Alexander Butlerov was born in 1828 in Butlerovka, a small village near Kazan, where his father’s estate was located. Sasha did not remember his mother; she died eleven days after his birth. Raised by his father, an educated man, Sasha wanted to be like him in everything.
At first he went to a boarding school, and then entered the First Kazan Gymnasium, whose teachers were very experienced, well prepared, and they knew how to interest students. Sasha easily learned the material, since he early childhood he was accustomed to systematic work. He was especially attracted to the natural sciences.
After graduating from high school, against the wishes of his father, Sasha entered the natural science department of Kazan University, although for now only as a student, since he was still a minor. Only the following year, 1845, when the young man turned 17 years old, did Butlerov’s name appear on the list of those admitted to the first year.
In 1846, Alexander fell ill with typhus and miraculously survived, but his father, who became infected from him, died. In the fall, together with their aunt, they moved to Kazan. Gradually, youth took its toll, and Sasha’s health and fun returned. Young Butlerov studied with exceptional diligence, but, to his surprise, he noticed that lectures on chemistry gave him the greatest pleasure. Professor Klaus's lectures did not satisfy him, and he began to regularly attend lectures by Nikolai Nikolaevich Zinin, which were given to students of the physics and mathematics department. Very soon Zinin, watching Alexander during laboratory work, noticed that this fair-haired student was unusually gifted and could become a good researcher.
Butlerov studied successfully, but increasingly thought about his future, not knowing what he should ultimately choose. Do you want to study biology? There is so much that is unknown in this area! But, on the other hand, is the lack of a clear idea of organic reactions Doesn't it offer endless possibilities for exploration?
To receive a candidate's academic degree, Butlerov had to submit a dissertation upon graduation. By this time, Zinin had left Kazan for St. Petersburg and he had no choice but to do natural sciences. For his PhD thesis, Butlerov prepared an article “Day butterflies of the Volga-Ural fauna.” However, circumstances were such that Alexander still had to return to chemistry.
After approval by the Council scientific degree Butlerov remained to work at the university. The only chemistry professor, Klaus, could not teach all the classes himself and needed an assistant. Butlerov became it. In the fall of 1850, Butlerov passed the exams for a master’s degree in chemistry and immediately began his doctoral dissertation “On Essential Oils,” which he defended at the beginning next year. In parallel with the preparation of lectures, Butlerov began detailed study history of chemical science. The young scientist worked hard in his office, in the laboratory, and at home.
According to his aunts, their old apartment was uncomfortable, so they rented another, more spacious one, from Sofia Timofeevna Aksakova, an energetic and determined woman. She accepted Butlerov with maternal care, seeing in him a suitable match for her daughter. Despite his constant employment at the university, Alexander Mikhailovich remained cheerful and sociable person. He was by no means distinguished by the notorious “professorial absent-mindedness,” and his friendly smile and ease of manner made him a welcome guest everywhere. Sofya Timofeevna noted with satisfaction that the young scientist was clearly not indifferent to Nadenka. The girl was really pretty, with a high, intelligent forehead, large sparkling eyes, stern, regular facial features and some kind of special charm. Young people have become good friends, and over time they began to increasingly feel the need to be together, to share their most intimate thoughts. Soon Nadezhda Mikhailovna Glumilina is the niece of the writer S.T. Aksakova became the wife of Alexander Mikhailovich.
Butlerov was known not only as an outstanding chemist, but also as a talented botanist. He conducted various experiments in his greenhouses in Kazan and Butlerovka, wrote articles on the problems of gardening, floriculture and agriculture. With rare patience and love, he watched the development of delicate camellias and lush roses, and developed new varieties of flowers. When he went home, he never forgot to cut best flowers for the wife.
On June 4, 1854, Butlerov received confirmation that he had been awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Chemistry and Physics. Events unfolded with incredible speed. Immediately upon receipt doctorate Butlerov was appointed acting professor of chemistry at Kazan University. At the beginning of 1857, he already became a professor, and in the child of the same year he received permission to travel abroad.
