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Chemical school. Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, chemist Kazan chemist




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3. Student A.M. Zaitsev. Investigated various hydrocarbons of the olefinic series and their derivatives, focusing on the development of stereoisomerism of acids of this series. In his dissertations On some transformations of oleic and other acids close to it (1898) and On the question of stereoisomerism in the series of unsaturated monobasic acids, he gave a critical review of all known facts and views in this area and established the possibility, under certain conditions, of the transition of fatty dihydroxy acids into unsaturated acids and turning
5. What is the name of the substance in which it receives a sugary substance by synthesis?
6. With whom Zinin founded the chemical school?
10. The first curator of the museum
12. What is in the basement of the Kazan Chemical School
13. He graduated from the university in 1833 and received a candidate's degree and a gold medal for the submitted essay "on the perturbations of the elliptical motion of the planets", after which he was left at Kazan University to teach physics, and from 1834 he was also entrusted with the teaching of mechanics. From 1835 he also read a course in theoretical chemistry
14. Developing the theory of the chemical structure of A. M. Butlerov, he studied the mutual influence of atoms in organic compounds and established a number of patterns (including the rule for the addition of hydrohalides to unsaturated hydrocarbons with double and triple bonds, subsequently named after him in 1869)
17. What intermediate product plays a huge role in the amino-paint and pharmaceutical industries and is Zinin's scientific discovery?
19. What is located in a historic building built in 1837, which was intended for physical and chemical laboratories of Kazan University
20. With which of his students, Zinin synthesized "benzureid" and "acetureid
23. Kazan Iofkh is named after him
24. Who contributed to the development of chemical-arsenic-organic compounds?
25. It was under his influence that Yegor Wagner finally decided to devote himself to chemistry, which, in his own words, “led him to extraordinary delight” and “shocked him to the core”
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1. Wrote an excellent textbook "general or inorganic chemistry", which went through three editions
2. How many positions in Butlerov's theory
4. The production of which was directed by Arbuzov at the Krestovnikov factory during the First World War
7. A.M. Butlerov - an outstanding Russian chemist, founder of the Russian chemical school, creator of the modern theory of the chemical structure of organic compounds
8. Where is B.A. Arbuzov taught from 1930 to 1938
9. In 1865 he graduated from Kazan University with a candidate's degree for the presented dissertation "on the affinity of the carbon atom." In this work, it was experimentally proved (contrary to the assertions of the German chemist Kolbe about the unequal valences of carbon) that all four units of affinity (the valencies of the carbon atom) are identical, which provided significant support for the theory of chemical affinity of A. M. Butlerov
11. The name of the substance whose synthesis was invented by Zinin
15. What room in the School is associated with the name of Butlerov
16. Practically significant works on the chemistry of renewable natural raw materials are associated with his name - the composition was studied and technologies for isolating physiologically active substances from a number of plants (in particular, amaranth, lupine, stevia) were developed. Now the head of the Kazan Chemical School
18. In 1948, with his active participation, the Department of Polymers of Kazan University was created, which he headed until 1988
21. In 1837, Klaus defended his master's thesis, and then, took the post of adjunct in the department of chemistry at Kazan University, and also headed the chemical laboratory
22. Which element was discovered by Klaus

1. SCHOOL OF BUTLEROV

Butlerov came to St. Petersburg in the years of the brilliant flowering of Russian scientific thought. Petersburg became the center of scientific life and attracted the best forces from provincial universities.

When in 1868, with the transfer of the "grandfather of Russian chemistry" A. A. Voskresensky to Kharkov, to the post of trustee of the Kharkov educational district, the department of chemistry was vacated at St. Petersburg University, D. I. Mendeleev turned to Butlerov with a proposal to take this department. Butlerov agreed. Mendeleev entered the university council with a proposal to elect Butlerov.

Describing his candidate, Mendeleev wrote:

"BUT. M. Butlerov is one of the most remarkable Russian scientists. He is Russian both in terms of his scientific education and the originality of his work, a student of our famous Academician H. H. Zinin, he became a chemist not in foreign lands, but in Kazan, where he continues to develop an independent chemical school. The direction of the scientific works of A. M. does not constitute a continuation or development of the ideas of his predecessors, but belongs to him. In chemistry, there is a Butler school, a Butler trend. I will not undertake to list all the works of the famous colleague in science and will try to expose the position of his scientific direction in the modern history of our science ... "

Briefly conveying the meaning and content of Butlerov's main works, Mendeleev wrote further:

