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ProfessorRichard Hartshorn

Professor

School of Physical & Chemical Sciences

Orcid identifier0000-0002-6737-6200 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Professor
    School of Physical & Chemical Sciences
  • +6433695157 (Work)
  • Julius von Haast - Room 630

IMPACT SUMMARY

Professor Richard Hartshorn has had a global impact on the chemical sciences through his leadership in the development of international standards for chemical nomenclature, structure representation, and scientific data management. His work through the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), including service as Secretary General (2016-2023) and President of the Division of Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation, has contributed to standards used by researchers, educators, publishers, industry, and regulatory agencies worldwide. 

A key contribution has been his authorship and leadership of the Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry (the "Red Book"), the internationally recognised reference for naming inorganic compounds. The Red Book is used globally in research, education, publishing, and industry and has been translated into multiple languages, extending its reach and supporting consistent communication of chemical knowledge across national and disciplinary boundaries.

 

Professor Hartshorn has also contributed to the development and governance of internationally adopted chemical information systems, including through leadership roles within IUPAC and the International Chemical Identifier (InChI) Trust. These standards enable the accurate exchange, discovery, and management of chemical information, supporting scientific research, innovation, regulatory processes, and digital technologies worldwide.

 

Through his combined contributions to chemical nomenclature, data standards, education, and international scientific leadership, Professor Hartshorn has strengthened the global infrastructure that underpins the communication, accessibility, and reproducibility of chemical science.

IMPACT

  • IMPACT INDICATOR
    Key publications translated into multiple languages
    Lead contributors for this impact:
    • Hartshorn R
    R. M. Hartshorn, K.-H. Hellwich, A. Yerin, T. Damhus, and A. T. Hutton, “Brief Guide to the Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry”, Pure Appl. Chem., 2015, 87(9-10), 1039-1049, http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/pac-2014-0718. Republished in: Chemistry International, 2015, 37(5-6): 37-40; Chemistry in New Zealand, 2015, 79(4): 187-190; C. E. Housecroft and A. G. Sharpe, “Inorganic Chemistry”, 5th Edition, Pearson, ISBN-10: 1292134143, ISBN-13: 9781292134147, 2018; Handbook of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 5th Edition, CRC Press, ISBN: 9781315314440, 2018. Translated into: Basque, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Galician, Slovak, Spanish K.-H. Hellwich, R. M. Hartshorn, A. Yerin, T. Damhus, and A. T. Hutton, “Brief Guide to the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry”, Pure Appl. Chem., 2020: 92(3), 527–539, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0104. Translated into: Basque, Catalan, Galician, Slovak, Spanish N. G. Connelly, T. Damhus, R. M. Hartshorn, A. T. Hutton, “Nomenclature of Inorganic Chemistry”, Royal Society of Chemistry, ISBN 0-85404-438-8. 2005, 366 pages. Translated into: Czech, Portuguese, Japanese, Bulgarian, Slovenian, Spanish