Butlerov arrived in Berlin at the end of summer. He then continued to tour Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. The ultimate goal His travel destination was Paris - the world center of chemical science of that time. He was attracted, first of all, by his meeting with Adolf Wurtz. Butlerov worked in Wurtz's laboratory for two months. This is where he started his experimental studies, which over the next twenty years culminated in the discovery of dozens of new substances and reactions. Butlerov's numerous exemplary syntheses of ethanol and ethylene, dinzobutylene, tertiary alcohols, methenamine, trioxymethylene, and the polymerization of ethylene hydrocarbons lie at the origins of a number of industries and, thus, had a very direct stimulating effect on it.
While studying hydrocarbons, Butlerov realized that they represent a completely special class chemicals. Analyzing their structure and properties, the scientist noticed that there is a strict pattern here. It formed the basis of the theory he created. chemical structure.
His report at the Paris Academy of Sciences aroused general interest and lively debate. Butlerov said:
“The ability of atoms to connect with each other varies. Particularly interesting in this regard is carbon, which, according to August Kekule, is tetravalent. If you imagine valence in the form of tentacles with the help of which atoms bond with each other, one cannot help but notice that the method of bonding is reflected in the properties of the corresponding compounds.
Perhaps the time has come when our research should become the basis new theory chemical structure of substances. This theory will differ in accuracy mathematical laws and will allow one to predict the properties of organic compounds.” No one has expressed such thoughts until now.
A few years later, during his second trip abroad, Butlerov presented the theory he had created for discussion. He made a report at the 36th Congress of German Naturalists and Doctors in Speyer.
The congress took place in September 1861. He made a presentation to the chemical section. The topic had a more than modest title: “Something about the chemical structure of bodies.”
Butlerov spoke simply and clearly. Without going into unnecessary details, he introduced the audience to a new theory of chemical structure organic matter: His report aroused unprecedented interest.
"Every chemical atom, which is part of the body, participates in its formation and acts with certain forces. These forces influence the surrounding atoms, as a result of which the latter are bonded into a chemical particle - a molecule. The distribution of the action of these forces, leading to the connection of atoms in in a certain order, I call chemical structure. It follows that chemical nature complex particles determined by the nature of its elementary components, their quantity and chemical structure."
The term “chemical structure” had been found in the literature before Butlerov, but he rethought it and used it to define a new concept of the order of interatomic bonds in molecules. The theory of chemical structure now serves fundamental basis everyone without exception modern sections synthetic chemistry; categories structural chemistry think, create new production, design all the engineers and technicians.
So, the theory declared its right to exist. She demanded further development, and where, if not in Kazan, should this be done, because a new theory was born there, its creator worked there? For Butlerov, rector's duties turned out to be a heavy and unbearable burden. He asked several times to be relieved of this position, but all his requests remained unsatisfied. His worries did not leave him at home either. Only in the garden, tending to his favorite flowers, did he forget the worries and troubles of the past day. He never tired of admiring the camellias and roses grown with my own hands. His son Misha often worked with him in the garden; Alexander Mikhailovich asked the boy about events at school and told interesting details about flowers.
The year 1863 came - the happiest year in the life of the great scientist. Butlerov was at the right way. By acting with dimethylzinc on acetyl chloride, he managed for the first time in the history of chemistry to obtain the simplest tertiary alcohol - tertiary butyl alcohol, or trimethylcarbinol. Soon after this, reports appeared in the literature about the successful synthesis of primary and secondary butyl alcohols.
Scientists have known isobutyl alcohol since 1852, when it was first isolated from natural vegetable oil. Now there could be no question of any dispute, since there were four different butyl alcohols, and all of them were isomers.
What a triumph of structural theory it was! And how happy its author was. The triumph of Butlerov’s theory of the chemical structure of organic compounds was correct explanation based on this theory of isomerism phenomena. In the article “About in various ways explanations of some cases of isomerism,” published in 1863 in German and in 1864 in French, Butlerov concluded: “If substances with the same composition differ in properties, then they must also differ
and its chemical structure." The best confirmation of Butlerov’s doctrine of isomerism was the synthesis of the theoretically predicted isomers of isobutane and isobutylene.
In 1862-1865, Butlerov expressed the main position of the theory of reversible isomerization of tautomerism, the mechanism of which, according to Butlerov, is the splitting of molecules of one structure and the combination of their residues to form molecules of a different structure. It was a brilliant idea. The great scientist argued the need for a dynamic approach to chemical processes, that is, the need to consider them as equilibrium. Butlerov’s priority as the author of the theory of tautomerism was not denied even by the German chemist Peter Laar, who coined the term “tautomerism.”
