31 October: Remembering Adolf von Baeyer on Birthday

Adolf von Baeyer (31 October 1835 – 20 August 1917) was a German chemist. In 1905, Adolf von Baeyer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Life and Career

Adolf von Baeyer was born on 31 October 1835, in Berlin.

He studied at the University of Berlin and the University of Heidelberg, where he obtained his doctorate under the supervision of Robert Bunsen. He later worked at various universities and research institutions, including the University of Strasbourg and the University of Munich.

Baeyer made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the areas of dye chemistry and cyclic compounds. He is best known for his discovery of the dye indigo, which had a major impact on the textile industry. He also developed the theory of “strain” in cyclic compounds and proposed the concept of “Baeyer strain theory” to explain the relative stabilities of various cyclic molecules.

Baeyer’s work also extended to terpenes and hydroaromatic compounds. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1905 for his research on organic dyes and hydroaromatic compounds.

Adolf von Baeyer passed away on 20 August 1917, in Starnberg, Germany.

Award and Legacy

Adolf von Baeyer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1905 “in recognition of his services in the advancement of organic chemistry and the chemical industry, through his work on organic dyes and hydroaromatic compounds.”

Baeyer’s contributions to organic chemistry had a lasting impact on the field. His discoveries in dye chemistry revolutionized the textile industry, and his work on cyclic compounds laid the foundation for further research in structural chemistry. The concept of “Baeyer strain theory” continues to be relevant in modern organic chemistry.