“All his discoveries stemmed from one general idea: it was she who created the school, she alone allows us to assert that his name will forever remain in science. This is the idea of ​​the so-called "chemical structure". In the 1850s, the revolutionary chemistry Gerard overthrew all the old idols and set this science on a new path. He achieved this by abandoning the idea of ​​penetrating into the inner, atomic structure of matter, as the Berzeliuses and Liebigs strove for. With new important conclusions and concepts introduced by Laurent and Gerard, the entire stock of chemical knowledge was updated and enriched. Again, however, it was necessary, with the wealth of new information, to go further than Gerard. As soon as polyhydric alcohols were discovered, the reactions of metalepsy products, and the concept of the limit appeared, it became clear that Gerard's teaching had to develop further. Then several separate directions were revived, and between them a place of honor belongs to the direction of Butlerov: again, by studying chemical transformations, he seeks to penetrate into the very depths of the bonds that hold heterogeneous elements together, recognizes for each of them the innate ability to enter into the known the number of connections, and the difference in properties ascribes to a different way of connecting elements. No one carried these thoughts as consistently as he did, although they were visible earlier.

The arrival in St. Petersburg of such an outstanding scientist as Butlerov was expected in scientific circles with great interest. The scientific community of St. Petersburg could appreciate him and give him every opportunity to develop his activities.

The study of the natural sciences in Russia by this time had made tremendous progress.

Before Butlerov's arrival, the first congress of natural scientists took place in St. Petersburg. The congress was an epoch in the history of the natural sciences in Russia. He widely popularized the results of the development of natural science in Russia, the achievements of which would otherwise have remained hidden for many for a long time. The congress summed up the activities of Russian natural scientists and laid the foundation for a number of new scientific societies. One of the first was a chemical society, which united all Russian chemists under the chairmanship of H. H. Zinin and from the very first years launched vigorous activity. The Society began publishing the later famous "Journal of the Russian Chemical Society", which replaced the journal of Sokolov and Engelhardt, which was published in 1859-1860.

The rapid and successful development of its activities in the first years of the society was due to the energy of its chairman.

By this time, Zinin stopped reading systematic courses at the Medico-Surgical Academy, remaining here only in the specially invented title of “director of chemical work” - the head of laboratory studies for students.

At the same time, Zinin devoted himself entirely to a new concern - the organization of the chemical laboratory of the Academy of Sciences together with Yu. F. Fritsche.

Butlerov found his teacher as if he had not changed at all: Nikolai Nikolayevich spoke with inexhaustible passion and liveliness about his work begun in the new laboratory, about the "Butlerov direction" in chemistry, about the flourishing Russian science. As before, perhaps only with greater anger and hatred, he spoke of the Germans with whom he fought at the Academy, with the same vehemence he attacked Butlerov for smoking tobacco, without failing to take a word from him, and also not for the first time, quit bad habit.

After a meeting with Zinin, Alexander Mikhailovich felt himself to be his own man in St. Petersburg.

Butlerov gave his first lecture at St. Petersburg University on January 23, 1869. The auditorium was packed. There were not only chemistry students, but also students from other faculties. One could also see well-known St. Petersburg professors in the audience.

Arriving in St. Petersburg in the full bloom of his talent, surrounded by the glory of a world-famous scientist, Butlerov could not help captivating the audience. His erudition and eloquence, his attractive manners, his amazing ability to quickly capture the attention of the audience - all were the subject of lively discussion in university circles.

Simultaneously with the beginning of the lectures, Butlerov, with all his energy, set about organizing his laboratory in order to direct the independent research of young scientists.

Then Butlerov's young assistant, Gavriil Gavriilovich Gustavson (1842–1908), left us extremely interesting memories of Butlerov's work with youth in St. Petersburg.

“The room that, for the first time, Butlerov had to occupy,” he says, “was very small and not adequately equipped for work in the field of organic chemistry that he was developing, but this did not stop things and did not interfere with the work Butlerov himself. He knew how to get by with cash, however small, because the art of the researcher was developed in him to a high degree. Without a doubt, one of the most outstanding aspects of Butlerov's personality was the fusion in him of a deeply theoretical mind with the highly developed abilities of a skilled researcher. The combination of these two qualities to such an extent in one person is very rare. Usually one of them develops at the expense of the other, and the deep theorist is often powerless in the fight against the many and varied difficulties that arise in every study of natural phenomena, even if all the auxiliary means are available. But Butlerov himself was the creator of the material that served as the basis for his theory, having developed in himself tremendous ingenuity, perseverance in overcoming difficulties and that attention to detail, which is so rare in theorists and without which one cannot take a step towards the experimental study of nature. Having created a theory, Butlerov at the same time developed research methods. He not only indicated, but also cleared the way for his followers.

Another trait, clearly expressed in Butlerov's character, to which his school owed much of its prosperity, was his perseverance, his desire to bring every matter to an end.

In life, Alexander Mikhailovich had to endure a lot of trouble as a result of stubbornly pursuing those views that he considered correct, and in this case, openness of actions, frankness did not help the matter, but complicated it. But in the laboratory, all these properties of Butlerov, contributing to each other, greatly helped the success of the cause to which he served. No one remembers that Butlerov had only declared or begun, but unfinished works. Any work begun came out of his hands in a completely finished form, although often great efforts were needed to combat the difficulties that arose at every step.

