Lewis, David E. (Author)
This rather lengthy paper by Butlerov sought to bolster the case for the structural theory of organic chemistry by reconciling the apparently diametrically opposed views of Friedrich August Kekulé (1) and Hermann Kolbe (2). In retrospect, despite not being called a classic by the Alembic Club or Ostwald’s Klassiker, this paper really does represent a watershed in the development of organic chemistry because a neutral third party with credibility in both camps served as the referee for the argument. Part of why it did not achieve “forgotten classic” status at the turn of the twentieth century is almost certainly the fact while that papers by the originators of structural theory, Kekulé and Couper, were recognized as classic contributions, Butlerov’s enhancements of the theory, which were critical to its further development and acceptance, were viewed as being a lesser contribution. Butlerov’s claims in this arena were also not helped by the blatant politicization of the history of science in the Soviet Union during the heyday of the cold war (3). However, today, as Butlerov’s contributions are undergoing an impartial re-appraisal (4), it appears to me that this paper actually does deserve the title of “forgotten classic.”
...MoreArticle A. Boutlerow (2015) Primary Documents: "On the Different Explanations of Certain Cases of Isomerism". Bulletin for the History of Chemistry (pp. 13-28).
Article N. Kizhner; Vladislav Sunstsov; David E. Lewis (2015) Primary Documents 27. on the Catalytic Decomposition of Alkylidenehydrazines. (second Part) (abridged). Bulletin for the History of Chemistry (pp. 69-73).
Article
A. Boutlerow;
(2015)
Primary Documents: "On the Different Explanations of Certain Cases of Isomerism"
(/isis/citation/CBB907777361/)
Article
David E. Lewis;
(2022)
A Future History of Selectivity in Organic Chemistry: Whence, Where, and Whither?
(/isis/citation/CBB988568054/)
Article
Rocke, A. J.;
(1981)
Kekulé, Butlerov, and the historiography of the theory of chemical structure
(/isis/citation/CBB000010404/)
Article
David E. Lewis;
(2019)
1860-1861: Magic years in the development of the structural theory of organic chemistry
(/isis/citation/CBB223728585/)
Essay Review
Nye, Mary Jo;
(2011)
Visual Tools and the Quiet Chemical Revolution
(/isis/citation/CBB001566751/)
Book
Rocke, Alan J.;
(2010)
Image and Reality: Kekulé, Kopp, and the Scientific Imagination
(/isis/citation/CBB001020050/)
Article
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1992-93)
Pride and prejudice in chemistry: Chauvinism and the pursuit of science
(/isis/citation/CBB000040975/)
Article
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1987)
Kolbe versus the “transcendental chemists”: The emergence of classical organic chemistry
(/isis/citation/CBB000056414/)
Article
Lewis, David E.;
(1994)
The University of Kazan--Provincial cradle of Russian organic chemistry. Part 1: Nikolai Zinin and the Butlerov School. Part 2: Aleksandr Zeitzev and his students
(/isis/citation/CBB000037821/)
Article
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1983)
Subatomic speculations and the origin of structure theory
(/isis/citation/CBB000003691/)
Book
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1993)
The quiet revolution: Hermann Kolbe and the science of organic chemistry
(/isis/citation/CBB000038143/)
Article
Dayan, Anthony D.;
(2006)
The Circumstances of Kekule's Molecular Dream in London in 1854
(/isis/citation/CBB000740483/)
Article
Markovnikov, Vladimir Vasilevich;
(2018)
Primary Documents on the Question on the Mutual Influence of Atoms in Chemical Compounds
(/isis/citation/CBB302278273/)
Article
N. Kizhner;
(2015)
Primary Documents 27. on the Catalytic Decomposition of Alkylidenehydrazines. (second Part) (abridged)
(/isis/citation/CBB981124107/)
Article
Nathan M. Brooks;
(2019)
The Kazan School of Chemistry: A Re-interpretation
(/isis/citation/CBB445789982/)
Article
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1993)
Group research in German chemistry: Kolbe's Marburg and Leipzig institutes
(/isis/citation/CBB000047195/)
Article
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1990)
“Between two stools”: Kopp, Kolbe and the history of chemistry
(/isis/citation/CBB000048116/)
Chapter
Rocke, Alan J.;
(1995)
Pride and prejudice in chemistry: Kolbe, Hofmann, and German antisemitism
(/isis/citation/CBB000069028/)
Article
Brooks, Nathan M.;
(1998)
Alexander Butlerov and the professionalization of science in Russia
(/isis/citation/CBB000077529/)
Article
Kasiwagi, Hazime;
(1974 (pub. 1975))
Some marked characteristics of Hermann Kolbe's concept of the chemical constitution
(/isis/citation/CBB000022113/)
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