Success brought confidence to the scientist, but at the same time confronted him with a new, more difficult task. It was necessary to apply structural theory to all reactions and compounds organic chemistry, and most importantly, write new textbook in organic chemistry, where all phenomena would be considered from the point of view of a new theory of structure.
Butlerov worked on the textbook for almost two years without a break. Book "Introduction to full study organic chemistry" was published in three editions in 1864-1866. It could not be compared with any of the textbooks known at that time. This inspired work was the revelation of Butlerov, a chemist, experimenter and philosopher, who reconstructed all the material accumulated by science according to a new principle, according to the principle of chemical structure.
The book caused real revolution in chemical science. Already in 1867, work began on its translation and publication in German. Soon after this, publications were published on almost all major European languages. According to German researcher Victor Meyer, it became " guiding star in the vast majority of research in organic chemistry."
Since Alexander Mikhailovich finished working on the textbook, he increasingly spent time in Butlerovka. Even during academic year the family visited the village several times a week. Youngest son, two-year-old Volodya, played all day long in the meadow near the house. Butlerov felt free from worries here and devoted himself entirely to his favorite hobbies: flowers and insect collections.
Now Butlerov worked less in the laboratory, but closely followed new discoveries. In the spring of 1868, on the initiative famous chemist Alexander Mikhailovich Mendeleev was invited to St. Petersburg University, where he began giving lectures and had the opportunity to organize his own chemical laboratory. Butlerov developed new technique teaching students, now offering everywhere
accepted laboratory workshop, in which students learned how to work with a variety of chemical equipment.
In his research, Butlerov continued to develop structural theory. He set out to prove that all types of organic compounds can have branched and straight carbon chains. This followed directly from the theory, but theoretical principles it had to be proven in practice. Is it not possible to obtain a hydrocarbon, for example butane, the four carbon atoms of which would be connected to each other not in series, but in the same way as they are connected in trimethyl carbinol? But to
find correct method its synthesis required many experiments.
And finally, Butlerov’s efforts were crowned with success. The large flask contained the long-awaited isobutylene. The existence of a branched chain of hydrocarbons has been proven!
Simultaneously with his scientific activities, Butlerov is actively involved in the social life of St. Petersburg. At that time, the progressive public was especially concerned about the issue of women's education. Women should have free access to higher education! Higher Women's Courses were organized at the Medical-Surgical Academy, and classes began at the Bestuzhev Women's Courses, where Butlerov lectured on chemistry.
Butlerov's multifaceted scientific activity was recognized by the Academy of Sciences. In 1871 he was elected extraordinary academician, and three years later - ordinary academician, which gave him the right to receive an apartment in the Academy building. Nikolai Nikolaevich Zinin also lived there. The close proximity further strengthened the long-standing friendship.
The years passed inexorably. Working with students became too difficult for him, and Butlerov decided to leave the university. He gave his farewell lecture on April 4, 1880 to second-year students. They greeted the news of the departure of their beloved professor with deep sadness. The Academic Council decided to ask Butlerov to stay and elected him for another five years.
The scientist decided to limit his activities at the university to only reading the main course. And yet he appeared in the laboratory several times a week and supervised the work.
Throughout his life, Butlerov carried another passion - beekeeping. On his estate he organized an exemplary apiary, and in recent years life real school for peasant beekeepers. Butlerov was almost more proud of his book “The Bee, Its Life and the Rules of Intelligent Beekeeping” than his scientific works.
Butlerov believed that a real scientist should also be a popularizer of his science. In parallel with scientific articles he published publicly available brochures in which he spoke vividly and colorfully about his discoveries. He completed the last of them just six months before his death.
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(1828-86), Russian organic chemist, academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1874). Created (1861) and substantiated the theory of chemical structure, according to which the properties of substances are determined by the order of bonds of atoms in molecules and their mutual influence. He was the first to explain (1864) the phenomenon of isomerism. Discovered the polymerization of isobutylene. He synthesized a number of organic compounds (urotropine, formaldehyde polymer, etc.). Works on agriculture, beekeeping. Champion of higher education for women.
