Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers Greater than 100-Periodic Table Class 11 Notes

Anand Classes Class 11 Notes of Elements with atomic numbers greater than 100 are synthetic, man-made superheavy elements that do not occur naturally and are produced in laboratories or nuclear reactors. Since their discovery often led to naming disputes, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) introduced a systematic nomenclature based on the digits of the atomic number. According to this system, each digit is replaced with a specific prefix and the name ends with “-ium”, ensuring unique temporary names and symbols until permanent names are officially assigned.

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📘 Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers Greater than 100

(Transactinide / Superheavy Elements)

Background & Why a Systematic Naming Was Needed

• Elements with atomic number (Z) > 100 are not found naturally in stable form; they are synthetic, produced in particle accelerators or nuclear reactors.
• Early discoveries were often claimed by different research groups, leading to conflicts over naming (e.g., priority disputes).
• To avoid ambiguity, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) introduced a systematic temporary nomenclature based solely on the atomic number.
• This ensured a consistent, unambiguous temporary name until a discovery was validated and a permanent official name could be approved.

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📘 IUPAC Systematic (Temporary) Naming Rules

The temporary name for any element with Z > 100 is constructed directly from its digits using specific Latin/Greek-derived numerical roots, followed by the suffix “-ium”.

Step-by-step rule:

1. Break the atomic number into its individual digits.
   Example: 115 → digits are 1, 1, 5.
2. Replace each digit with the corresponding prefix from the table below (in order):

Digit	Prefix
0	nil
1	un
2	bi
3	tri
4	quad
5	pent
6	hex
7	sept
8	oct
9	enn

3. Concatenate these prefixes in the same order as the digits and add the suffix “-ium”.
   So, 115 → un (1) + un (1) + pent (5) → ununpentium.
4. Apply vowel contraction if necessary:
   If concatenation leads to two identical vowels in a row, typically one is dropped to make pronunciation smoother.
   • E.g., “bi + un” would be biun (not biiun).
   • Rare cases are handled to avoid awkward double vowels.
5. Symbol formation:
   The symbol is formed by taking the first letter of each numerical prefix, capitalizing the first, and using the next letters in lowercase if needed to avoid ambiguity.
   • Example: ununpentium → prefixes are un, un, pent → symbol Uup (U-u-p).
6. Final name ends with “-ium.”
   Every systematic temporary name ends in “-ium” regardless of the element’s chemical character.

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📘 Examples of Temporary Names

Atomic Number	Systematic Temporary Name	Symbol (temporary)
101	unnilunium	Unu
102	unnilbium	Unb
103	unniltrium	Unt
104	unnilquadium	Unq
105	unnilpentium	Unp
106	unnilhexium	Unh
107	unnilseptium	Uns
108	unniloctium	Uno
109	unnilennium	Une
110	ununnilium	Uun
111	unununium	Uuu
112	ununbium	Uub
113	ununtrium	Uut
114	ununquadium	Uuq
115	ununpentium	Uup
116	ununhexium	Uuh
117	ununseptium	Uus
118	ununoctium	Uuo

(Note: These were temporary names used before official names were ratified.)

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📘 Transition to Permanent Official Names

• Once an element’s discovery was confirmed through peer-reviewed evidence and vetted by IUPAC/IUPAP joint working groups, a permanent name was proposed, typically based on:
  • A scientist (e.g., Seaborgium, after Glenn T. Seaborg),
  • A place (e.g., Darmstadtium, after Darmstadt),
  • A mythological concept, or
  • A property (less common for superheavy).
• After a period of public review, the name becomes official and replaces the temporary systematic name. Symbols likewise are updated to the permanent two-letter (or sometimes one-letter) symbols.

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📘 Table: Elements Z = 101 to 118 with Temporary & Official Names

Z	Temporary Name	Temp. Symbol	Official Name	Official Symbol
101	Unnilunium	Unu	Mendelevium	Md
102	Unnilbium	Unb	Nobelium	No
103	Unniltrium	Unt	Lawrencium	Lr
104	Unnilquadium	Unq	Rutherfordium	Rf
105	Unnilpentium	Unp	Dubnium	Db
106	Unnilhexium	Unh	Seaborgium	Sg
107	Unnilseptium	Uns	Bohrium	Bh
108	Unniloctium	Uno	Hassium	Hs
109	Unnilennium	Une	Meitnerium	Mt
110	Ununnilium	Uun	Darmstadtium	Ds
111	Unununium	Uuu	Roentgenium	Rg
112	Ununbium	Uub	Copernicium	Cn
113	Ununtrium	Uut	Nihonium	Nh
114	Ununquadium	Uuq	Flerovium	Fl
115	Ununpentium	Uup	Moscovium	Mc
116	Ununhexium	Uuh	Livermorium	Lv
117	Ununseptium	Uus	Tennessine	Ts
118	Ununoctium	Uuo	Oganesson	Og

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📘 Symbol Formation Clarified

• Temporary symbols are typically three-letter abbreviations derived from the initial letters of each prefix (e.g., Uup from un-un-pent).
• Official symbols are usually one- or two-letter symbols chosen to reflect the official name, following traditional chemical symbol conventions (capitalized first letter, second letter lowercase).

