Arbuzov chemist. Famous people of Kazan

Laureate of the Stalin Prizes (1943; second degree) and (1947; first degree).

Biography

Education

1885-1886 - Arbuzov-Baranskaya three-year school (graduated early thanks to home education).

1886-1896 - First Kazan Gymnasium.

1896-1900 - Kazansky state university(V different times N. Lobachevsky, N. Zinin, A. Butlerov worked there). By the end of his second year, Arbuzov became interested in organic chemistry. May 1900 final exams. June 1900 first degree diploma and title of candidate natural sciences.

Activity

By the time he received his diploma, Alexander Arbuzov already had his first independent scientific work to his credit - the synthesis of tertiary alcohols joint action alkyl halide and zinc into ketones.

Arbuzov proposed introducing improvements in the experimental methodology at Kazan University: he proposed distilling heavy substances at reduced pressure, but the laboratory management was against it.

Arbuzov’s first printed work was entitled “From the Chemical Laboratory of Kazan University. About allylmethylphenylcarbinol by Alexander Arbuzov.” It followed from it that Alexander Arbuzov, independently of Grignard, carried out the reaction known today as the “Grignard reaction” - organomagnesium synthesis.

Arbuzov became the first Russian chemist to use organomagnesium compounds in practice organic synthesis. But organometallic compounds are now used in many forms: as reagents in organic synthesis, as bactericides, polymerization catalysts in the production of plastics and rubbers, and the like.

Having received an invitation to take the post of chief analytical chemist in the famous imperial Nikitsky wine garden in Crimea, Alexander Erminingeldovich was ready to go south, but due to the political situation that created in 1900, appointments to the border areas, including Crimea, were cancelled.

Arbuzov decided to enter the Petrovsko-Razumovsky Agricultural Institute in Moscow. Graduates of Kazan University were accepted immediately into the third year.

After studying at the Agricultural Institute for a year, he returned to Kazan, to the same laboratory. At the request of the head of the laboratory, Zaitsev, Alexander Arbuzov was left at the university to prepare for a professorship. However, due to financial difficulties, he went to Poland, where he became an assistant at the department organic chemistry and agricultural chemical analysis at the New Alexandria Agricultural Institute.

The chemical laboratory of the institute was well equipped: it had gas and water supply with water pressure that ensured the operation of a water-jet pump. F. F. Selivanov became the head of Arbuzov.

Alexander Ermingeldovich introduced many practical techniques, which are still used all over the world.

In his free time from administrative, pedagogical and laboratory work, Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov prepared to pass his master's exams. They were not accepted in Novo-Alexandria, and in 1902 Arbuzov came to Kazan.

Having passed the exams, he received a certificate, which stated that now “to obtain a master’s degree in chemistry, all he is required to do is public defense dissertation approved by the faculty." Arbuzov had to choose and develop the research topic independently, without a scientific supervisor.

He chose organic phosphorus compounds for his dissertation. Alexander Arbuzov noted that some chemists considered phosphorous acid to be tribasic with a symmetrical arrangement of hydroxyl groups at the trivalent phosphorus atom, while others considered it to be dibasic with two hydroxyl groups at the pentavalent phosphorus atom. And Arbuzov decided to find a solution in the field of organic derivatives of phosphorous acid, primarily in the form of its esters. He began to look for compounds capable of producing characteristic crystalline derivatives of trivalent phosphorus.

Arbuzov Alexander Erminingeldovich (1877-1968), organic chemist, founder scientific school organophosphates.

Born on September 11, 1877 in the village of Arbuzovo-Baran, Spassky district, Kazan province, in a family of teachers. In 1896 he graduated from the 1st Kazan Gymnasium, in 1900 - the natural sciences department of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kazan University. There, in 1905, he defended his master’s thesis “On the structure of phosphorous acid and its derivatives,” for which in 1906 he was awarded the N.N. Zinin and A.A. Voskresensky Prize by the Russian Physicochemical Society.

In 1915 he defended doctoral dissertation on the topic “On the phenomena of catalysis in the field of transformations of certain phosphorus compounds” and was approved as an ordinary professor in the department of organic chemistry.

As a researcher, Arbuzov made a worldwide name for himself, becoming the founder of phosphorus chemistry organic compounds. These compounds play an important role in the chemistry of living things, in the creation of modern chemical materials and chemical warfare agents. English organic chemist A. Todd, laureate Nobel Prize 1957, named Arbuzov among “the greatest figures in the field of phosphorus chemistry,” and the President of the USSR Academy of Sciences A. N. Nesmeyanov noted that, as is recognized throughout the world, “ modern chemistry phosphorus organic matter... Arbuzov chemistry." It is especially valuable that it served as the fundamental column supporting the building of the “third chemistry” - the chemistry of organoelement compounds.