Working in the laboratory, always in front of others, always available to everyone, Butlerov was a clear example of hard work and perseverance, without which one cannot count on success. Butlerov, without words, without speeches, without instructions, brought up in his students a serious attitude to business, showing them in practice how to overcome difficulties, and at the same time instilling in them confidence in success, captivating them. It was a real school, capable of capturing the whole person. She captivated not only with ideas, but also with the opportunity to promote the development of these ideas through creative work. However, the personal qualities of Alexander Mikhailovich were no less important in the creation of the Butlerov school.

Academician Dmitry Petrovich Konovalov (1856–1929), one of the founders of physical chemistry, characterizing Butlerov as a teacher and head of the school, wrote: “My recollections date back to the time when Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov achieved fame as a great world scientist, but I came to him as a young a beginner who wants to join the work of scientific research for the first time. I had just graduated from the Mining Institute at that time, and had already developed a passion for chemistry there; but, having received a thorough experimental training in mineral chemistry, I felt a great gap in the experimental work in organic chemistry, on which the attention of scientists was already concentrating at that time and where questions of general scientific importance were put forward. But it was not the subject itself that led me to Butlerov. Not deciding in advance to devote myself to organic chemistry, I wanted, working for a great master, first of all to see how science is "done". With regard to work in the future, I was already attracted by the field that later developed under the name of physical chemistry.

With such thoughts, the young scientist came to Butlerov's laboratory and, not without embarrassment, entered his office. The friendliness of the scientist and ease of handling dispelled embarrassment. Alexander Mikhailovich asked a number of questions to determine the degree of preparation of the guest, and ended the conversation by agreeing to give him a place and a topic in organic chemistry, but immediately wished that the new student would first prepare the drug - glycolic acid. Butlerov's office was an ordinary chemist's workroom with a large work table. On one side of the table he worked himself, and the other was occupied by his then assistant, Mikhail Dmitrievich Lvov (1848–1899), who showed the laboratory and library where the new student had to find an article on the preparation of the drug, took a place and provided everything necessary for the first time . On the same day, Konovalov could start work.

From the very first days, the future scientist realized that he had found what he needed. He ended up in a school excellently organized for research, in which he could freely observe how science was "made".

The Butlerov laboratory, very modest in size, accommodated about ten of his students, among whom he himself worked. The middle room with two windows was occupied by Butlerov with his assistant. Adjacent to this room were two student rooms. In the third, small room, with one window, there was a library and scales, which were used by both the students and the teacher. Everyone who went to the weighing room and the library had to pass by the place where Alexander Mikhailovich worked. Often he turned to the passer-by with a question or answered his question, sometimes entering into a conversation with him. It happened that some visiting chemist professor was sitting next to Butlerov, and a lively conversation was going on between them. Butlerov conducted all these conversations without interrupting his experimental work, artistically performing its individual operations.

This ability of the great scientist to do experimental work, while at the same time carrying on a conversation, is noted in their memoirs by all his students, equally amazed by it. The accessibility of the teacher during his work led to the admiration of novice students. Everyone was especially struck by Butlerov's ability to work with small amounts of a substance when he used the devices of his invention, which he built at the soldering table, carefully finishing and adjusting all the parts.

Butlerov attached great importance to the ability to process glass. In his free time, he often sat down at the soldering table and was engaged in blowing various gizmos, so as not to lose his skill in work. At this time, a circle of workers in the laboratory usually gathered near him, with whom he carried on a conversation at the same time. Sometimes he invited a professional glass blower to the laboratory and suggested that he make various complex devices on the laboratory soldering table. A group of spectators from the laboratory also gathered near the glass blower. The teacher's example had a contagious effect on the students. In Butlerov's laboratory one could constantly see this or that student busy blowing glass. In this art, some of the staff of the laboratory reached great perfection.

In such a laboratory environment, novice scientists easily mastered new methods of working in organic chemistry. With the help of an assistant, they easily found literary references in the laboratory library. When D.P. Konovalov, having prepared the preparation indicated to him, came to receive the topic, Butlerov, after a brief reflection, suggested that he study the effect of nitric acid on "isodibutylene" in order to find out whether real nitro compounds are formed in this case. Butlerov did not forget to immediately carefully draw the student's attention to the possibility of acid burns due to an explosion during the reaction and advised him to avoid working with large quantities. He recommended at the same time to have a water faucet close at hand and learn to find it with closed eyes, so that in the event of an explosion you can immediately pour a strong jet of water over your head in the event of an explosion.

