



Celebrating the periodic table

Dmitri Mendeleev published his periodic system for classifying all the known elements 150 years ago. That system gave birth to the periodic table we've come to know and love. To celebrate this anniversary, the United Nations General Assembly and UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization proclaimed 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements. C&EN is joining the celebration by releasing original content—features, videos, photos, and more—throughout 2019.

#PeriodicPoetry contest winners announced

3 standout poems embody the beauty of the periodic table and its 118 elements

How the periodic table changed my life

YouTube star Sir Martyn Poliakoff and other essayists share personal stories about how the elements have shaped their worlds

Element collecting: A niche hobby that connects people to chemistry

Enthusiasts assemble personal museums of metals, minerals, and other matter as they strive to collect them all

39 elements in 10 days

A historical periodic table road trip

Kit Chapman tells stories of the superheavy elements﻿

The science journalist’s new book explores the people and places at the edge of the periodic table

To get noble gases to forge bonds, chemists go to extremes

Despite challenging conditions and a lack of funding, some researchers still see rewards in coaxing reactivity from these nearly inert elements

Exploring the superheavy elements at the end of the periodic table

These scientists want to know how elements 104 through 118 look and behave

Periodic Graphics: The origins of the elements

Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning shines a light on how the big bang and reactions in stars forged the elements

Honoring the periodic table with pub trivia and Peeps

A periodic table of signal flags

Podcast: Scientists share what it takes to make a superheavy element

Inspired by a recent periodic table–themed pub trivia event, Stereo Chemistry explores the stories behind isolating some of the heaviest elements known

Periodic Graphics: Essential elements for humans

Chemical educator and Compound Interest blogger Andy Brunning shines a light on the parts of the periodic table that make life possible﻿

The International Year of the Periodic Table trivia quiz

A towering testament to scientists’ powers of prediction, the periodic table helps us make sense of the chemical elements. You’ve probably seen it scores of times before, but how well do you really know this iconic table? Try testing your knowledge here.

Chemistry in Pictures: Tiny periodic table


Constructing the periodic table from thread and yarn


Meet the 'I Spy a Periodic Table' Readers’ Choice winner

High school chemistry teacher Lauren Langman inspires chemists of all ages

Chemists explore the periodic table’s actinide frontier

Investigations of the table’s shadowy realms are enjoying a renaissance

Announcing the "I Spy a Periodic Table" photo contest results

In celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table, we picked our top entries. Vote for your favorite and view all the submissions

The International Year of the Periodic Table officially kicks off in Paris

Opening ceremony features periodic tables galore, musical performances, and scientific talks

Sketch Chemistry: Knights of the Periodic Table

To see more Sketch Chemistry, visit



2019: The year the periodic table gets its due

Join C&EN as we celebrate 150 years of chemistry’s most iconic symbol

From our archives

To celebrate the International Year of the Periodic Table, C&EN is re-releasing its favorite essays from our 2003 collectors’ issue honoring the elements. Read the essay we release each month at the C&EN Archives site.