BUTLEROV Alexander Mikhailovich, Russian chemist, author of the theory of chemical structure, creator of the first national school in organic chemistry.
Family. Years of study
The Butlerov family began with Yuri Butler, who came to serve in Russia from Courland, probably in the 16th century. Butlerov's father, Mikhail Vasilievich, participant Patriotic War 1812, after retirement with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he lived in the family village of Butlerovka; mother, Sofya Alexandrovna, nee Strelkova, died at the age of 19, 4 days after the birth of her son. Butlerov's childhood was spent on the estate of his maternal grandfather - the village of Podlesnaya Shantala, surrounded by forests, where his aunts raised him, and in nearby Butlerovka. When, ten years old, Butlerov was transferred to private boarding, he was fluent in French and German. After a big fire in Kazan in 1842, the boarding school was closed, and Butlerov was assigned to the 1st Kazan gymnasium. Already at the boarding school and gymnasium, Butlerov studied chemical experiments(one of them ended in an explosion, and the boarding school teachers sent the offender to a punishment cell, hanging a board on his chest with the inscription “great chemist”), collected collections of plants and insects. In 1844 Butlerov entered Kazan University, where he attracted attention famous chemists N.N. Zinin and K.K. Klaus, on whose advice he created a home laboratory. However, his master's thesis, perhaps due to Zinin’s move to St. Petersburg, was dedicated to butterflies.
Kazan period
After graduating from the university (1849), Butlerov was involved in teaching (Klaus and N.I. Lobachevsky interceded for him) and gave lectures on physics, chemistry and physical geography. In 1851 Butlerov received a master's degree, in 1854 he defended it at Moscow University doctoral dissertation(“About Essential Oils”), after which he was elected extraordinary, and in 1857 - ordinary professor of chemistry at Kazan University. In 1851 he married N. M. Glumilina, the niece of S. T. Aksakov.
According to contemporaries, Butlerov was one of the best lecturers of his time: he completely dominated the audience thanks to the clarity and rigor of his presentation, which he combined with figurative language. In addition to university courses, Butlerov gave public lectures on chemistry (the Kazan public sometimes preferred their visits to fashionable theatrical performances), participated in the work of the Kazan economic society, published articles on botany, floriculture, and agriculture. Great value to form scientific interests He had a business trip in 1857-58 to Europe, where Butlerov got acquainted with the best chemical laboratories and a number of chemical enterprises. He attended lectures by A. Becquerel, E. Mitscherlich, R. W. Bunsen, J. Liebig, met A. Kekule, and worked for about six months in the laboratory of A. Wurtz in Paris. Returning to Kazan, Butlerov rebuilt the chemical laboratory and continued the research on methylene derivatives begun by Wurtz, during which he obtained hexamethylenetetramine, which later found wide application in industry and medicine. Other important discovery this period - the first chemical synthesis sugary substance ("methylenenitane").
Theory of chemical structure
Own experimental work, familiarity with the state of chemistry abroad, deep interest in theoretical foundations chemistry led Butlerov to the ideas that he presented in 1861 at the Congress of German Naturalists and Doctors in Speyer (Speyer). The report “On the chemical structure of matter” is Butlerov’s first presentation of his famous theory of chemical structure, which he developed and developed throughout his entire career. scientific activity. Fundamentally new in his theory, which included the ideas of A. Kekule on valence and A. Cooper on the ability of carbon atoms to form chains, was the position on the chemical (and not mechanical) structure of molecules (the term “chemical structure” belongs to Butlerov), under which Butlerov understood the way in which the atoms that make up a molecule are connected to each other in accordance with a certain amount of chemical force (affinity) belonging to each of them. Butlerov installed close connection between the structure and chemical properties of a complex organic compound, which allowed him to explain the phenomenon of isomerism, as well as explain and predict possible chemical transformations.
In 1860-63, Butlerov twice acted as rector of Kazan University against his will. The rectorship occurred during a difficult period in the history of the university (the Bezdnensky riots and the Kurtin memorial service, which captured students, the struggle between various groups professors, etc.) and it was difficult for Butlerov, who more than once asked for resignation. In 1864-66 in Kazan, Butlerov published the textbook “Introduction to the Complete Study of Organic Chemistry” (soon translated into German), which contributed to the spread of Butlerov’s theory in Russia and abroad.