“Thinking now about the topic I received,” D. P. Konovalov wrote later, “I find that it fully corresponded to the goal with which I came to the laboratory. To start studying the proposed reaction, it was necessary to go a long way in the preparation of isodibutylene, a hydrocarbon, which had been recently discovered, studied and described by A. M. in one of his classic works. I had to learn new methods for me to work with gases sealed in glass tubes, liquefied by cooling. All this preparatory work was for me an excellent school of experimental work.

How well this school was organized can be judged by another confession of Konovalov. Recalling his trip abroad, he says:

“It turned out that after the Butler laboratory there was nothing for me to study here. His laboratory equipment was superior.”

Many Russian chemists passed through Butlerov's St. Petersburg laboratory, among whom Aleksey Evgrafovich Favorsky, Ivan Alekseevich Kablukov, Yegor Yegorovich Wagner, Vyacheslav Evgenievich Tishchenko, Alexander Ivanovich Gorbov acquired special fame for their works, in addition to Konovalov, Gustavson, Lvov.

In those years in Russia, almost every novice chemist dreamed of starting his independent scientific activity under the guidance of Butlerov.

The best certification for a young scientist who wanted to get a chair at the university was the title of "Butlerov's student", which he was proud of until the last days of his life, no matter how great his own merits were.

It took a little time for Butler's trend in chemistry, through his students, to penetrate into all Russian centers of chemical science.

The range of Butlerov's vital interests in these years, however, was not limited to scientific and organizational, as well as research activities.

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Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose brief biography is found in almost all chemistry textbooks, is a well-known 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 the isomerism of a large number of organic compounds and synthesized some of them (urotropine, formaldehyde polymer and 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 Vasilievich participated in the war of 1812, and after his retirement he lived with his family in his native village of Butlerovka. Mom, Sofya Alexandrovna, died at the age of 19, immediately after the birth of a child. Alexander spent his childhood in Butlerovka and his grandfather's estate - the village of Podlesnaya Shantala, where he was raised by aunts. At the age of 10, the boy was sent to a private boarding school, where he mastered French and German well. 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 the punishment for Alexander for what he had done was imprisonment in a punishment cell with a plaque on his chest “The Great Chemist”.

student years

In 1844, Butlerov A.M., whose biography is permeated with love for chemistry, became a student at Kazan University, which at that time was the center of natural 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 own advice, the young man organized a home laboratory, but the topic of the candidate's thesis, perhaps due to Zinin's move to St. Petersburg, was butterflies.

After graduating from the university in 1849, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov, who was petitioned by N. I. Lobachevsky and K. K. Klaus, devoted himself to teaching and lectured on physical geography, physics and chemistry. Moreover, Alexander Mikhailovich was an excellent speaker, able to completely control the attention of the audience due to the clarity and rigor of presentation. In addition to lectures within the walls of the university, Butlerov gave lectures available to the public. The Kazan public sometimes preferred these performances to fashionable theatrical performances. He received his master's degree in 1851, in the same year he married Glumilina Nadezhda Mikhailovna, the niece of Sergei Timofeevich Aksakov. After 3 years, he defended his doctoral dissertation at Moscow University on the topic "About Essential Oils". After that, he was elected at the Kazan University as an extraordinary, and a few years later, an ordinary professor of chemistry. From 1860 to 1863, against his own will, twice the rector, and the rectorship fell on a rather difficult period in the history of the university: a memorial service for Kurtin and abyssal 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 the enterprises of the chemical industry and got acquainted with the leading chemical laboratories. In one of them, in Paris, he worked for almost six months. In the same period, Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov listened to lectures by such prominent 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, Butlerov A.M., whose biography is of interest not only in Russia, but also abroad, reequipped the chemical laboratory and continued research on methylene derivatives, begun by Wurtz. In 1858, the scientist discovered a new method for the synthesis of 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 product of saponification of the test substance, the result of experiments on which was hexamethylenetetramine and methyleneninate. Thus, Butlerov for the first time produced 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 of German Doctors and Naturalists, with a lecture "On the chemical structure of matter", which was based on acquaintance with the state of chemistry abroad, an irresistible interest in the fundamentals of chemistry from a theoretical point of view and his own experiments, produced throughout his scientific career.

His theory, which included ideas about the ability of A. Cooper's carbon atoms to form chains and A. Kekule's valence, assumed the chemical structure of molecules, by which the scientist understood the method of connecting atoms to each other, depending on a certain amount of chemical strength (affinity) inherent in each atom.

Important aspects of Butlerov's theory

The Russian scientist established a close relationship between the structure and chemical properties of a 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 reactions 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 atomicity;
  • defined as the distribution of affinity forces belonging to atoms, as a result of which atoms, exerting an influence on each other (indirect or direct), are combined into a chemical particle;
  • determined 8 rules for the formation of chemical compounds;
  • he was the first to draw attention to the difference in the reactivity of dissimilar compounds, explained by the lower or higher energy with which the atoms combine, as well as by the incomplete or complete consumption of affinity units during bond formation.

