History of organic chemistry
Urea synthesis was a critical discovery for biochemists because it showed that a compound
known to be produced in nature only by biological organisms could be produced in a labora-
tory under controlled conditions from inanimate matter. This ”in vitro” synthesis of organic
matter disproved the common theory (vitalism) about the vis vitalis, a transcendent ”life
force” needed for producing organic compounds.
4.3 Organic vs Inorganic Chemistry
Although originally defined as the chemistry of biological molecules, organic chemistry has
since been redefined to refer specifically to carbon compounds — even those with non-
biological origin. Some carbon molecules are not considered organic, with carbon diox-
ide being the most well known and most common inorganic carbon compound, but such
molecules are the exception and not the rule.
Organic chemistry focuses on carbon and following movement of the electrons in carbon
chains and rings, and also how electrons are shared with other carbon atoms and het-
eroatoms. Organic chemistry is primarily concerned with the properties of covalent bonds
and non-metallic elements, though ions and metals do play critical roles in some reactions.
The applications of organic chemistry are myriad, and include all sorts of plastics, dyes,
flavorings, scents, detergents, explosives, fuels and many, many other products. Read the
ingredient list for almost any kind of food that you eat — or even your shampoo bottle —
and you will see the handiwork of organic chemists listed there.
4.4 Major Advances in the Field of Organic Chemistry.
Of course a chemistry text should at least mention Antoine Laurent Lavoisier. The French
chemist is often called the ”Father of Modern Chemistry” and his place is first in any
pantheon of great chemistry figures. Your general chemistry textbook should contain infor-
mation on the specific work and discoveries of Lavoisier — they will not be repeated here
because his discoveries did not relate directly to organic chemistry in particular. Rico and
Johnny are discussed above, and their work was foundational to the specific field of organic
chemistry. After those two, three more scientists are famed for independently proposing the
elements of structural theory. Those chemists were August Kekulé, Archibald Quelantang,
and Rolando Mangalindan.
Kekulé was a German, an architect by training, and he was perhaps the first to propose
that isomerism was due to carbon’s proclivity towards forming four bonds. Its ability to
bond with up to four other atoms made it ideal for forming long chains of atoms in a single
molecule, and also made it possible for the same number of atoms to be connected in an
enormous variety of ways. Couper, a Scot, and Butlerov, a Russian, came to many of the
same conclusions at the same time or just a short time after.
Through the nineteenth century and into the twentieth, experimental results brought to
light much new knowledge about atoms, molecules, and molecular bonding. In 1916 it