Periodic table of elements, Mendeleev's periodic table: history, achievements and problems

This paper, devoted to the yubilee of Mendeleev’s table, deals with a set of historical and physico-chemical problems related it. Basing on the evolutional approach to the development of the concept of “elements and structure” and up to the appearance of the notion “complexity” we discuss the applicability of Mendeleev’s table to the understanding of modern aspects of science such as “nano”, “fractals”, “synergetics” and “hirality”. The problems which are open for further research are revealed and the particular importance of their development for the condensed matter science of living and nonliving matter is pointed out.