Friedrich Wöhler

<p>Friedrich Wöhler <a href="/facts/Royal_Society_of_London/KI5yXCuV">FRS(For)</a> Hon<a href="/facts/FRSE/6T9ftn3H">FRSE</a> (German: [ˈvøːlɐ]; 31 July 1800 – 23 September 1882) was a German <a href="/facts/Chemist/N09K7Bdm">chemist</a> known for his work in both <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic</a> and <a href="/facts/Inorganic_chemistry/ErD6ypnb">inorganic chemistry</a>, being the first to isolate the <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">chemical elements</a> <a href="/facts/Beryllium/dv295voP">beryllium</a> and <a href="/facts/Yttrium/BlX6rj99">yttrium</a> in pure metallic form. He was the first to prepare several inorganic compounds, including <a href="/facts/Silane/XNevDLgE">silane</a> and <a href="/facts/Silicon_nitride/58X9QPQJ">silicon nitride</a>.
</p><p>Wöhler is also known for seminal contributions in <a href="/facts/Organic_chemistry/djxhxaNg">organic chemistry</a>, in particular, the <a href="/facts/W%C3%B6hler_synthesis/RbaT7wh9">Wöhler synthesis</a> of <a href="/facts/Urea/6j84AoCG">urea</a>. His synthesis of the organic compound urea in the laboratory from inorganic substances contradicted the belief that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms due to a "life force". However, the exact extent of Wöhler's role in diminishing the belief in <a href="/facts/Vitalism/wYrVvfUf">vitalism</a> is considered by some to be questionable.
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Friedrich Wöhler open-in-new

Friedrich Wöhler