Scientific achievements of the Russian chemist

The biography of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov is briefly described in school textbooks, with the dates of his life and his greatest achievements in the account of the Russian scientist, a huge number of experiments aimed at confirming his theory. The scientist, having previously synthesized, determined in 1864 the structure of the tertiary in 1866 - isobutane, in 1867 - isobutylene. He also learned the structure of a number of ethylene carbons and produced their polymerization.

In 1867-1868. Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose brief biography evokes scientists from all over the world, was appointed professor of chemistry at St. Petersburg University. Introducing it to the staff of this institution, Mendeleev emphasized the originality of Butler'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 an extraordinary, and then an ordinary academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The period of life in St. Petersburg was very active: the professor continued his experiments, polished the theory of chemical structure, and participated in public life.

Hobbies in the life of a scientist

In 1873 he began to study and lecture on this subject. He wrote the first manual in scientific history based on the theory of chemical structure - "Introduction to the full study of organic chemistry." Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov is the founder of the school of Russian chemists, otherwise known as 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 Lead the Bees" and "The Bee, Its Life and the Main Rules of Intelligent Beekeeping" were reprinted many times, and in 1886 he also founded the journal "Russian Beekeeping Leaf".

In 1880-1883. Butlerov Alexander Mikhailovich, whose brief biography is interesting and replete with discoveries important for science, was the president of the Russian Physical and Technical Society. In the same period, the scientist became very interested in spiritualism, which he met at the Aksakov estate in 1854. Later, he became close friends with his wife's cousin Aksakov A.N., who published the journal on spiritualism "Psychical Research", and ardently defended his hobby before his acquaintances and friends who condemned him.

The value of the works of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov for chemistry

Alexander Mikhailovich had to retire in 1875, after 25 years of service. The Council of St. Petersburg University twice postponed this period by 5 years. The last lecture of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov took place on March 14, 1885. He was let down by his health, undermined by intensive scientific work and social activities: unexpectedly for everyone, Butlerov died at 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 received worldwide recognition during his lifetime, his scientific school is considered an integral part of the development of chemistry in Russia, and the biography of Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov is of genuine interest to scientists and students. Alexander Mikhailovich himself was a very charming and versatile person with a sociable character, breadth of views, good nature and condescending attitude towards students.

In the year of foundation of Kazan University, in 1804, the Department of Chemistry was opened. This event subsequently laid the foundation for the creation of the Faculty of Chemistry and the world-famous Kazan School of Chemistry.

Kazan. Kazan University. Kazan chemical school. The history of science strictly fixes this sequence. In the chemical laboratory of Kazan University in the middle of the 19th century, a scientific school arose, which gave the world a whole galaxy of remarkable scientists, whose works constitute the golden fund of world chemical science. K.K.Klaus, N.N.Zinin, A.M.Butlerov, V.V.Markovnikov, A.M.Zaitsev, F.M.Flavitsky, A.E.Arbuzov, B.A.Arbuzov- here is a list of prominent names that make up the "main line" of the school.

N.N. Zinin, and later A.M. Butlerov, being elected academicians of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, in accordance with the traditions of that time, transferred their research from Kazan to St. Petersburg. A "Petersburg branch" of the Kazan School of Chemistry emerged.

VV Markovnikov, after leaving Kazan University, continued his research at Novorossiysk (now Odessa), and then at Moscow University. A "Moscow branch" was formed. The students of A.M. Butlerov, and later the students of A.M. Zaitsev, headed departments in other Russian universities: A.N. .Albitsky - in Kharkov:

Start Kazan chemical school put the works of two remarkable scientists: K.K. Klaus and N.N. Zinin. KKKlaus, professor of Kazan State University, is credited with the discovery in 1844 of the element ruthenium. "I call a new element in honor of my fatherland ruthenium" (in Latin: Russian), - wrote KK Klaus.

Two years earlier, in 1842, N.N. Zinin made an outstanding discovery. It carries out the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline. This reaction marked the beginning of industrial organic synthesis and, in particular, such an industry as the aniline industry. N.N.Zinin is not only an outstanding scientist. He is a major public figure, one of the organizers of the Russian Chemical Society (1868), the first president of which N.N. Zinin was for 10 years.

The fame of his teachers was increased by A.M. Butlerov (1828-1886). Created by A.M. Butlerov in 1861, the theory of the chemical structure of organic compounds became a tool for understanding the structure of organic compounds, determining the ways of their synthesis, establishing a connection between the structure and reactivity of organic substances. Its provisions formed the foundation of modern organic chemistry. Butlerov's direction was developed in Kazan in the works of his most prominent students: V.V.Markovnikov, A.M.Zaitsev, F.M.Flavitsky. V.V. Markovnikov (1838-1904) developed the idea of ​​the mutual influence of atoms in molecules. The "Markovnikov's rule" appears in science and in textbooks on organic chemistry all over the world, which determines the order of adding reagents to unsaturated compounds. Petroleum chemistry is another area of ​​research by V.V. Markovnikov.

