1828 CE
Wöhler Synthesizes Urea
Friedrich Wöhler accidentally synthesizes urea from ammonium cyanate, disproving vitalism and founding organic chemistry. #chemistry #history
Chronological Storyline (42 Milestones)
1832 CE
Wöhler and Liebig Discover Benzoyl Radical
Wöhler and Justus von Liebig discover the benzoyl radical, establishing the concept of functional groups in organic chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Smokefoot - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32289369
1845 CE
Kolbe Synthesizes Acetic Acid
Hermann Kolbe synthesizes acetic acid from inorganic compounds, further disproving vitalism. #chemistry #history
1856 CE
Perkin Discovers Mauveine
William Henry Perkin accidentally discovers mauveine, the first synthetic dye, launching the dye industry. #chemistry #history
By Henry Rzepa (en:User:Rzepa) - en:Image:Mauv2.jpg created & uploaded by en:User:Rzepa, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=854834
1858 CE
Kekulé Proposes Carbon Tetravalence
August Kekulé proposes that carbon is tetravalent and forms chains, a foundation of structural organic chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Unknown author - https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/german-organic-chemist-friedrich-august-kekule-von-news-photo/72242781, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167877
1865 CE
Kekulé Proposes Benzene Ring Structure
August Kekulé proposes the cyclic structure of benzene, revolutionizing aromatic chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Laurent Mazouin at lb.wikipedia - Own work Transferred from lb.wikipedia, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1379125
1874 CE
van't Hoff and Le Bel Propose Tetrahedral Carbon
Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff and Joseph Le Bel independently propose the tetrahedral arrangement of bonds around carbon, explaining optical isomerism. #chemistry #history
1894 CE
Fischer Determines Glucose Structure
Emil Fischer determines the structure of glucose and other sugars, pioneering carbohydrate chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Unknown author - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/29/85/3104172da6b66ab0d72a53a71f82.jpg Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0027668.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-23): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/pbekk7qp CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=180238528
1900 CE
Grignard Discovers Grignard Reagents
Victor Grignard discovers organomagnesium compounds (Grignard reagents), crucial for carbon-carbon bond formation. #chemistry #history
By Ben Mills - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2594188
1901 CE
First Peptide Synthesis by Fischer
Emil Fischer synthesizes the first peptide (glycyl-glycine), laying groundwork for protein chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Algertzars (talk) - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65305772
1907 CE
Baekeland Invents Bakelite
Leo Baekeland invents Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic, launching the polymer industry. #chemistry #history
By Original: MarkusZi Vector: Dirk Hünniger - Bakelit Struktur.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20188781
1912 CE
Robinson Proposes Electronic Theory of Organic Reactions
Robert Robinson develops the electronic theory of organic reactions, using curved arrows to show electron movement. #chemistry #history )
By Unknown author - http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1947/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18334522
1920 CE
Staudinger Proposes Macromolecular Hypothesis
Hermann Staudinger proposes that polymers are long chains of repeating units, founding polymer chemistry. #chemistry #history
By Nobel Foundation - Les Prix Nobel en 1953, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18542861
1928 CE
Diels-Alder Reaction Discovered
Otto Diels and Kurt Alder discover the Diels-Alder cycloaddition, a powerful method for forming six-membered rings. #chemistry #history
By User:Innerstream - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122283758
1935 CE
Carothers Invents Nylon
Wallace Carothers invents nylon, the first synthetic fiber, at DuPont. #chemistry #history
By User:Innerstream - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112727156
1937 CE
Pauling Publishes The Nature of the Chemical Bond
Linus Pauling publishes his seminal book, applying quantum mechanics to chemical bonding. #chemistry #history
1944 CE
Woodward Synthesizes Quinine
Robert Burns Woodward achieves the first total synthesis of quinine, a landmark in organic synthesis. #chemistry #history
1951 CE
Woodward Synthesizes Cholesterol
Woodward completes the total synthesis of cholesterol, demonstrating complex steroid synthesis. #chemistry #history
By BorisTM - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=645994
1953 CE
Watson and Crick Propose DNA Structure
James Watson and Francis Crick propose the double helix structure of DNA, based on X-ray data. #chemistry #biology
By Thomas Shafee - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40736969
1954 CE
Ziegler-Natta Catalysts Discovered
Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta discover catalysts for stereoregular polymerization, revolutionizing plastics. #chemistry #history
1960 CE
Woodward Synthesizes Chlorophyll
Woodward completes the total synthesis of chlorophyll, a complex natural pigment. #chemistry #history