Petersburg period. Social activities
During his third trip abroad (1867-68), Butlerov was elected professor of chemistry at St. Petersburg University. In his presentation to the university, D. I. Mendeleev emphasized originality scientific creativity Butlerov: "Direction scientific works A. M. Butlerov does not constitute a continuation or development of the ideas of his predecessors, but belongs to him himself. In chemistry there is a Butlerov school, a Butlerov direction." In January 1869, having completed the course and handed over the department and laboratory to V.V. Markovnikov, Butlerov moved to St. Petersburg. He was soon elected extraordinary (1871), and then ordinary (1874) academician St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. During the St. Petersburg period of his life, Butlerov continued experimental work and improved the theory of chemical structure (article " Modern meaning theory of chemical structure", 1879, etc.), devoted a lot of effort public life. He actively participated in the creation (1878) of the Supreme women's courses and organized the courses chemical laboratories, as a member of the Free Economic Society, he energetically propagated the methods of rational beekeeping (his brochures “Bee...” and “How to Keep Bees” were reprinted many times until the 1930s), in 1886 he founded the magazine “Russian Beekeeping List”.
In 1880-83 Butlerov was president of the Russian Physico-Chemical Society. His article “Russian or only Imperial Academy Sciences in St. Petersburg?", published in 1882 in the newspaper "Rus" in connection with the academic elections. These same years also saw Butlerov's passion for spiritualism, which shocked his contemporaries, with which he first became acquainted back in 1854 at the Aksakov estate Abramtsevo. Later he became close to A. N. Aksakov ( cousin wife), who published a spiritualist magazine " Psychic research"(In 1889 Aksakov published the "Collection of articles by A. M. Butlerov on mediumship.") Despite the condemnation of his students and colleagues, Butlerov passionately and seriously defended his hobby.
In 1875, Butlerov, after 25 years of service, was supposed to retire, but the Council of St. Petersburg University twice postponed this period by 5 years. Butlerov gave his last lecture on March 14, 1885.
Butlerov's fate as a scientist was successful. His works during his lifetime received full recognition both in Russia and abroad, and without his scientific school (among his students are V.V. Markovnikov, A.M. Zaitsev, A.E. Favorsky, I.L. Kondakov) it is impossible to imagine development of chemistry in Russia.
Contemporaries noted the great charm of Butlerov's personality, his versatile talent, breadth of views and interests, open, sociable character, good nature, delicate and condescending attitude towards students.
From a young age, Butlerov was distinguished by good health and a large physical strength- the poker, bent by him in the shape of the letter “b”, was stored for a long time in a chemical laboratory in Kazan. But intensive scientific work and social activities undermined Butlerov’s strength - he unexpectedly died on his estate. Butlerov was buried in the family chapel on rural cemetery the now non-existent village of Butlerovka, on the banks of the Kama.
Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, short biography which appears in almost all chemistry textbooks, is a famous Russian chemist, the founder of the scientific school of organic chemistry, the founder of the theory of the structure of organic substances, who predicted and explained isomerism large number organic compounds and synthesized some of them (urotropine, formaldehyde polymer, etc.). Also, Alexander Mikhailovich, whose contribution to science was highly appreciated by D.I. Mendeleev, wrote works on beekeeping and agriculture.
Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich: short biography
The future scientist was born on September 15, 1828 in the family of a former military man, at that time a landowner. His father Mikhail Vasilyevich participated in the War of 1812, and after retirement he lived with his family in the family village of Butlerovka. Mom, Sofya Alexandrovna, died at the age of 19, immediately after the birth of her child. Alexander spent his childhood in Butlerovka and his grandfather’s estate - the village of Podlesnaya Shantala, where he was raised by his aunts. At the age of 10, the boy was sent to a private boarding school, where he mastered French and German languages. In 1842, after a terrible fire in Kazan, the boarding school was closed, and Sasha was transferred to the 1st Kazan gymnasium. In these educational institutions, Butlerov collected insects and plants, was very interested in chemistry and conducted his first experiments. The result of one of them was an explosion, and Alexander’s punishment for what he had done was imprisonment in a punishment cell with a plaque on his chest reading “The Great Chemist.”