In organic chemistry there is also the "Zaitsev's rule", which determines the order of elimination of reagents in the formation of unsaturated systems. A.M. Zaitsev, more than any of the students of A.M. Butlerov, with his classical works, contributed to the strengthening of the still young theory of chemical structure. A.M.Zaitsev (1841-1910) brought up a galaxy of organic chemists. Among them are remarkable scientists: S.N. Reformatsky, A.N. Reformatsky, E.E. Wagner, A.A. Albitsky, I.I.

A somewhat special place is occupied by F.M. Flavitsky (1848-1917). FM Flavitsky belonged to that rare even for the end of the 19th century type of scientists who worked equally successfully in all separate areas of chemistry.

Since 1884, F.M. Flavitsky worked fruitfully in inorganic and physical chemistry. He was the first to teach a course in physical chemistry in Kazan and laid the foundation for the introduction of physical methods in the study of organic compounds.

He expressed original ideas about a new form of representation of the periodic system and a new "derivation" of the periodic law by D.I. Mendeleev, an attempt was made to create a unified theory of the structure and forms of chemical compounds, the properties of solutions and the interaction of substances in the solid state.

He is rightfully considered the discoverer of solid state chemistry. In 1901, he proposed the "Pocket Laboratory of Professor F.M. Flavitsky for the Study of the Chemistry of Solids and Application to Analysis According to His Method", he achieved its patenting in some countries; created a new system of chemical analysis, which is of interest at the present time.

Flavitsky is the author of serious works on wood chemistry, the founder of slashing in Russia. Rebuilt his theory of solutions, publishing in 1914 the article "Chemical Theory of Solutions", dated it "1897-1914". He is known for subtle and complex studies of complex natural substances - terpenes, an integral part of the resins of coniferous trees. This direction was further developed in the works A.E. Arbuzov and, in particular, B.A. Arbuzov.

The name of A.E. Arbuzov (1877-1968) is associated with the creation of a new chemical branch of the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds, which formed the foundation of the chemistry of organoelement compounds. The reaction discovered by A.E. Arbuzov, which bears his name, became, according to the figurative expression of the President of the USSR Academy of Sciences A.N. Nesmeyanov, the "pillar road" for the synthesis of forforo-organic compounds, many of which have received practical application.

The world-famous "Arbuzov" school of organophosphorus chemists originated in Kazan. Direct students of A.E. Arbuzov: B.A.Arbuzov, A.I.Razumov, V.S.Abramov, G.Kh.Kamay- the first most remarkable of its representatives. The school has branched out. G.Kh.Kamay developed the chemistry of organoarsenic compounds, A.N. Pudovik- organophosphorus compounds.

The role of A.E. Arbuzov as an organizer of science in Kazan is great. In 1928, the 5th Congress of the VHO named after D.I. Mendeleev, who celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of A.M. Butlerov. The congress decided to establish a chemical research institute at Kazan University, bearing the name of the great chemist. By the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR, from October 1, 1929, the Chemical Research Institute named after V.I. A.M. Butlerov. The director of the institute was prof. A.E. Arbuzov.

B.A. Arbuzov(1903-1991) for more than thirty years he was the head of Kazan chemists. He is the successor of his father in the Department of Organic Chemistry of Kazan University, according to NIHI. A.M. Butlerov. He is the organizer and first director of the Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry. A.E. Arbuzov, created in 1965

The scale of scientific activity of B.A. Arbuzov is huge. The chemistry of organophosphorus compounds, the chemistry of terpenes, the chemistry of unsaturated compounds, the stereochemistry of organic compounds are the main areas of his research. B.A. Arbuzov was among those who were the first to use physical research methods to study the structure and reactivity of organic compounds. In 1969, at the international symposium dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the discovery of phosphorus, B.A. Arbuzov, as an outstanding organophosphorus, was awarded the Grand Silver Medal of Paris.

The scientific contribution of students and followers of B.A. Arbuzov is weighty. Among them are Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Honorary Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, laureate of the State Prize A.N. Pudovik- one of the leaders in the field of chemistry of organophosphorus compounds; Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Honorary Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, laureate of the USSR State Prize P.A.Kirpichnikov- a major specialist in the field of macromolecular compounds; Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, laureate of the USSR State Prize A.I. Konovalov- researcher of the reactivity of unsaturated systems and intermolecular interactions; Professor A.N. Vereshchagin- known for his work on the study of the spatial structure of organic compounds and intramolecular interactions.

A major role in the further development of the Kazan School of Chemistry was played by the opening of the Faculty of Chemistry, which dates back to 1933. Initially, the faculty had two departments: inorganic (head of department prof. F.I.Bogoyavlensky) and organic chemistry (head of the department prof. V.V. Evlampiev), and only in 1935 two other departments were opened: analytical (head of the department prof. A.M.Vasiliev) and physical chemistry (head of the department prof. A.F. Gerasimov).

