Aromatic terminology. Highlighting the keywords polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs)

The present Review on aromatic terminology was prompted by a recent series of articles exploring the chemical space of polycyclic aromatic systems and introducing new related keywords. The keywords polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are highlighted. Keywords and other entities relevant to PAHs and PACs are outlined. The article calls the community of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic compounds to use these two leading keywords and their acronyms PAHs and PACs and the accompanying keyword benzenoid hydrocarbons, but to refrain from using and coining related new and previously proposed similar general keywords. This recommendation does not rule out keywords combining ‘polycyclic aromatic’ and a specific functionality, e.g., polycyclic aromatic ketones.