Liebig–Wöhler Controversy and the Concept of Isomerism

Soledad Esteban
Departamento de Química Orgánica y Bio-Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (9), p 1201
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1201
Publication Date (Web): September 1, 2008
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Very often controversies contribute to the development of science. An example is the conflict between Liebig and Wöhler on the occasion of their analyses of fulminates and cyanates, which showed that compounds with different properties could have the same composition. Their results, together with other similar evidences, led Berzelius to recognize the phenomenon of isomerism, one of the fundamental concepts in organic chemistry, and the foundation of the study of structural chemistry. This little controversy was also the starting point for a long friendship between Liebig and Wöhler, often partners in work that gave rise to other important advances in chemistry. The story of the Liebig–Wöhler controversy and the historical development of isomerism make interesting anecdotal material for lectures and can help increase interest in science at the high school level.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

History / Philosophy

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Textbooks / Reference Books

Keywords (Subject):

Constitutional Isomers
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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