[Osmium]

Scientists already have well-defined terminology for many of the crystal structures described, the LK-99 is just a shorthand for this synthesis product (and a convenient one at that, for anyone trying to keep up with the latest). I wouldn’t be too concerned!

Part of the reason we’re not using a full formula yet is that we don’t precisely know what it is (or, indeed, if it’s just one thing at all; the linked paper makes a good argument that this will necessarily be a mix of multiple phases if synthesized as-described). Once we know what it is, we can use one of several existing names.

[kijin]

There should be a middle ground somewhere between an unwieldy chemical formula and a catchy product-like name.

For example 3,4-MDMA is a useful shorthand for people who want to be precise as to which isomer they're talking about, but don't want to spell out 3,4-methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine every time.