“Arbuzov rearrangement”, “Arbuzov isomerization”, “Arbuzov reaction” - three known to chemists synonym denoting discovered in 1905 by Arbuzov convenient way obtaining organophosphorus compounds in which the phosphorus atom is directly bonded to the carbon atom. The reaction occurs due to the transition from the trivalent state to the pentavalent one. The study of these transitions amounted to new chapter in organic chemistry.

A separate group of experimental work carried out by Arbuzov and his students is research on military themes. In particular, the scientist resynthesised (deciphered) captured ammunition from Nazi Germany.

Continuing the tradition established by A. M. Butlerov, Arbuzov paid attention to the study scientific heritage M. V. Lomonosova, N. N. Zinina, D. I. Mendeleeva, S. V. Lebedeva. The result organizational activities Arbuzov was the creation of the Scientific Research Institute chemical institute named after A. M. Butlerov, Kazan branch of the All-Union Chemical Society named after D. I. Mendeleev, Commission on the History of Chemistry at the Department of Chemical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

In 1956-1964. he was chairman of the Soviet National Association of Historians of Natural Sciences and Technology. His main achievement as a teacher-researcher was the founding of a scientific school of organophosphates, which received worldwide recognition. Arbuzov was a multifaceted personality (an excellent musician, organizer and member of a quartet at Kazan University), and this created a special creative and spiritual atmosphere around him.

Student of A. M. Zaitsev. In 1900 he graduated from Kazan University, in 1911-1930 he was a professor there.

Arbuzov Alexander Erminingeldovich (30.08 (11.09).1877 - 22.01.1968) - Soviet organic chemist, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences (1942; corresponding member 1932), Hero Socialist Labor(1957). Student of A. M. Zaitsev. In 1900 he graduated from Kazan University, in 1911-1930 he was a professor there.

Since 1930, professor at the Kazan Chemical-Technological Institute. In 1945-1963, chairman of the Kazan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. IN master's thesis“On the structure of phosphorous acid and its derivatives” (1905) Arbuzov established the structure of this acid and its esters and discovered the rearrangement of middle esters of the same acid, which was called the Arbuzov reaction and is one of the most important methods synthesis of organophosphorus compounds.

In his doctoral dissertation “On the phenomena of catalysis in the field of transformations of certain phosphorus compounds” (1915), Arbuzov extended his ideas to esters of phenylphosphinous and other acids, and also showed the unity of forces accelerating catalytic isomerization processes with forces affecting the rate of ordinary chemical reactions.

Arbuzov's views confirmed modern theory homogeneous catalysis. Arbuzov devoted a number of works to the tautomerism of dialkyl esters of phosphorous acid and the reactions of their metal derivatives. While studying these compounds, Arbuzov, together with B. A. Arbuzov, discovered new way receiving free radicals triarylmethyl series.

Arbuzov conducted research on the theory of tapping and outflow of resin from coniferous trees. Arbuzov established the presence high pressure at 0.2-0.3 Mn/m2 (2-3 kgf/cm2) in the resin passages of these plants. He developed a technique for collecting resin without loss of volatiles, which contributed to the rapid growth of the USSR's subsistence farming.

Arbuzov's works on the history of chemistry are valuable, showing the contribution to science made by Russian chemists. Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the 2nd-6th convocations. USSR State Prize (1943, 1947). Awarded 5 Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor and medals.

G. X. Kamay

A. E. Arbuzov

Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov is one of the oldest chemists in our country. Thanks to its brilliant experimental research in the field of organic chemistry he is widely known both here in the Soviet Union and far beyond its borders.

In terms of the purposefulness and nature of his research, A. E. Arbuzov is a worthy successor to the best scientific traditions glorious Kazan school of chemists. For 40 years he has been the head of this school.

It should be especially noted that A.E. Arbuzov is the first academician elected to the USSR Academy of Sciences directly from our hometown Kazan, and the third chemist academician from among the Kazan scientists who worked within the walls of Kazan University after the luminaries of domestic chemical science N.N. Zinin and A.M. Butlerov.

Having passed big way the greatest scientist, A.E. Arbuzov, devotes all his knowledge and strength to the benefit of his beloved Motherland and working people. However, only after the Great October Revolution the interests of the patriotic scientist coincided with the interests of the state and the people.

