Friedrich Wöhler
Early Life and Education
Friedrich Wöhler was born on July 31, 1800, in Eschersheim, a suburb of Frankfurt am Main. He was the son of a veterinarian and showed an early interest in science and nature. Wöhler attended the University of Marburg and later the University of Heidelberg, where he studied medicine. However, his interest in chemistry led him to transfer to the University of Berlin in 1823, where he studied under the famous chemist Leopold Gmelin.
Career and Achievements
In 1825, Wöhler was appointed a lecturer at the University of Berlin. During this time, he conducted research with Justus von Liebig, a prominent German chemist. Together, they discovered the transformation of urea into ammonium cyanate, a groundbreaking discovery that challenged the prevailing theory of vitalism in organic chemistry.
In 1836, Wöhler was appointed professor of chemistry at the University of Göttingen, a position he held until his death in 1882. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the field of inorganic chemistry. He was the first to isolate several chemical elements, including aluminium and yttrium, and he discovered the process for producing aluminium on a large scale.
Wöhler is perhaps best known for his synthesis of urea in 1828, which was a significant milestone in the history of chemistry. This was the first time an organic compound had been synthesized from inorganic materials, disproving the theory of vitalism which held that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms.
Legacy
Wöhler's work had a profound impact on the field of chemistry. His synthesis of urea marked the beginning of organic chemistry as a separate field of study. His methods and discoveries laid the groundwork for future chemists and continue to be relevant in modern chemical research.
In recognition of his contributions, several awards and honors have been named after him. The Wöhler-Band, a German chemical society, and the Wöhler Medal, awarded by the German Chemical Society, are both named in his honor.