Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 23 September 1882 | (aged 82)
Nationality | German |
Education | Heidelberg University |
Known for | Organic chemistry Cocrystal Isomerism Wöhler synthesis Wöhler process |
Spouses |
|
Children | 6 |
Awards | Adolph Wilhelm Hermann Kolbe Georg Ludwig Carius Albert Niemann Vojtěch Šafařík Carl Schmidt Bernhard Tollens Theodor Zincke |
Other notable students | Augustus Voelcker Wilhelm Kühne James Curtis Booth |
Friedrich Wöhler (German:
Wöhler is also known for seminal contributions in organic chemistry, in particular, the Wöhler synthesis of urea.[2] His synthesis of the organic compound urea in the laboratory from inorganic substances contradicted the belief that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms due to a "life force".[1] However, the exact extent of Wöhler's role in diminishing the belief in vitalism is considered by some to be questionable.[3]
Biography
Friedrich Wöhler was born in
On 2 September 1823, Wöhler passed his examinations as a Doctor of Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics at
From 1826 to 1831, Wöhler taught chemistry at the
Contributions to chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Wöhler investigated more than twenty‐five
In 1828 Wöhler was the first to isolate the element beryllium in pure metallic form (also independently isolated by Antoine Bussy).[5][14] In the same year, he became the first to isolate the element yttrium in pure metallic form.[15] He achieved these preparations by heating the anhydrous chlorides of beryllium and yttrium with potassium metal.[6]
In 1850, Wöhler determined that what was believed until then to be metallic
Wöhler, working with French chemist
Wöhler had an interest in the chemical composition of
Organic chemistry
In 1832, lacking his own laboratory facilities at Kassel, Wöhler worked with
Liebig and Wöhler explored the concept of chemical isomerism, the idea that two chemical compounds with identical chemical compositions could be different substances because of different arrangements of the atoms in the chemical structure.[1] Aspects of chemical isomerism originated in the research of Berzelius. Liebig and Wöhler investigated silver fulminate and silver cyanate. These two compounds have the same chemical composition yet are chemically different. Silver fulminate is explosive, while silver cyanate is a stable compound. Liebig and Wöhler recognized these as examples of structural isomerism, which was a significant advance in understanding chemical isomerism.[19]
Wöhler has also been regarded as a pioneering researcher in organic chemistry as a result of his 1828 demonstration of the laboratory synthesis of urea from ammonium cyanate, in a chemical reaction that came to be known as the "Wöhler synthesis".[5][20][21] Urea and ammonium cyanate are further examples of structural isomers of chemical compounds. Heating ammonium cyanate converts it into urea, which is its isomer. In a letter to Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius the same year, he wrote, 'In a manner of speaking, I can no longer hold my chemical water. I must tell you that I can make urea without the use of kidneys of any animal, be it man or dog.'[22]
Wöhler's demonstration of urea synthesis has become regarded as a refutation of vitalism, the hypothesis that living things are alive because of some special "vital force". It was the beginning of the end for one popular vitalist hypothesis, the idea that "organic" compounds could be made only by living things. In responding to Wöhler, Jöns Jakob Berzelius acknowledged that Wöhler's results were highly significant for the understanding of organic chemistry, calling the findings a "jewel" for Wöhler's "laurel wreath". Both scientists also recognized the work's importance to the study of
Wöhler's role in overturning vitalism is said to have become exaggerated over time. This tendency can be traced back to Hermann Kopp's History of Chemistry (in four volumes, 1843–1847). He emphasized the importance of Wöhler's research as a refutation of vitalism but ignored its importance in understanding chemical isomerism, setting a tone for subsequent writers.[23] The notion that Wöhler single-handedly overturned vitalism also gained popularity after it appeared in a popular history of chemistry published in 1931, which, "ignoring all pretense of historical accuracy, turned Wöhler into a crusader".[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]
Contrary to what was thought in Wöhler's time, cyanate is not a purely inorganic anion, as it is formed in various metabolic pathways.[32] Thus the conversion of ammonium cyanate into urea was not an example of production of an organic compound from an inorganic precursor.
Education Reform
Once Wöhler became a professor at the University of Göttingen, students traveled from around the world to be instructed by him. Wöhler saw particular success in his students after giving them hands-on experience in the lab. This practice was later adopted around the world, becoming the chemistry lab co-requisite that is required at most universities today.