A. E-Arbuzov was born on September 12, 1877 in the village of Arbuzov Baran, b. Spassky district, Kazan province. The future scientist received his initial education at a rural school. As a nine-year-old boy, he was brought from his village to the city of Kazan and assigned to the preparatory class of the 1st gymnasium.

After graduation, A.E. Arbuzov in 1896 entered the natural sciences department of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kazan University as a student, graduating in 1900 with a 1st degree diploma and the title of Candidate of Natural Sciences.

Even before entering the university, Alexander Erminingeldovich in the gymnasium was interested in natural sciences, especially physics and chemistry, made physical instruments: electromagnets, Ruhmkorff coils, produced the simplest chemical experiments.

At the university at that time, the chemistry course was taught by famous professors: inorganic - F. M. Flavitsky, organic - A. M. Zaitsev, both outstanding students of A. M. Butlerov.

From the very first lectures, among numerous other disciplines taught in the natural sciences department, A. E. Arbuzov became especially interested in chemistry.

Already at the end of the second year, after successfully completing practical classes in quantitative analysis, A. E. Arbuzov began to develop a topic proposed to him by private associate professor A. Ya. Bogorodsky, namely: the development of a titrimetric method for determining the higher oxidation states of manganese by titration with compounds of lower oxidation states manganese

Soon, however, the attention of the future scientist was attracted by A. M. Zaitsev’s lectures on organic chemistry. This was facilitated by intensive scientific work in the field of organic synthesis, which was carried out in the laboratory of organic chemistry by A. M. Zaitsev and his many students.

In this laboratory A.E. Arbuzov, being a student of the third and then last year, completed my first experimental work in organic chemistry on the topic: “Synthesis of allylmethylphenylcarbinol”. It was carried out under the direct supervision of Professor A.M. Zaitsev and was later published under the title “On allylmethylphenylcarbinol”.

In this work, A. E. Arbuzov was the first Russian chemist to use an organomagnesium compound for the synthesis of this alcohol, instead of the organozinc compounds previously used by A. M. Zaitsev.

After graduating from Kazan University, A. E. Arbuzov, on the recommendation of prof. A. M. Zaitsev was left at the Department of Organic Chemistry as a professor's fellow (according to modern nomenclature, a graduate student). However, at the end of 1900, A.E. Arbuzov, without waiting for the approval of the professorial fellow by the ministry, on the recommendation of prof. F. M. Flavitsky holds the position of assistant in the department of organic chemistry and chemical agricultural analysis at the New Alexandria Institute agriculture and forestry (Novo-Alexandria, Lublin province).

Kazan branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences

On the shoulders of a young, still inexperienced scientist lay difficult task: manage the department’s economy and actually lead practical exercises students in a large and complex laboratory. It should be added that Alexander Erminingeldovich was the only assistant. The laboratory had 80 student places and performed two functions: in the fall semester, students studied quantitative analysis, in the spring, analysis of soils and fertilizers. In addition, his duties included assisting at lectures on organic chemistry.

And yet, the young scientist not only successfully coped with all these numerous responsibilities, but also found time for theoretical and experimental classes in chemistry.

Soon from the head of the department prof. F. F. Selivanova A E. Arbuzov received a topic - the synthesis of tertiary butylacetic acid. The topic undoubtedly represented scientific interest, but experimentally it turned out to be very difficult.

In addition, Prof. F. F. Selivanov, an educated and widely erudite chemist, was, according to A. E. Arbuzov, a poor experimenter and therefore a weak leader in the laboratory. As a result, after two years hard work, very small scientific results were obtained.

Being modest and demanding of himself, A.E. Arbuzov, despite F.F. Selivanov’s proposal to publish the results obtained on the synthesis of tertiary-butylacetic acid, did not give his consent, and they remained unpublished.

Considering continued work in this direction to be unproductive and almost hopeless, A. E. Arbuzov decisively abandons the topic.

After the failures encountered, the young scientist does not weaken his energy and begins preparing for tests for a master's degree in chemistry.

During this preparation, A.E. Arbuzov, studying the famous course of the great teacher of Russian chemists D.I. Mendeleev “Fundamentals of Chemistry,” became interested in the structure of phosphorous acid and its organic derivatives and decided to make it the topic of his independent scientific research.