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📘 Pronunciation & Usage Tips

• Temporary names were intentionally systematic and sometimes awkward to pronounce; students should remember:
  • Break the name into its numeric prefix components (e.g., ununpentium = un-un-pent-ium).
  • For writing & exams, know both the temporary (for historical/definition questions) and the official name (current usage).

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📘 Key Points for Examination

• The systematic IUPAC temporary name is derived directly from the digits of the atomic number using fixed prefixes and ends in “-ium.”
• Example: Z = 118 → un (1) + un (1) + oct (8) → ununoctium → official name Oganesson (Og).
• Permanent names are given after verification and usually honor scientists, places, or features.
• Temporary symbols are three-letter; official symbols are standardized (mostly two-letter).

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📘 Quick Revision Mnemonic for Prefixes

0 = nil, 1 = un, 2 = bi, 3 = tri, 4 = quad, 5 = pent, 6 = hex, 7 = sept, 8 = oct, 9 = enn
(You could remember: “No Unicorns Bring Triangular Quadruple Perfect Hexagonal Septagon On Earth” — first letters approximate nil, un, bi, tri, quad, pent, hex, sept, oct, enn.)

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📘 Nomenclature of Elements (Z = 101–118): Temporary vs Permanent Names

Atomic Number (Z)	Temporary IUPAC Name	Temporary Symbol	Permanent Name	Permanent Symbol
101	Unnilunium	Unu	Mendelevium	Md
102	Unnilbium	Unb	Nobelium	No
103	Unniltrium	Unt	Lawrencium	Lr
104	Unnilquadium	Unq	Rutherfordium	Rf
105	Unnilpentium	Unp	Dubnium	Db
106	Unnilhexium	Unh	Seaborgium	Sg
107	Unnilseptium	Uns	Bohrium	Bh
108	Unniloctium	Uno	Hassium	Hs
109	Unnilennium	Une	Meitnerium	Mt
110	Ununnilium	Uun	Darmstadtium	Ds
111	Unununium	Uuu	Roentgenium	Rg
112	Ununbium	Uub	Copernicium	Cn
113	Ununtrium	Uut	Nihonium	Nh
114	Ununquadium	Uuq	Flerovium	Fl
115	Ununpentium	Uup	Moscovium	Mc
116	Ununhexium	Uuh	Livermorium	Lv
117	Ununseptium	Uus	Tennessine	Ts
118	Ununoctium	Uuo	Oganesson	Og

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✨ Key Takeaways for Students

• Temporary names were systematic, number-based (e.g., Ununpentium = 115).
• Permanent names honor scientists (Mendelevium, Seaborgium), places (Dubnium, Darmstadtium, Moscovium, Tennessine), or concepts.
• Official symbols are short (1–2 letters), unlike temporary ones (3 letters).
• Today, all elements up to Z = 118 have official names.

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❓ FAQs on Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers > 100

Why do elements with atomic number greater than 100 need special nomenclature?

Answer:
Because many of these superheavy elements are synthetic and discovered in different labs, their naming often caused disputes. To avoid confusion, IUPAC introduced a systematic temporary naming system based on atomic numbers until permanent names are approved.

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What is the general rule for naming elements with Z > 100?

Answer:
Each digit of the atomic number is replaced by a prefix (derived from Latin/Greek), combined in order, followed by the suffix “-ium.”

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What prefixes are used for digits 0–9 in the IUPAC system?

Answer:

Digit	Prefix	Symbol
0	nil	n
1	un	u
2	bi	b
3	tri	t
4	quad	q
5	pent	p
6	hex	h
7	sept	s
8	oct	o
9	enn	e

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How is the symbol of a temporary name decided?

Answer:
The symbol is formed from the first letters of the prefixes (capitalizing the first), e.g., ununpentium (115) → Uup.

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Give an example of temporary and permanent names.

Answer:

• Z = 114 → Temporary: ununquadium (Uuq) → Permanent: Flerovium (Fl).
• Z = 118 → Temporary: ununoctium (Uuo) → Permanent: Oganesson (Og).

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Why do some heavier elements show awkward names like “unununium”?

Answer:
Because their atomic numbers have repeating digits, leading to repeating prefixes (e.g., 111 → un-un-un → unununium).

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Who decides the permanent name of an element?

Answer:
Permanent names are decided and approved by IUPAC after confirming the element’s discovery. The name usually honors a scientist, place, or property.

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What is the current range of officially named elements?

Answer:
As of now, elements are named up to Z = 118 (Oganesson, Og). Beyond that, elements are still under research and have no confirmed permanent names.

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