Student years
In 1844, Butlerov A.M., whose biography is permeated with a love of chemistry, became a student at Kazan University, which was at that time the center of natural sciences scientific research. At first, the young man became very interested in zoology and botany, but then his interest, under the influence of lectures by K. K. Klaus and N. N. Zinin, spread to chemistry. On their advice, the young man organized a home laboratory, but the topic of his PhD, perhaps due to Zinin’s move to St. Petersburg, was butterflies.
After graduating from the university in 1849, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov, for whom N. I. Lobachevsky and K. K. Klaus petitioned, devoted himself to teaching activities and lectured on physical geography, physics and chemistry. Moreover, Alexander Mikhailovich was an excellent speaker, able to command the undivided attention of the audience thanks to the clarity and rigor of his presentation. In addition to lectures within the university, Butlerov gave lectures available to the public. The Kazan public sometimes preferred these performances to fashionable ones. theatrical productions. He received his master's degree in 1851, and in the same year he married Nadezhda Mikhailovna Glumilina, the niece of Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov. After 3 years, he defended his doctoral dissertation at Moscow University on the topic “About Essential Oils.” After this, he was elected extraordinary at Kazan University, and a few years later ordinary professor of chemistry. From 1860 to 1863, against his own will, he twice acted as rector, and the rectorship was quite difficult period history of the university: the Kurtin memorial service and the Bezdnensky unrest that affected students and faculty.
Trip to Europe
Alexander Mikhailovich actively participated in the activities of the economic society of the city of Kazan, published articles on agriculture, botany and floriculture. The biography of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov includes three trips abroad, the first of which took place in 1857-1858. The Russian scientist visited Europe, where he visited enterprises chemical industry and met with leading chemical laboratories. In one of them, in Paris, he worked for almost six months. During the same period, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov listened to lectures by such outstanding European minds as A. Becquerel, E. Mitscherlich, J. Liebig, R. V. Bunsen, and made acquaintance with Friedrich August Kekule, a German chemist.
Upon returning to Kazan, A.M. Butlerov, whose biography is of interest not only in Russia but also abroad, re-equipped the chemical laboratory and continued the research on methylene derivatives begun by Wurtz. In 1858, the scientist discovered new way synthesizing methylene iodide and carried out a number of works related to the extraction of its derivatives. During the synthesis of methylene diacetate, a polymer of formaldehyde was obtained - a saponification product of the substance under study, the result of experiments on which was hexamethylenetetramine and methylenetinate. Thus, Butlerov was the first to produce a complete synthesis of a sugary substance.
Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich: briefly about the achievements of the scientist
In 1861, Butlerov spoke in Speyer, at the Congress German doctors and natural scientists, with a lecture “On the chemical structure of matter,” which was based on familiarity with the state of chemistry abroad, an irresistible interest in the fundamentals of chemistry with theoretical point vision and his own experiments carried out throughout his scientific career. His theory, which included ideas about the ability of carbon atoms to form chains by A. Cooper and on the valence of A. Kekule, assumed the chemical structure of molecules, by which the scientist understood the method of connecting atoms with each other depending on a certain amount of chemical force (affinity) inherent in each atom.
Important aspects of Butlerov's theory
The Russian scientist established a close connection between the structure and chemical properties complex organic compound, which was able to explain the isomerism of many of them, including three pentanes, two isomeric butanes, and various alcohols. Butlerov’s theory also made it possible to predict possible chemical revolutions and explain them.
Thus, in his theory, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov:
- showed the insufficiency of the theories of chemistry that existed at that time;
- emphasized the overriding importance of the theory of atomicity;
- defined chemical structure as the distribution of affinity forces belonging to atoms, as a result of which the atoms, exerting an influence on each other (mediocre or direct), are combined into a chemical particle;
- identified 8 rules for the formation of chemical compounds;
- was the first to notice the difference reactionary abilities dissimilar compounds, explained by the lower or higher energy with which atoms combine, as well as the incomplete or complete consumption of affinity units when forming a bond.
Scientific achievements of the Russian chemist
The biography of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov is briefly described in school textbooks, with dates of life and his greatest achievements in scientific activity. On the account of the Russian scientist huge amount experiments aimed at confirming his theory. The scientist, having previously synthesized, determined the structure of tertiary butyl alcohol in 1864, isobutane in 1866, and isobutylene in 1867. He also learned the structure of a number of ethylene carbons and polymerized them.