After overcoming some difficulties, work in this direction proceeded at an extremely fast pace and already in 1903, at a meeting of the Society of Natural Scientists at the University of Warsaw, A.E. Arbuzov made his first scientific communication“On compounds of hemihalide copper salts with esters of phosphorous acid”

“Thinking about the question of how one could approach elucidating the structure of derivatives of phosphorous acid,” recalls A.E. Arbuzov, “one late evening a happy thought occurred to me to try to find a reliable method with which one could confidently distinguish derivatives of so-called trivalent phosphorus from pentavalent phosphorus. Then, I thought, unraveling the complex picture of organophosphorus compounds would be very simple. Inspired by this thought, at one o'clock in the morning, I went to the laboratory and began searching for compounds capable of producing characteristic crystalline derivatives of trivalent phosphorus. I tried for more than two hours to find inorganic salts, which, according to my considerations, could give crystalline compounds with the phenyl ester of phosphorous acid I prepared. However, all my efforts were to no avail. The expected substances were either not obtained at all, or were obtained in the form of thick, non-crystallizing syrups. The next morning - the same bleak picture. However, after looking closely, I noticed at the bottom of one of the cups two small crystals, shining like a cut diamond. These crystals were compounds of copper monochloride with phenyl ester of phosphorous acid and were the first representative of the class of compounds characteristic of trivalent phosphorus that I found.” This is how A.E. Arbuzov describes the beginning of his famous studies which he continued to conduct with increasing success.

Here it is appropriate to note the great experimental abilities of A. E. Arbuzov, especially his extraordinary successes, and later his mastery in glassblowing art, which played a big role in the implementation of many interesting works scientist.

While still a student, A. E. Arbuzov became acquainted with the simplest glassblowing techniques in the laboratory of Professor A. M. Zaitsev. Laboratory assistant E.I. Lyubarsky supervised the organic analysis and, according to the method accepted in the laboratory, taught students to carry out the analysis in a tube closed at one end. For this purpose, one end of the tube was drawn in the shape of the neck and head of a goose.

A.E. Arbuzov, within just 2-3 weeks, mastered the techniques of glassblowing art and subsequently, for himself and his laboratory comrades (and there were 12 of them), as they put it then, he “pulled the goose” and made ampoules for taking a sample.

These initial skills in glassblowing were extremely useful later. There was no glassblower at the institute. A.E. Arbuzov had to apply his experience in glassblowing and significantly enrich it. Essentially, not only the simplest, but also more complex glass instruments necessary for chemical research, I had to do it myself. It should be noted that A. E. Arbuzov adopted some more complex techniques of glassblowing art from A. M. Butlerov’s student, Prof. N. M. Semenov, who occupied the department at the institute inorganic chemistry.

Subsequently, A.E. Arbuzov achieved extraordinary success in the art of glassblowing: he made all the instruments and complex apparatus necessary for his various works himself.

A. E. Arbuzov represents a rare example of an experimental chemist who does not depend on a professional glass blower. The scientist summarized his many years of experience in glassblowing in the “Guide to Self...

Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of two State awards USSR, holder of several Orders of Lenin, honorary professor of a number of European universities, Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov - founder of the Kazan scientific school of organophosphorus chemists.

Alexander Arbuzov in his youth

Since August 2, 1947 Institute of Organic and physical chemistry (modern name Research Institute of Kazan scientific center Russian Academy Sciences) bears his name. In 1969, Arbuzov Street appeared in the Sovetsky district. In 1977, a bust of the scientist by A.N. Kostromin was solemnly unveiled in front of the facade of the new building of the Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry. In 1997, the International Arbuzov Prize was established. In 2002, in his honor in Kazan technological university(former KKhTI) the opening of the memorial Arbuzov auditorium took place.

“Remembering several, almost legendary people past, I would like now to remember a person who himself personifies, one might say, living legend- Academician Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov, one of the greatest figures in the organic chemistry of phosphorus, and I am proud of our friendship with him.”

Lord Alexander Todd, Nobel Prize laureate, English chemist

From the speech at the opening of the congress International Union pure and applied chemistry

Moscow, 1965

“...My childhood passed in a remote village, located far not only from the capital, but also from the district city. The village is beautifully located on high bank rivers Small, randomly scattered houses, almost all covered with thatch. Only one street could be called a street. Since spring it has been covered with green grass, like a velvet carpet, and a gray dusty road winds in the middle of it.”

In the Museum of Academicians Arbuzovs

This is how Alexander Erminingeldovich himself recalled his childhood. He was born on September 12, 1877 in the village of Arbuzov-Baran of the former Spassky district of the Kazan province, in the family of an impoverished landowner, a teacher by training - Erminingeld Vladimirovich Arbuzov. His mother Nadezhda Aleksandrovna was also a teacher.

