Names and Symbols of the Elements with Atomic Numbers 114 and 116
Prepared by R.D. Loss and J. Corish
A joint IUPAC/IUPAP Working Party (JWP) has confirmed the discovery of the elements with atomic numbers 114 and 116. In accord with IUPAC procedures, the discoverers proposed names as follows: flerovium and symbol, Fl, for the element with Z = 114 and livermorium with the symbol Lv for the element with Z = 116. The Inorganic Chemistry Division recommended these proposals for acceptance.
For element with atomic number 114, the proposal lies within tradition and honours the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions where superheavy elements are synthesised. Georgiy N. Flerov (1913–1990) was a renowned physicist, author of the discovery of the spontaneous fission of uranium (1940, with Konstantin A. Petrzhak), pioneer in heavy-ion physics; and founder in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (1957).
For the element with atomic number 116, the proposed name livermorium is again in line with tradition and honours the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A group of researchers of this Laboratory with the heavy element research group of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions took part in the work carried out in Dubna on the synthesis of superheavy elements including element 116.