The Department of Polymer Chemistry was organized in 1948 in accordance with the decision of the party and the government on the accelerated development of the production of synthetic materials. The department is organized on the basis of the previously existing department of synthetic rubber and, later, technical chemistry. Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences A.N. Pudovik.

Until April 2003, the faculty included five departments of inorganic, analytical, organic, physical chemistry, chemistry of macromolecular compounds and several problem laboratories.

On April 21, 2003, in the life of not only university chemists, but of the entire Kazan University, not only a significant, but a truly historic event took place: on the basis of the decision of the Academic Council of Kazan State University, by merging two formally "independent" previously chemical departments of KSU (the Faculty of Chemistry and NIHI named after A.M. Butlerov) the Chemical Institute named after A.M. A.M. Butlerova.

This is a fundamentally new type of educational and scientific department of universities, which is based on the organic unity of fundamental science and higher education. In fact, this is a mini-model or prototype of a "research university". The idea of ​​creating such elite universities (and Kazan University deserves such a title in all respects) has long been in the bowels of the Russian scientific and educational community, including the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. However, until now, nationwide, it remains just an idea. Our university itself has taken a practical step towards its implementation. The director of the Chemical Institute was prof. V.I.Galkin.

A powerful educational and scientific complex has been created and is actively operating, which according to its educational potential, according to the data of the Ministry of Education, is the best among the 43 chemical departments of classical universities subordinate to it, and in terms of scientific potential it is quite commensurate with the leading research institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Now the new Institute has 5 departments and 7 research departments, where 26 doctors and more than 70 candidates of sciences work. Among them are an academician and 2 corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, an academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, more than 10 Honored Workers of Science of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, dozens of Soros professors and associate professors.

The achievements of students and post-graduate students cause the legitimate pride of the Chemical Institute. Every year they receive dozens of awards, scholarships and grants at the most prestigious International, Russian and Tatarstan competitions.

The new status did not go unnoticed and almost immediately began to bear fruit, a new powerful impetus for further development. From all over the country, universities, research institutes and leading enterprises in the chemical industry turn to us with proposals for cooperation. In October 2003, at the suggestion of the American side, a cooperation agreement was signed with InnoCentive.Inc. It should be noted that in Russia, this leading American corporation in the field of chemical research and technology has signed such agreements only with such world-famous chemical centers as the Russian Chemical Technical University named after. Mendeleev and chemical faculties of Moscow and St. Petersburg Universities.

The Institute trains chemists to work in scientific laboratories of higher educational institutions, academic and industrial research institutes, factory laboratories, schools, colleges, gymnasiums. Students receive fundamental knowledge in mathematics, physics and computer science, the necessary legal knowledge, get acquainted with the basics of economics and management, study foreign languages ​​in depth. Many graduates of the Institute work in organizations and services of the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic involved in the organization of environmental monitoring.

There is a museum at the Institute, which is the custodian of the history of the creation and development of the famous Kazan School of Chemistry. It retains the atmosphere of the XIX and XX centuries. The museum is visited by scientists from both Russia and near and far abroad, students and schoolchildren.

How is the Butlerov Institute of Chemistry developing today? How are graduates employed, and with whom does the institute cooperate? The Director of the Institute, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Galkin spoke about this and not only.

Before proceeding directly to questions - answers, we note that in recent years the Faculty of Chemistry has experienced a new birth. Both the building itself and its “stuffing” have been renovated: a number of classrooms have been refurbished, new scientific and educational laboratories have appeared, unique equipment has been put into operation. And now about everything in more detail.

- Vladimir Ivanovich, what can the Butlerov Chemical Institute of KFU boast of today?

Many! If we focus on the laboratories and, in general, on the new equipment of the Institute, then, first of all, I would like to talk about the laboratory of X-ray diffraction analysis, where a single-crystal diffractometer is installed - a device that allows you to directly obtain a "photo of molecules": what atoms are connected to each other, how, how they are arranged in space. After all, the main task of chemistry is to obtain new compounds with practically useful properties. This is the only direct method for determining the structure of a wide variety of compounds in a single crystal. There are many methods for determining the structure, but, unfortunately, most of them (physical, physico-chemical) "work" in solution and give indirect data. Laboratories of this class are few in our country and in the world.

I would add that in addition to the fact that the institute has found new laboratories, there is also an appropriate infrastructure - both for the work of researchers and the devices themselves. Considerable sums have been spent - 450 million rubles.

- How soon will these investments in science pay off?

When we talk about the payback of science, this is a rather complicated issue. There are two components to keep in mind. The first is the acquisition of new knowledge, which is invaluable in itself, and the second is the performance of practically useful work on orders from enterprises and partners. As a famous academician once said, fundamental science is such a multi-branched tree, and it is not known on which branch a new fruit will ripen, so you need to water the tree and take care of it.

