From 1884 to 1891 Moureu studied at the École Supérieure de Pharmacie in Paris. He received the school's silver medal in 1886, and both its gold medal and the Laillet Prize in 1887.
In addition, he interned in the Hôpitaux de Paris from 1886 to 1891, where he was given first place rank of the interns in 1887 and in 1889.: 342–343
Moureu received a degree in 1888 and graduated as a pharmacist first class in 1891, whereupon he was given a position as chief pharmacist of the public asylum of the Seine (des Asiles de la Seine). He remained in this position from 1891 to 1907. This allowed him to continue his research, studying organic chemistry with Auguste Béhal [fr] and Charles Friedel.: 342–343 He received his doctorate in physical sciences in 1893 from the Sorbonne, with the dissertation Contribution à l'étude de l'acide acrylique et de ses dérivés (Contribution to the study of acrylic acid and its derivatives).: 342–343
He obtained his agrégation in 1899.
In 1921 and 1922, Moureu visited the United States as a scientific expert. In 1921 he was part of a French Mission on Disarmament.
In 1922, he visited Washington, D.C. for discussions on the use of gas in warfare. He visited a number of universities in the United States and Canada, and was given an honorary degree by the University of Montreal.
Moureu became chairman of the French Committee of National Defence when it was established in 1925, leading it until his death in 1929.
Their research also had great impact and long-lasting significance after the war. It was first published in the Bulletin of the Chemical Society of France in 1922.
The autoxidation reactions that Moureu and Dufraisse described occur spontaneously in most organic products in the presence of oxygen from the air and certain catalysts. Autoxidation affects virtually all living organisms. Moureu identified catalysts that could trigger such reactions, and other compounds that could slow or inhibit such reactions. He called the inhibitors "antioxygens", now known as "antioxidants".
Moureu is best known for this pioneering research. It has led to the use of antioxidants in the rubber and vegetable oil industries,
and to widespread applications in foods and medicines. Antioxidants are added to slow the spoiling of foods and the aging of rubber.
Charles Moureu died on June 13, 1929.
Subscribers funded the creation of a monument in his honor in the Parc Beaumont in Pau in 1933. The bust was sculpted by Ernest Gabard. Further celebrations were held in Pau and Mourenx on the centenary of his birthday in 1963.
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