2001/03/09 by George B. Kauffman, Steven H. Chooljian · 3 citations
Chemistry · Environmental Science · #History and advancements in chemistry #Chemistry and Chemical Engineering #Various Chemistry Research Topics
paper · doi:10.1007/s00897010444a
openalex publication_date 2001/03/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
The life and contributions to various areas of chemistry of German chemist Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882) are briefly sketched. His serendipitous synthesis of urea from ammonium cyanate in 1828, which is dealt with in some detail, challenged the vitalistic theory that organic compounds can be produced only by living organisms and led to today’s synthetic chemical industry and its host of products that we take for granted.