Sasha Arbuzov's parents were highly respected in the area. The boy received a thorough home training. I learned to read on my own, from pictures in Niva. The mother taught her son penmanship, “giving” him clear and legible handwriting for the rest of his life, and his father taught Sasha mathematics. Erminingeld Vladimirovich knew how to perform the most complex arithmetic calculations in his head.

When Sasha was eight years old, he was sent to eighth grade rural school. Next to the Arbuzov estate was the estate of the great Russian chemist A. Butlerov. Later, Alexander Arbuzov recalled how his father took him to visit Butlerovka, located one and a half kilometers from Arbuzov-Baran:

“Probably my father talked to Butlerov about bees. The most powerful impression on me was the bee pavilion, which housed the hives. I remember that I was especially struck by the fact that the interior coloring of the walls of the pavilion, when Butlerov closed the doors and shutters, changed dramatically - from blue it turned into luminous white. Apparently, the walls of the pavilion were covered with a special paint that changed its color.”

Soon after this memorable meeting, tragic news came: on August 5, 1886, Butlerov died suddenly.

“At the time when my father accompanied Butlerov to his grave,” the scientist later recalled, – I went with my mother to Kazan to enter the gymnasium.”

In 1886, the boy was assigned to the preparatory class of the 1st Kazan Men's Gymnasium. The boring, stuffy atmosphere of the gymnasium drill suppressed the impressionable nature of the boy. Together with a friend, Sasha decided to quit his studies and go traveling. True, Robinson’s idea became known to adults, and the trip was disrupted.

Then Sasha found another hobby. Instead of going to class, he began drawing a huge color map of Europe. As a result, the unlucky geographer remained in the second year in the fourth grade. He "failed" Latin language. Arbuzov returned to the village, upset and depressed. After a conversation with his father, he promised to be diligent in his studies and subsequently successfully studied at the gymnasium. He completed it in 1896.

The certificate read: “excellent” in geography, physics, history and Greek language– “good”, and in other languages ​​(Latin, German) and logic – “satisfactory”. Chemistry was not studied as a separate subject in gymnasiums.

In the autumn of the same year, Arbuzov became a student at the famous Kazan University, where the creator of non-Euclidean geometry N. Lobachevsky, the prominent organic chemist N. Zinin and the creator of the theory of the structure of organic substances A. Butlerov worked at different times. Alexander Arbuzov entered the department of natural sciences of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics.

Everything at the university breathed the air of future significant changes; it lived in the spirit of Lobachevsky, Klaus, Zimin, Butlerov. These scientists were transformative not only in their chosen fields of mathematics and chemistry, but also in education. The craze for natural sciences, characteristic of young people in the nineties of the 19th century, did not escape young Arbuzov. He plunged into his new life with pleasure.

The Department of Organic Chemistry at Kazan University was headed by Professor A. Zaitsev, a prominent organic chemist. Another outstanding scientist, Professor F. Flavitsky, also worked at the department. By the end of his second year, Arbuzov made a “selection of goals.” It became organic chemistry. In his third year, carried away by lectures on organic chemistry, Alexander Arbuzov came to the laboratory of A.M. Zaitseva.

“... Unselfish and deep true devotion to science, and with it a rare ability to arouse an ardent love for science, to inspire and unite students in this direction...”, - this is how one of his students, A.N., wrote about Zaitsev. Reformed.

In the laboratory of Professor Zaitsev, Alexander Arbuzov completed the first independent work, which was published in the journal of the Russian Physical and Chemical Society. This work showed the undoubted talent of an inquisitive student. It was called prosaically: “From the chemical laboratory of Kazan University. About allylmethylphenylcarbinol by Alexander Arbuzov.” It followed from it that Alexander Arbuzov, independently of Grignard, carried out the reaction known today as the “Grignard reaction”: organomagnesium synthesis.

Arbuzov became the first Russian chemist to use organomagnesium compounds in the practice of organic synthesis. To appreciate this, it is enough to remember that organometallic compounds are now widely used as reagents in organic synthesis, polymerization catalysts in the production of plastics and rubbers, as bactericides, etc. Arbuzov, an innovator by nature, was depressed by the technology adopted at that time chemical experiment. The synthesis was carried out as in medieval times, in a retort. The reagents were mixed with a “splinter” (Arbuzov’s expression) through a tube. The distillation of solvents and the distillation of products was carried out under normal pressure, regardless of the molecular weight of the resulting substance.

