M E M O R A N D U M

TO:          Executive Board of the Division of Polymer chemistry (POLY)

FROM:        Edward (Ted) S. Wilks

SUBJECT: Nomenclature Committee's Report 

DATE:        26th July 1999

As of March, 1999 Ted Wilks took over from Val Metanomski as Committee 
chairperson; this is his first semi-annual report.  Val is still active on the 
Committee, and he plans to work on the compilation of the POLY history for its 
50th anniversary. 

Wilks reviewed the Committee membership: 
* Tony Brennan regrettably tendered his resignation
* Kris Matyjaszewski wishes to become inactive with regard to Committee 
meetings, but said that he is available for consultation if needed; he wishes to 
receive copies of Committee activities
* Bob Fox, Kurt Loening, Val Metanomski, Les Sperling, and Bill Work remain 
active 
Additionally, there are potential new members (see below).

Wilks has submitted Macromolecular Nomenclature Notes No. 17, entitled "Whither 
Nomenclature?", for publication in Volume 40(2) of Polymer Preprints.  This 
article summarizes the current situation with regard to polymer nomenclature and 
asks what we can expect for the future.  The article lists (1) most of the 
important publications in the many polymer fields for which nomenclature and 
terminology are well established and documented; (2) selected books, 
encyclopedias, and journals containing polymer nomenclature articles; and (3) 
polymer fields for which nomenclature and terminology are now under 
consideration or being prepared (all of the activities in this group are IUPAC-
originated).  Readers are invited to participate with regard to polymer 
nomenclature matters.

The Committee continues to promote polymer-nomenclature recommendations, 
especially those of the IUPAC Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature 
(Commission IV.1).  The Committee monitors how the macromolecular nomenclature 
matters are explained and discussed in various textbooks and handbooks, and 
offers suggestions for improvements.  Individual questions from POLY members and 
requests to help in the naming of polymers are answered promptly. 

Four Committee members (Fox, Metanomski, Wilks, and Work) continue to be active 
members of the IUPAC Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature.  Topics in 
various stages of development, for which they are directly responsible, include: 

* Definitions of Terms Related to Polymer Blends and Multi-Phase Polymeric 
Materials (Project 24/93)
* Nomenclature for Threaded Macrocyclic Molecules (Catenanes & Rotaxanes) 
(Feasibility Study F-20) 
* Glossary of Polymer Class Names (Project 30/97)
* Source-Based Nomenclature for Modified Polymer Molecules (Feasibility Study F-
19)
* Structure-Based Nomenclature for Cyclic Macromolecules (Project 29/97)

In connection with the fifth item listed above, Dr. John L. Schultz (DuPont 
retiree), who worked for many years in information science and is an expert in 
polymer nomenclature, has contributed significantly to a Schultz/Wilks version 
of the Cyclic Macromolecules Project, numbered pro tem 29/97A.  This and Fox's 
version (29/97) have been submitted to the IUPAC Commission IV.1 working party 
for their consideration.

A "general invitation" to polymer scientists world-wide was made available via 
an ACS web-site message; our thanks go to Frank Blum for his help in activating 
it.  The essential message was: "there is a need for people who have knowledge 
of, or an interest in, nomenclature or terminology to become actively involved 
in ACS or IUPAC activities connected with polymer nomenclature and terminology"; 
fourteen people responded.  A follow-up letter was sent to the currently active 
Committee members and the 14 who responded.  

It suggested that people should:
1. contact publishers of scientific books, journals, and magazines in the part 
of the world where they live, and offer the services of the ACS POLY Division 
Nomenclature Committee in the form of articles about polymer nomenclature
2. (for those in an academic environment) consider seriously the possibility of 
adding a polymer nomenclature course to the college or university curriculum, or 
improving or extending current one(s)

The letter also asked them for their ideas on the promotion of polymer 
nomenclature; to date, no one has responded to the follow-up letter.  Wilks 
plans to target each individual with (a) request(s) specifically geared to 
his/her environment and career.

Wilks has written to several publishers of scientific books and encyclopedias to 
suggest that, if their publications contain articles on polymers but nothing on 
polymer nomenclature, addition of suitable articles on this subject should be 
considered for future publications or revisions.  Letters were sent to:
* CRC Publications [e.g. Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia  (editor-in-chief J. 
Salamone)]
* Dekker (e.g. Emulsion Polymer Technology; Handbook of Polymer Synthesis; 
Polyelectrolytes)
* Elsevier USA 
* Encyclopedia Britannica
* Gordon & Breach (formerly Harwood Academic) (e.g. Polymer Year Book)
* McGraw Hill (e.g. Encyclopedia of Science and Technology)
* Technomic (e.g. Polymers: Structure and Properties; Advances in Urethane 
Science and Technology; Advances in Polyimide Science and Technology)
* Wiley Germany
* Wiley USA [e.g. Textbook of Polymer Science (3rd ed.; F. W. Billmeyer)]

To date, one positive response from McGraw Hill has been received (see 
appendix).

Appendix:

Hi Ted,

        I received your letter regarding an article on Polymer nomenclature.  We 
are interested and will contact you in a few weeks. I left a detailed message on 
your voice-mail today.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tomas Martin
Chemistry/Science Editor

McGraw-Hill
Professional Book Group
11 W. 19th Street
New York, NY 10011

Phone: (212) 337-5924
Fax    : (212) 337-5974
E-mail: tomas_martin@mcgraw-hill.com
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