If we turn to the history of Alma mater, then at the Kazan Imperial University there were "Department of Technology and Metallurgy" and "Department of Technology and Sciences related to trade and factories." Can you name the modern departments of the institute that are related to trade and factories? Who are your partners today?

If we translate the concept of "cooperation with trade and factories" into modern language, then we, chemists, should understand this as the creation of new chemical technologies that are implemented in the petrochemical industry. This direction is one of the most important in the work of our institute.

We cooperate with all leading chemical enterprises of Kazan and the republic. The closest ties in the applied aspect have developed with OAO Nizhnekamskneftekhim, the largest petrochemical plant in Europe. Within the framework of Government Decree No. 218 (cooperation between universities and industrial enterprises), Kazan University, represented by us, won a grant for the development of new catalysts for the production of chemically important products at Nizhnekamskneftekhim. New catalysts are being developed, which are higher in quality than world ones and at least an order of magnitude cheaper. The production of these catalysts has already been organized at the Mendeleev Plant, where the satellite plant of Nizhnekamskneftekhim is located. And now production is being built at the main plant.

In 2013, the grant was announced again, and we won it again. This cooperation will continue, but it extends not only to Nizhnekamskneftekhim, since all chemical enterprises need catalysts.

- And how does the catalyst "get" from the laboratory to the plant?

First, the catalyst is developed, then its structure is studied on our territory in the laboratory of heterogeneous catalysis, which is headed by Professor Lambert. We have setups that simulate four different types of reactors used at Nizhnekamskneftekhim for different processes. Next, the catalysts are tested under pilot conditions, after which all conditions and modes of operation in a real reactor are selected, and only then these results are transferred to Nizhnekamskneftekhim, to the laboratory branch on the territory of the plant.

A bit of history: From the first third of the 19th century (1835-1837), the Kazan School of Chemistry dates back to such names as N.N. Zinin, K.K. Klaus, A.M. Butlerov, V.V. Markovnikov and E.E. Wagner. In 1933, the Faculty of Chemistry appeared at Kazan University. But three years before that, in 1929, the Fifth Mendeleev Congress decided to establish the Butlerov Institute of Chemistry at Kazan University. However, since there were no opportunities then, they created a chemical research institute under the auspices of the Council of People's Commissars. That is, at the university for a long time there were two different structures of the chemical profile, which, in fact, were related. Faculty of Chemistry and NIHI were merged in 2003. So, after 74 years, the decision of the V Mendeleev Congress was finally implemented - the Chemical Institute named after A.I. A.M. Butlerova.

Let's talk about students. Whom is the institute preparing today? High school chemistry teachers, researchers, industry specialists?

First of all, we train elite research chemists. We provide fundamental education, and our graduates are in demand in the labor market. We receive applications from universities, research institutes, enterprises with which we cooperate. A significant part of the graduates remain in science. Approximately 30 percent enter the graduate school of Kazan University, another part - in the graduate school of other universities and research institutes.

- Are they going abroad?

They are leaving, but now it's still less. Rather, we can talk about scientific mobility. Only from my group 8 people left, who are now working in different countries. This is also a confirmation of the school, since our graduates are in demand all over the world.

- Is there a tendency to return? What do you associate it with?

What does a scientist need? If this is a person who loves science, then, of course, he should be able to realize himself. I must say that we have such opportunities. The Institute of Chemistry today is, on the one hand, a powerful educational and scientific unit, which is one of the three best chemical faculties according to the rating of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and is far ahead of other chemical faculties of classical universities. On the other hand, it is a research institute that has eight research departments. We employ 35 doctors of sciences, professors and more than 70 candidates of sciences. These are associate professors, teachers, researchers. A rare university can boast of such personnel potential.

Former KHTI, and now Kazan National Research Technological University - is it a competitor for you or a partner?

There is some competition between us, of course, in terms of reception. Although our enrollment is smaller, besides, Kazan Federal University has a specialist - for the natural sciences this is the best option, since you can immediately enter graduate school. I note that we have one of the highest USE in the country in chemistry.

What can you say about the new generations of applicants, Vladimir Ivanovich? Advanced youth comes or, on the contrary, weak?

Of course, we feel shortcomings in the system of modern school education, therefore, for some time now, we have been working closely with chemistry teachers, reviving the work of the Club of Young Chemists, a correspondence chemical school. Such actions are already affecting the regional composition of first-year students - 40% from Tatarstan, another 40 from outside the republic.

It is gratifying that the newly equipped laboratories now make it possible to proudly receive guests from the school. We show the best equipment and see that our laboratories arouse the keenest interest among schoolchildren. All this allows us to hope that it is the advanced guys who want to get an elite chemical education that will aspire to us.