In 1867-1868 Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose short biography arouses genuine interest among scientists around the world, was appointed professor of chemistry at St. Petersburg University. Introducing him to the staff of this institution, Mendeleev emphasized the originality of Butlerov’s teaching, which was not a continuation of anyone else’s work, but belonged to him personally.
In 1869, Butlerov finally settled in St. Petersburg, where he was elected extraordinary and then ordinary academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The period of his life in St. Petersburg was very active: the professor continued his experiments, refined the theory of chemical structure, and participated in public life.
Hobbies in the life of a scientist
In 1873, he began studying the history of chemistry and gave lectures on this topic. Posted first in scientific history a manual based on the theory of chemical structure - “Introduction to a complete study of organic chemistry.” Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov is the founder of the school of Russian chemists, otherwise called the “Butlerov school.” In parallel with the study of chemistry, he was actively interested in agriculture. In particular, he was interested in growing tea in the Caucasus, gardening and beekeeping. His brochures “How to Keep Bees” and “The Bee, Its Life and the Main Rules of Intelligent Beekeeping” were reprinted many times, and in 1886 he founded the magazine “Russian Beekeeping List”.
In 1880-1883 Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose short biography is interesting and replete with important discoveries for science, was the president of the Russian Physical and Technical Society. During the same period, the scientist became very interested in spiritualism, which he met at the Aksakov estate in 1854. Later, the Russian chemist became close friends with his wife’s cousin A.N. Aksakov, who published the journal on spiritualism “Psychical Research,” and passionately defended his passion to his acquaintances and friends who condemned him.
The value of the works of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov for chemistry
Alexander Mikhailovich was supposed to retire in 1875, after 25 years of service. The Council of St. Petersburg University twice extended this period by 5 years. The last lecture of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov took place on March 14, 1885. His health failed, undermined by intensive scientific work and social activities: unexpectedly for everyone, Butlerov died on his estate on August 5, 1886. The scientist was buried in the rural cemetery of his native Butlerovka, now defunct, in the family chapel.
Butlerov's works were received during his lifetime worldwide recognition, his scientific school is considered an integral component of the development of chemistry in Russia, and the biography of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov arouses genuine interest among scientists and students. Alexander Mikhailovich himself was a very charming and versatile person with a sociable character, open-mindedness, good nature and a condescending attitude towards his students.
Pedagogical activity
Butlerov's great merit is the creation of the first Russian school of chemists. Even during his lifetime, Butlerov’s students at Kazan University V.V. Markovnikov, A.N. Popov, A.M. Zaitsev occupied professorial chairs at universities. Among Butlerov's students at St. Petersburg University, the most famous are A. E. Favorsky, M. D. Lvov and I. L. Kondakov. IN different times E. E. Vagner, D. P. Konovalov, F. M. Flavitsky, A. I. Bazarov, A. A. Krakau and other prominent Russian chemists worked as trainees in the Butlerov laboratory. Distinctive feature Butlerov as a leader was that he taught by example - students could always observe for themselves what and how the professor was working on.
Social activities
Butlerov took a lot of energy in the struggle for recognition of the merits of Russian scientists by the Academy of Sciences. In 1882, in connection with the academic elections, Butlerov turned directly to public opinion, publishing in the Moscow newspaper “Rus” an accusatory article “Russian or only the Imperial Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg?”
Butlerov was a champion of higher education for women, participated in the organization of Higher Women's Courses in, and created the chemical laboratories of these courses. In Kazan and St. Petersburg Butlerov read a lot popular lectures, mainly on chemical and technical topics.
In addition to chemistry, Butlerov paid a lot of attention practical issues agriculture, gardening, beekeeping, and later also tea cultivation in the Caucasus. He was the founder and, at first, editor-in-chief of the Russian Beekeeping List. Being one of the organizers of the Russian Society for the Acclimatization of Animals and Plants, he made a great contribution to the development of gardening and beekeeping. The book he wrote, “The Bee, Its Life and the Main Rules of Intelligent Beekeeping,” went through more than 10 reprints before the revolution, and was also published in Soviet era. Since the end of the s. showed interest in mediumship - spiritualism.