Nowadays, in all chemical laboratories, including student laboratories, it is common practice to distill “heavy” substances under reduced pressure (under vacuum) - under such conditions the boiling point decreases. Arbuzov tried to introduce this practice at the turn of the century, but Zaitsev, a representative of the old school of chemists, was very afraid of explosions and categorically forbade his student to conduct dangerous experiments.

Alexander Arbuzov (right) and Giy Kamay, two famous Kazan chemists

IN student years Arbuzov became acquainted with the techniques of glassblowing art. This area of ​​experimental technology fascinated the future scientist so much that he studied it throughout his life. He introduced many innovations into laboratory technology: he developed a device for distillation under vacuum, improved gas burners, acquired new types of laboratory reagents and equipment for reflux. All chemists know the famous Arbuzov flask.

Alexander Erminingeldovich summarized his experience in glassblowing in “ Quick Guide To self-study glassblowing art." This pamphlet was published in 1912 and 1928 and for a long time was a unique tool for many generations of experimental chemists. It has not lost its meaning to this day.

University is over. On May 30, 1900, at a meeting of the physical and mathematical testing commission, Alexander Arbuzov was awarded a first degree diploma and the title of Candidate of Natural Sciences. Having received an invitation to take the post of chief analytical chemist at the famous imperial Nikitsky wine garden in Crimea, the young scientist almost went to warm regions. But in the early summer of 1900 political situation in Russia became more complicated due to the Boxer Rebellion in China. Appointments to border areas (and Crimea was considered such) were cancelled.

Photo from the Vladimir Zotov Museum

Due to financial difficulties, he was forced to go to Poland, where he worked as an assistant at the department of organic chemistry and agricultural chemical analysis at the New Alexandria Agricultural Institute. Novo-Alexandria in those days did not have the status of a city. It was called a posad and had four thousand inhabitants. The chemical laboratory of the institute, however, was well equipped. In any case, it had gas and running water with water pressure to ensure the operation of a water jet pump.

Arbuzov's supervisor was F. Selivanov, a knowledgeable chemist, but, as the assistant soon realized, an incompetent experimenter. “This last circumstance,” wrote Arbuzov, “had a heavy impact on my chemical development; in essence, I was left to my own devices.” Alexander Erminingeldovich described his work as follows:

“I studied some interesting reactions and got some first chemical compounds. Along the way, I had to carry out many reactions in sealed tubes at high temperature, as a result there were many different unpleasant incidents, especially explosions. I and the minister who helped me were repeatedly wounded, sometimes so seriously that we were out of action for a long time, sometimes for months. This whole streak of my failures early works in the field of organic chemistry had one positive side“These failures taught me how not to work.”

It should be noted that it was Arbuzov’s experience that taught chemists how to work. He introduced into laboratory practice many practical methods of “organic cooking”, which are still successfully used throughout the world. The assistant understood that he needed to grow not only in experience, but also in rank.

IN free time(and there was little of him due to administrative, pedagogical and laboratory work) Alexander Erminingeldovich was preparing to pass difficult master's exams. They were not accepted in Novo-Alexandria, and in 1902 Arbuzov came to Kazan. Having passed the exams, he received a certificate, which stated that now “to obtain a master’s degree in chemistry, he is only required to publicly defend a dissertation approved by the faculty.”

Arbuzov decided to enter the Petrovsko-Razumovsky Agricultural Institute in Moscow (now the Timiryazev Academy) - university graduates were accepted immediately into the third year. But after studying for a year, he realized that he only love– organic chemistry. He returned to Kazan and got a job in the laboratory of his teacher A.M. Zaitseva. For research, the young scientist chose a very experimentally complex topic. The research had to be carried out independently, without a scientific supervisor.

“Looking back now, in my declining years, after almost fifty years scientific activity“, the scientist later recalled, “I must say that my decision to work without any leader was boldly bold. Of course, this venture could end in failure or even complete collapse. And at the same time, in many respects my decision was correct. As I became more familiar with the literature, my chemical horizon began to expand, and I began to more maturely imagine what scientific research is.”

Arbuzov chose organic phosphorus compounds as the topic for his work. The young scientist noticed that some chemists considered phosphorous acid to be tribasic with a symmetrical arrangement of hydroxyl groups at the trivalent phosphorus atom, while others considered it to be dibasic with two hydroxyl groups at the pentavalent phosphorus atom. And it dawned on Arbuzov: what if we look for a solution in the field of organic derivatives of phosphorous acid, primarily its esters?

