  This paper is concerned with the application of the group SO(4,2)xSU(2) to
the periodic table of chemical elements. It is shown how the Madelung rule of
the atomic shell model can be used for setting up a periodic table that can be
further rationalized via the group SO(4,2)xSU(2) and some of its subgroups.
Qualitative results are obtained from the table and the general lines of a
programme for a quantitative approach to the properties of chemical elements
are developed on the basis of the group SO(4,2)xSU(2).
