Contribution of a Scientist: August Kukulé

Erin Fletcher 

Area(s) of Specialty: Chemical structure of organic chemistry

Examples of research he has done:

The first discovery made by Kukulé was in 1857 where he published a paper on the tetravalence theory of carbon atoms. This theory states that carbon atoms have four valence electrons and will share electrons with other atoms as well as with other carbon atoms. This carbon to carbon atom bonding will form carbon chains or carbon skeletons which can then bond to other atoms like oxygen or hydrogen atoms and create organic molecules.

Kukulé’s second discovery in 1865 was largely built off the first, where he discovered the shape and bond types in benzene. Scientists already knew that the chemical formula of benzene was C₆H₆ however they were unsure of its shape.  Due to his previous conclusion, the tetravalence theory of carbon atoms, Kukulé knew that it was impossible for benzene to have a straight carbon chain structure. It was for this reason that Kukulé concluded that benzene had a ring like structure with alternating double and single bonds. This discovery opened up a new field of chemistry called aromatic chemistry. 

Other information to note:

August Kukulé was a German chemist (born September 7^th, 1829 and died July 13, 1896) who studied the chemical structure of molecules, particularly organic ones. Kukulé started out studying architecture as he enjoyed drawing at school, and later switched to chemistry in university. For most of his career he worked in universities in Europe teaching and studying chemistry. He was a professor at Ghent University in Belgium and later became a chairman at the University of Bonn for nine years.

What does this make you wonder further about?

This makes me wonder how we would classify compounds if organic molecules and inorganic molecules were discovered at the same time. Would we still classify them into organic and inorganic groups? Furthermore if the structure of benzene rings had been delayed what sorts of materials and goods might not have been developed, for example would nylon fibers exist?

 

Sources used: “Home”. Famous Scientist. https://www.famousscientists.org/friedrich-august-kekule/  

          Rocke, Alan J. “August Kekule Von Stradonitz.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 3 Sept. 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/August-Kekule-von-Stradonitz

         “August Kekulé.” August Kekulé - New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/August_Kekul%C3%A9.