At that time, only a few individuals dealt with this topic. In 1903, Arbuzov's first work on his chosen topic appeared in the Journal of the Russian Physical-Chemical Society. The article was entitled “On compounds of hemihalide copper salts with esters of phosphorous acid.” In 1905, the chemist’s monograph was published, where all the results on the dissertation topic were collected. The defense took place the same year. Master of Chemistry Arbuzov, thanks to his work “On the structure of phosphorous acid and its derivatives,” became widely known in professional circles. In 1906, for this work he was awarded the Zinin-Voskresensky Prize.

In the same year, Alexander Arbuzov headed the department of organic chemistry and agricultural chemical analysis at the New Alexandria Institute of Agriculture and Forestry.

Next important work The scientist became the catalytic decomposition of arylhydrazones using copper salts - a reaction that became part of organic chemistry under the name “Fischer-Arbuzov reaction”. Many years later, Alexander Erminingeldovich recalled how Fischer asked him: “Have you patented your discovery?”

In fact, having arrived on a business trip to Germany in 1907, Arbuzov consulted a lawyer on foreign patenting issues. It turned out that acquiring a patent requires significant funds. Since Arbuzov did not have them, and hopes of receiving income seemed hypothetical, the chemist abandoned this idea. And probably in vain.

The Fischer–Arbuzov reaction has become firmly established in practice. It is widely used in industry to obtain a number of indole derivatives, which are used, in turn, for the synthesis of medications.

In Berlin, Alexander Erminingeldovich amazed his colleagues. When one of Fischer's employees accidentally broke a complex part of a glass device, Arbuzov caught the fragments in flight and, turning on the soldering machine, quickly and deftly soldered the glass.

In 1910, Alexander Erminingeldovich again visited abroad, this time with the famous Adolf von Bayer. After Professor Zaitsev left the post of head of the department, a competition was announced to fill the vacant position. Among other applicants, quite worthy people, Alexander Arbuzov also applied for participation in the competition. In 1911, he became the head of the department with the condition that within three years he would write and defend his doctoral dissertation. The condition was met. In 1914, Alexander Erminingeldovich successfully defended himself. The dissertation was entitled “On the phenomena of catalysis in the field of transformations of certain phosphorus compounds. Experimental research".

In 1915, Arbuzov was confirmed as a professor. The new head of the department introduced many innovations into laboratory technology. He introduced a device for distillation under vacuum, which made it possible to obtain individual substances high degree cleaning, improved gas burners, acquired new types of laboratory reagents and equipment for reflux. Made for the laboratory large number dishes, some of which were made according to the sketches of the “glass blower” Arbuzov.

... First comes world war, in Russia there is an increasingly acute shortage of products chemical industry, especially medications. Arbuzov is establishing cooperation with chemical plant brothers Krestovnikov, where he manages phenol-salicylic production. Dejected by the technological illiteracy of the staff, he writes a “Project of Short-Term Courses” for chemical workers.

In the archives of the Kazan Museum A.E. Arbuzov contains rare documents of the academician’s extensive heritage, characterizing his intense and multifaceted activities. Among them is an order on the appointment of A.E., professor of chemistry at Kazan University. Arbuzov as one of the process managers at the phenol-salicylic plant in Kazan.

After the revolution, in 1918, the issue of loyalty of the teaching staff of Kazan University was decided by the CC. All members of the academic council are invited to an interview. Arbuzov successfully passes it. In January 1919, the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree according to which all professors were dismissed and must be elected again. Alexander Erminingeldovich is also undergoing this “cleansing”. He remains loyal to Kazan University.

When, during the reorganization, the Faculty of Chemistry is transformed into an independent Kazan Institute of Chemical Technology, Arbuzov, with pain in his heart, leaves his beloved laboratory for a new place of work. However, soon the chemistry department reopens at the university - and Arbuzov returns.

During the war years, almost the entire USSR Academy of Sciences was evacuated to Kazan. Only chemical laboratories and institutes, 11 arrived. Arbuzov helped his colleagues quickly set up work, turning his apartment into a dormitory - several families of evacuated scientists settled in it. Reports submitted to the Department of Chemical Sciences of the USSR Academy of Sciences state that in 1943, Arbuzov “personally developed and improved a method for the preparation of dipyridyl. Led a group of scientists to develop some secret issues.”

IN post-war years famous academician Arbuzov heads the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the USSR Academy of Sciences, created in 1959 in Kazan. Chemistry should serve people. This motto was life principle Arbuzova. He conducted research on the creation of new medicines and pesticides for agriculture. And today in any pharmacy you can find medicines synthesized by Alexander Erminingeldovich himself and his talented student - Professor A.I. Razumov.

