Names and Chemical Symbols of the Elements with Atomic Numbers 43, 85, 87, 95, and 96

As a result of extensive work on the transmutation of elements, in addition to numerous isotopes of previously known elements, new elements have appeared, filling places in the periodic system that had remained unoccupied until very recently. These new, artificially created elements are entering into the usage of modern chemistry and physics alongside the stable “natural” elements, and in connection with this the need has become urgent to assign them names and chemical symbols. In recent months the following names and symbols have been proposed for the following elements:

K. Perrier and E. Segrè, who in 1937 obtained element 43 by neutron bombardment of molybdenum, proposed naming it “technetium”—symbol “Te”—(technetium), from the Greek τεχνητός, emphasizing the fact that it is the first artificially created element.

D. R. Corson, K. R. Mackenzie, and E. Segrè, who in 1940 prepared an isotope of element 85 with mass 211, proposed, by analogy with its lighter halogen homologs—chlorine (chlorine), bromine (bromine), and iodine (iodine)—to name it “astatine”—symbol At—(astatine), from the Greek word ἄστατος, unstable.

F. A. Paneth, in agreement with M. Perey, who discovered element 87 in 1939, proposed naming it “francium”—symbol Fa—(francium) by analogy with polonium.

G. T. Seaborg, R. A. James, L. O. Morgan, and A. Ghiorso, who discovered and investigated, with the participation of J. G. Hamilton and his group of physicists, elements 95 and 96 in 1945, assigned them, by analogy with their lighter homologs—europium and gadolinium, the names: element 95—“americium” (Americium)—symbol Am, element 96—“curium” (Curium)—symbol Cm.

The question of the name and symbol for the element with atomic number 61 remains open for the time being.

G. R.