By JLPC - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30077919
1965 CE
Woodward-Hoffmann Rules Published
Robert Burns Woodward and Roald Hoffmann publish the Woodward-Hoffmann rules for pericyclic reactions. #chemistry #history
By Ivogt - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23034878
1970 CE
Corey Develops Retrosynthetic Analysis
E.J. Corey formalizes retrosynthetic analysis, a systematic approach to planning organic syntheses. #chemistry #history
1972 CE
Corey Synthesizes Prostaglandins
E.J. Corey achieves the total synthesis of prostaglandins, important biological mediators. #chemistry #history
By Calvero. - Selfmade with ChemDraw., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1478457
1980 CE
Heck, Negishi, and Suzuki Develop Cross-Coupling
Richard Heck, Ei-ichi Negishi, and Akira Suzuki develop palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, enabling efficient C-C bond formation. #chemistry #history
1984 CE
Merrifield Develops Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis
Bruce Merrifield develops solid-phase peptide synthesis, automating peptide production. #chemistry #history
1990 CE
K. C. Nicolaou Synthesizes Taxol
K. C. Nicolaou and Robert Holton independently achieve the total synthesis of Taxol (paclitaxel), an anticancer drug. #chemistry #history
By V8rik at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Ronhjones using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15734014
1995 CE
Sharpless Develops Asymmetric Epoxidation
K. Barry Sharpless develops asymmetric epoxidation, a key method for enantioselective synthesis. #chemistry #history
By Sponk (talk) - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11749370
2001 CE
Sharpless Introduces Click Chemistry
K. Barry Sharpless introduces click chemistry, a modular approach for rapid, reliable molecular assembly. #chemistry #history
2002 CE
Feringa Develops Molecular Motors
Ben Feringa develops the first molecular motor, a rotary molecule driven by light. #chemistry #nanotech
By User:Bensaccount. Original uploader was Bensaccount at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8287100
2004 CE
Total Synthesis of Palytoxin Completed
Yoshito Kishi and others complete the total synthesis of palytoxin, one of the most complex natural products. #chemistry #history
By Charlsey - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1168774
2005 CE
Olefin Metathesis Wins Nobel Prize
Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock win the Nobel Prize for olefin metathesis. #chemistry #history
By Ple210 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81966544
2010 CE
Heck, Negishi, Suzuki Win Nobel Prize
Richard Heck, Ei-ichi Negishi, and Akira Suzuki win the Nobel Prize for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling. #chemistry #history
2011 CE
Shechtman Discovers Quasicrystals
Dan Shechtman wins the Nobel Prize for discovering quasicrystals, challenging previous notions of crystal structure. #chemistry #physics
By J.W. Evans, The Ames Laboratory, US Department of Energy - http://www.mcbmm.ameslab.gov/high_TrappingNano.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10094704
2014 CE
DNA Origami Advances
Paul Rothemund develops DNA origami, using DNA strands to create nanoscale shapes. #chemistry #nanotech
By Origamimonkey - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23081745
2016 CE
Molecular Machines Win Nobel Prize
Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, and Ben Feringa win the Nobel Prize for molecular machines. #chemistry #nanotech
By PKS615 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147658142
2018 CE
Directed Evolution of Enzymes Wins Nobel
Frances Arnold wins the Nobel Prize for directed evolution of enzymes, enabling greener chemical synthesis. #chemistry #biology
By Thomas Shafee - Thomas, Shafee, (2014). "Evolvability of a viral protease: experimental evolution of catalysis, robustness and specificity". PhD Thesis. University of Cambridge., CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37193303
2019 CE
Lithium-Ion Battery Wins Nobel
John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino win the Nobel Prize for lithium-ion batteries. #chemistry #energy
By Kristoferb - Own work (enwiki), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12279566
2020 CE
CRISPR-Cas9 Wins Nobel Prize
Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna win the Nobel Prize for CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. #chemistry #biology
By Deposition authors: Nishimasu, H., Ishitani, R., Nureki, O.; Visualization author: Synpath - Atom coordinates: https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4OO8; Visualization: Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133423568
2021 CE
Organocatalysis Wins Nobel Prize
Benjamin List and David MacMillan win the Nobel Prize for asymmetric organocatalysis. #chemistry #history
By Mike Kotke at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Ronhjones using CommonsHelper., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16246978
2022 CE
Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Chemistry Win Nobel
Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless win the Nobel Prize for click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. #chemistry #biology
2023 CE
Quantum Dots Win Nobel Prize
Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov win the Nobel Prize for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. #chemistry #nanotech
By Walkman16 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15266942