Arbuzov introduced innovations into the practice of organic chemists that help synthesize substances that were previously fundamentally impossible to obtain in a conventional laboratory. He owns works on the history of chemistry, showing the contribution to science made by N.N. Zinin, A.M. Butlerov, the Kazan Chemical School as a whole, as well as M.V. Lomonosov, D.I. Mendeleev, S.V. Lebedev and others. They gave a detailed study on the history of the study of free radicals, organophosphorus compounds and catalysis.

Enormous scientific work did not interfere with A.E. Arbuzov to study social activities. He was elected five times Supreme Council USSR. As the oldest deputy, Alexander Erminingeldovich twice opened sessions of the newly elected Supreme Council.

In 1945, by decree of the Presidium of the USSR Academy of Sciences, a branch of the country's Academy of Sciences was opened in Kazan. Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov was confirmed as the Chairman of the Presidium of KFAS. With exceptional energy he set about creating new scientific centers in our city...

His favorite piece of music there was a nocturne from the Second Quartet of the great composer and no less great chemist Borodin. Academician Arbuzov loved to listen to the music of his colleague in recent years life.

In 1968, the ninety-year-old academician fell ill and died on the night of January 20-21. He was buried in his native Kazan, at the Arskoye cemetery. On November 6, 1991, the burial became a family one - his son, also famous, died scientist Boris Arbuzov.

Boris, like his sister Irina and brother Yuri, also became famous chemists. Now they all rest in one grave on Zero Alley.

In 1971, in Kazan, on Shkolny Lane, a memorial museum-apartment of Academician A.E. was opened. Arbuzova. He lived in this house since 1938. Today it is the museum of academicians Alexander Erminingeldovich and Boris Aleksandrovich Arbuzov.

OUR HELP

Arbuzov Alexander Erminingeldovich

12.09.1877 – 21.01.1968

Soviet organic chemist, academician since 1942. In 1900 he graduated from Kazan University. In 1900-1911 he worked at the New Alexandria Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (from 1906 - professor), in 1911-1930. - Professor at Kazan University, 1930-1963. – Professor at the Kazan Institute of Chemical Technology. In 1946-1965. – Chairman of the Presidium of the Kazan Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Basic scientific research Arbuzov are devoted to the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds, of which he is the founder. In 1900, Arbuzov was the first in Russia to carry out the synthesis of allylmethylphenylcarbinol through an organomagnesium compound. In 1905, he established the structure of phosphorous acid, obtained its esters in pure form, and discovered the catalytic isomerization of medium esters of phosphorous acid into esters of alkylphosphinic acids (Arbuzov rearrangement), which became a universal method for the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. Discovered reaction formation complex compounds trivalent phosphorus with monohalide copper salts.

In 1910-1913, he studied the catalytic decomposition of hydrazones, developed new methods for the synthesis of indoles and nitriles, and found ways to separate tri- and dialkylphosphites. In 1914, he summed up the first results of his work on the study of catalytic transformations of organophosphorus compounds, for the first time since V.F. Ostwald, summarizing all the most important data on catalysis. In the same year he received esters of phosphinic acids, thereby laying the foundation new area research - the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds with the P - C bond (their systematic study was started in the USSR and abroad in 1920-1930).

When studying the structure of “Boyd’s acid chloride” together with B.A. Arbuzov discovered (1929) the reaction of the formation of free radicals of the triarylmethyl series from triarylbromomethane. The reference radical divinylpicrylhydrazyl was prepared and studied. Exploring domestic sources organic compounds, together with B. A. Arbuzov developed new method tapping of coniferous trees, the theory of oleoresin flow and the technique of collecting it without loss of volatile components. Discovered and studied (1930-1940) new classes of organophosphorus compounds - derivatives of subphosphoric, pyrophosphoric, pyrophosphorous and phosphorous acids.

Discovered (1947) the reaction of addition of dialkylphosphorous acids to a carbonyl group, which was a new universal method for the synthesis of organophosphorus compounds. He established the physiological activity of a number of compounds he discovered, some of which turned out to be insecticides, others - medicines. He discovered the miotic effect of pyrofos, which formed the basis for its use for the treatment of glaucoma (medical name - fosarbine). Organized the production of fosarbine in Kazan.

He proposed a number of laboratory instruments (flasks, columns). Author of works on the history of chemistry, showing the contribution of Russian chemists, and in particular scientists of the Kazan school, to the development of world science.