Friedrich Wöhler
Friedrich Wöhler | |
|---|---|
Friedrich Wöhler, c. 1856 | |
| Born | 31 July 1800 |
| Died | 23 September 1882 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | German |
| Education | Heidelberg University |
| Known for | Organic chemistry Benzoin condensation Cocrystal Discovery of sodium tungsten bronze Hydroquinone Isocyanic acid Isolation of beryllium Isolation of yttrium Isomerism Wöhler synthesis Wöhler process |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 6 |
| Awards | Cothenius Medal (1880) Copley Medal (1872) Pour le Mérite (1864) ForMemRS (1854) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Organic chemistry Biochemistry |
| Institutions | Berliner Gewerbeschule Höhere Gewerbeschule at Kassel University of Göttingen |
| Doctoral advisor | Leopold Gmelin Jöns Jakob Berzelius |
| Doctoral students | Heinrich Limpricht Rudolph Fittig 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 FRS(For) HonFRSE (German: [ˈvøːlɐ]; 31 July 1800 – 23 September 1882) was a German chemist known for his work in both organic and inorganic chemistry, being the first to isolate the chemical elements beryllium and yttrium in pure metallic form. He was the first to prepare several inorganic compounds, including silane and silicon nitride.
Wöhler is also known for seminal contributions in organic chemistry, in particular, the Wöhler synthesis of urea. 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". However, the exact extent of Wöhler's role in diminishing the belief in vitalism is considered by some to be questionable.