Wöhler also allowed his students to participate and aid him in his research, which was not typical at the time. This practice became nearly universal, normalizing the undergraduate and graduate-level research that is a requirement for numerous degrees today.[33]
Final days and legacy
Wöhler's discoveries had a significant influence on the theoretical basis of chemistry. The journals of every year from 1820 to 1881 contain his original scientific contributions. The Scientific American supplement for 1882 stated that "for two or three of his researches he deserves the highest honor a scientific man can obtain, but the sum of his work is overwhelming. Had he never lived, the aspect of chemistry would be very different from that it is now".[34]
Wöhler's notable research students included chemists
Wöhler was elected a
The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882) (2005) by Robin Keen is considered to be "the first detailed scientific biography" of Wöhler.[9]
On the 100th anniversary of Wöhler's death, the West German government issued a stamp depicting the structure of urea with its synthesis formula listed directly below.[39]
Family
Wöhler's first marriage was in 1828,[40] to his cousin Franziska Maria Wöhler (1811–1832). The couple had two children, a son (August) and a daughter (Sophie). After Franziska's death, he married Julie Pfeiffer (1813–1886) in 1834,[41] with whom he had four daughters: Fanny, Helene, Emilie, and Pauline.[42]
Further works
Further works from Wöhler:
- Lehrbuch der Chemie, Dresden, 1825, 4 vols, OCLC 5150170
- Grundriss der Anorganischen Chemie, Berlin, 1830, OCLC 970005145
- Grundriss der Chemie, Berlin, 1837–1858 Vol.1&2 Digital edition by the University and State Library Düsseldorf
- Grundriss der Organischen Chemie, Berlin, 1840
- Praktische Übungen in der Chemischen Analyse, Berlin, 1854, OCLC 254555919
- Early Recollections of a Chemist, 1875
- Nuovo Cimento, 1855-1868 Vol. 1-28
See also
- Benzoin condensation
- History of aluminium
- Stanley Miller
- Hilaire Marin Rouelle
- Kassel
- Structural Isomer
References
- ^ a b c "Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Wöhler". sciencehistory.org. Science History Institute. June 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ Keen, Robin (2005). Buttner, Johannes (ed.). The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882) (PDF). Bautz.
- ^ Ball, Philip. "Urea and the Wohler Myth". BBC.
- The World Publishing Company. pp. 175–198.
- ^ a b c d Weeks, Mary Elvira (1956). The discovery of the elements (6th ed.). Easton, PA: Journal of Chemical Education.
- ^ ISBN 978-1888262131.
- S2CID 93425404.
- ISSN 0199-9818.
- ^ doi:10.1086/519116.
- ^ "Aluminum". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-4766-2564-5.
- ^ "Aluminum Discovery and Extraction – A Brief History". The Aluminum Smelting Process. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "ALUMINIUM HISTORY". All about aluminium. UC RUSAL. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ "Beryllium". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Yttrium". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Saltzman, Martin D. "Wöhler, Friedrich". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Titanium". Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Deville, H.; Wohler, F. (1857). "Erstmalige Erwähnung von Si3N4". Liebigs Ann. Chem. 104: 256.
- .
- ^ Rabinovich, Daniel (2007). "Wöhler's Masterpiece". Chemistry International. 29 (5). Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- doi:10.1002/andp.18280880206. — Available in English at: "Chem Team".
- ISBN 978-3-507-86192-3. Translated from original: "Ich kann, so zu sagen, mein chemisches Wasser nicht halten und muss ihnen sagen, daß ich Harnstoff machen kann, ohne dazu Nieren oder überhaupt ein Thier, sey es Mensch oder Hund, nöthig zu haben."
- ^ ISBN 978-0520081109.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - S2CID 44613876.
- S2CID 4086935.
- .
- .
- .
- ^ Johannes Uray: Die Wöhlersche Harnstoffsynthese und das wissenschaftliche Weltbild. Graz, Leykam, 2009.
- ^ Uray, Johannes (2010). "Die Wöhlersche Harnstoffsynhtese und das Wissenschaftliche Weltbild – Analyse eines Mythos". Mensch, Wissenschaft, Magie. 27: 121–152.
- ^ Ramberg, Peter, "Myth 7. That Friedrich Wöhler's Synthesis of Urea in 1828 Destroyed Vitalism and Gave Rise to Organic Chemistry" eds. Numbers, Ronald L., and Kostas Kampourakis, Newton's apple and other myths about science. Harvard university press, 2015, 59–66.
- S2CID 236993568.
- ^ "Friedrich Wöhler | German chemist | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ Scientific American Supplement No. 362, 9 Dec 1882. Fullbooks.com. Retrieved on 28 May 2014.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/28345. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) The first edition of this text is available at Wikisource: . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ^ "Portrait of Frederick Wohler". royalsociety.org. The Royal Society. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Volume 27 ed.). Royal Society of Edinburgh. p. xvi.
- ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- PMID 3897732. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
- ^ "Friedrich Wöhler". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Hessian Biography: Wöhler, Friedrich". Hessian Regional History Information System. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
Further reading
- Keen, Robin (2005). Buttner, Johannes (ed.). The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882) (PDF). Bautz.
- Johannes Valentin: Friedrich Wöhler. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart ("Grosse Naturforscher" 7) 1949.
- Georg Schwedt: Der Chemiker Friedrich Wöhler. Hischymia 2000.
External links
- Popular Science Monthly. Vol. 17.
- Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911. .
- New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
.
- Dittmar, William (1888). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (9th ed.). .
- The American Cyclopædia. 1879.
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- Works by or about Friedrich Wöhler at Internet Archive