We all understand perfectly well how important knowledge about various chemical elements and their properties. But at the same time, not every person knows about scientists living and working for the development of chemistry. This article will talk about a great Russian figure named Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose brief biography is given below. His achievements and works will not go unnoticed.
Birth and education
Outstanding researcher of the world of molecules and fine particles was born on September 15, 1828 in the family former officer, who took part in the battles of the Patriotic War of 1812. The birthplace of our hero is Kazan province, Chistopol. Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov (his short biography is available in many sources) spent the first years of his life in the village, and a little later he began to live directly in Kazan.
The young man received his primary education within the walls of a private boarding school, which was headed by Toporin, a teacher. French from the Kazan gymnasium. In the period 1844 - 1849 he was a student at Kazan University. At this university, Alexander became very interested in zoology and botany and as a final work wrote a thesis on a topic related to butterflies of the Volga-Ural fauna. Subsequently, the gifted chemist did not stop loving nature and was even one of the founders of a magazine called “Bee Sheet”.
Work as a scientist at his home university
After Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose brief biography is very often studied modern students, graduated from the university, he remained in his native department. His main goal at that moment was to prepare and defend his dissertation. Successful defense of this scientific work occurred in 1854, and he became a doctor of chemistry. This was followed by many years of work aimed at theoretical side chemistry. In 1858, while at a meeting of a scientific society in Paris, he voiced his views, which three years later he presented in a more extensive format - in the form of a report.
From 1860 to 1863, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov, a Russian chemist, was the rector of Kazan University.
New period in life
In 1868, the scientist won the Lomonosov Prize and was also elected professor of chemistry at St. Petersburg University. In this educational institution he launched work aimed at analyzing unsaturated compounds. Various theoretical works, started in Kazan.
In 1885, the chemist retired, but did not stop lecturing. In 1874 he was awarded the title of ordinary academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The scientist was also an honorary member of many scientific societies, both in Russia itself and beyond its borders.
Personal life of a scientist
A short biography of Alexander Butlerov allows readers to know that he was married to a woman named Nadezhda Mikhailovna. The couple raised a son, Vladimir Alexandrovich, who as an adult was honored to be elected to the State Council Russian Empire. He himself was a famous entrepreneur and landowner.
Scientific work
Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose biography and biography contain interesting points, while still a student at the boarding school, together with his fellow students he made both gunpowder and sparklers. It is reliably known that one day such active work ended with a strong explosion. For this, the teachers put the still young Alexander in a corner during lunch, and hung a board around his neck with the inscription “Great Chemist.”
In 1851, Butlerov managed to defend his master's thesis, and in 1854, his doctorate. In the period 1857 - 1858, the scientist was abroad, where he was able to find common language and become close to such outstanding chemists as Kekule and Erlenmeyer. In Paris, Butlerov managed to discover a new method aimed at producing methylene iodide. Also, the Russian husband was able to explore numerous derivatives of this component. A little later he synthesized urotropine and trioxymethylene. By the way, the scientist was even able to convert the last named element into a sugary substance called methylenenitane after treating it with lime water.
Also Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich (1828-1886 - the years of his life) was one of those who stood at the origins of the creation of the theory of polymerization, on the basis of which his student named Lebedev was subsequently able to discover industrial method creating rubber.
Pedagogy and working with students
It is certainly worth noting that Butlerov managed to create the first Russian school of chemists. Even during the life of his scientist former students were able to become professors in different institutes. It is noteworthy that all these great researchers had the excellent opportunity to observe how their mentor independently conducted various experiences. Alexander Mikhailovich not only did not forbid, but even, on the contrary, encouraged in every possible way that his students always watch him during numerous practical work in the laboratory.
It is also impossible to ignore the fact that the legendary chemist was an ardent supporter of the fact that women must receive higher education. It was he who in 1878 became the organizer of the Higher Women's Courses.
But the great scientist lived not only in chemistry. Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose short biography does not allow him to be fully revealed multifaceted personality, was also an avid gardener and beekeeper. In addition, the professor was involved in the cultivation of tea in the Caucasus. And at the end of the 1860s he began to pay very much close attention spiritualism.
