Friedrich Wöhler

German chemist known for synthesizing urea

Friedrich Wöhler (31 July 1800 – 23 September 1882) was a pioneering German chemist, best known for his synthesis of urea, a landmark event in the history of organic chemistry. This synthesis demonstrated that organic compounds could be created from inorganic substances, challenging the prevailing belief in "vitalism"—the idea that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms.

Early Life and Education

Friedrich Wöhler was born in Eschersheim, which is now part of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He initially studied medicine at the University of Marburg and later at the University of Heidelberg, where he developed an interest in chemistry. Wöhler's passion for chemistry led him to study under the renowned chemist Jöns Jakob Berzelius in Stockholm, Sweden.

Career and Research

Wöhler's career was marked by significant contributions to the field of chemistry. In 1828, while working at the University of Göttingen, he synthesized urea from ammonium cyanate, a process that became known as the "Wöhler synthesis." This experiment was pivotal because it was the first time an organic compound was synthesized from inorganic materials, thus refuting the theory of vitalism.

Synthesis of Urea

File:Urea-2D-flat.png

Structural formula of urea

The synthesis of urea was a groundbreaking discovery. Wöhler heated ammonium cyanate, an inorganic compound, and observed the formation of urea, an organic compound found in the urine of animals. This experiment demonstrated that organic molecules could be synthesized from inorganic precursors, laying the foundation for modern organic chemistry.

Other Contributions

Wöhler made numerous other contributions to chemistry, including the isolation of the elements aluminum and beryllium. He also worked on the synthesis of calcium carbide and the discovery of silicon nitride. His collaboration with Justus von Liebig led to the development of the benzoyl radical theory, which was crucial in the understanding of organic radicals.

Later Life and Legacy

Wöhler spent much of his later career as a professor at the University of Göttingen, where he continued to teach and conduct research. He was highly regarded by his students and colleagues for his dedication to science and education.

Wöhler's work had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry, particularly in the development of organic chemistry. His synthesis of urea is often cited as the beginning of modern organic chemistry, and his methods and discoveries continue to influence the field today.

Related Pages

• Organic chemistry
• Vitalism
• Jöns Jakob Berzelius
• Justus von Liebig