Editing Friedrich Wöhler

{{short description|German chemist (1800–1882)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name              = Friedrich Wöhler
| image             = Friedrich Wöhler Litho.jpg
| image_size        = 
| caption           = Friedrich Wöhler, {{circa|1856}}
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|df=yes|1800|7|31}}
| birth_place       = [[Eschersheim]], [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel]], [[Holy Roman Empire]] {{small|(now [[Eschersheim|Frankfurt-Eschersheim]], [[Hesse]], [[Germany]])}}
| education         = [[Heidelberg University]]
| nationality       = German
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1882|9|23|1800|7|31}}
| death_place       = [[Göttingen]], [[Province of Hanover]], [[Kingdom of Prussia]], [[German Empire]]
| field             = [[Organic chemistry]]<br>[[Biochemistry]]
| work_institutions = [[Berliner Gewerbeschule]]<br>''Höhere Gewerbeschule'' at [[Kassel]]<br>[[University of Göttingen]]
| alma_mater        = 
| doctoral_advisor  = [[Leopold Gmelin]]<br>[[Jöns Jakob Berzelius]]
| doctoral_students = [[Heinrich Limpricht]]<br>[[Rudolph Fittig]]<br>[[Adolph Wilhelm Hermann Kolbe]]<br>[[Georg Ludwig Carius]]<br>[[Albert Niemann (chemist)|Albert Niemann]]<br>[[Vojtěch Šafařík]]<br>[[Carl Schmidt (chemist)|Carl Schmidt]]<br>[[Bernhard Tollens]]<br>[[Theodor Zincke]]
| notable_students  = [[Augustus Voelcker]]<br>[[Wilhelm Kühne]]<br>[[James Curtis Booth]]
| known_for         = [[Organic chemistry]]<br>[[Benzoin condensation]]<br>[[Cocrystal]]<br>Discovery of [[sodium tungsten bronze]]<br>[[Hydroquinone]]<br>[[Isocyanic acid]]<br>Isolation of [[beryllium]]<br>Isolation of [[yttrium]]<br>[[Isomer]]ism<br>[[Wöhler synthesis]]<br>[[Wöhler process]]
| prizes            = [[Cothenius Medal awardees, 1864–1953|Cothenius Medal]] (1880)<br>[[Copley Medal]] (1872)<br>[[List of recipients of the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts|Pour le Mérite]] (1864)<br>[[List_of_fellows_of_the_Royal_Society_W,_X,_Y,_Z#Foreign_members|ForMemRS]] (1854)
| spouse            = {{ubl|{{marriage|Franziska Maria Wöhler|1828|1832|end=d.}}|{{marriage|Julie Pfeiffer|1834}}}}
| children          = 6
| religion          = 
| footnotes         = 
}}

'''Friedrich Wöhler''' [[Royal Society of London|FRS(For)]] Hon[[FRSE]] ({{IPA|de|ˈvøːlɐ|lang}}; 31 July 1800{{spnd}}23 September 1882) was a German [[chemist]] known for his work in both [[organic chemistry|organic]] and [[inorganic chemistry]], being the first to isolate the [[chemical element]]s [[beryllium]] and [[yttrium]] in pure metallic form. He was the first to prepare several inorganic compounds, including [[silane]] and [[silicon nitride]].<ref name="SHI">{{cite web |title=Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Wöhler |url=https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/justus-von-liebig-and-friedrich-wohler |website=sciencehistory.org |date=June 2016 |publisher=Science History Institute |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>

Wöhler is also known for seminal contributions in [[organic chemistry]], in particular, the [[Wöhler synthesis]] of [[urea]].<ref name="Keen">{{cite book |author-last=Keen |author-first=Robin |editor-last=Buttner |editor-first=Johannes |title=The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882)|date=2005 |publisher=Bautz|url=https://content.bautz.de/neuerscheinungen-2005/pdf/9783883092249.pdf}}</ref> 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".<ref name="SHI" /> However, the exact extent of Wöhler's role in diminishing the belief in [[vitalism]] is considered by some to be questionable.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ball |first1=Philip |title=Urea and the Wohler Myth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b6p8g2 |website=BBC }}</ref>

==Biography==
Friedrich Wöhler was born in [[Eschersheim]], Germany, and was the son of a [[veterinarian]]. As a boy, he showed interest in mineral collecting, drawing, and science.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaffe |first=Bernard |url=https://www.issx.org/page/FriedrichWoehler |title=Crucibles-The Stories of Great Chemists |publisher=[[The World Publishing Company]] |year=1942 |pages=175–198 |chapter=Wohler-Urea Without a Kidney}}</ref> His [[secondary education]] was at the Frankfurt Gymnasium. During his time at the gymnasium, Wöhler began chemical experimentation in a home laboratory provided by his father. He began his higher education at [[Marburg University]] in 1820.<ref name="Weeks"/><ref name="Partington">{{cite book |last1=Partington |first1=James Riddick |title=History of Chemistry, vol. 4 |date=1964 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-1888262131 |pages=320–331}}</ref>

On 2 September 1823, Wöhler passed his examinations as a Doctor of Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics at [[Heidelberg University]], having studied in the laboratory of chemist [[Leopold Gmelin]].  Gmelin encouraged him to focus on chemistry and arranged for Wöhler to conduct research under the direction of chemist [[Jacob Berzelius]] in [[Stockholm]], Sweden.<ref name="Weeks"/><ref name="Kauffman">{{Cite journal |last1=Kauffman |first1=George B.  |last2=Chooljian |first2=Steven H. |title= Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882), on the Bicentennial of His Birth |journal=The Chemical Educator |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=121–133 |year=2001 |doi=10.1007/s00897010444a|s2cid=93425404 }}</ref> Wöhler's time in Stockholm with Berzelius marked the beginning of a long personal and professional relationship between the two scientists. Wöhler translated many of Berzelius's scientific writings into German for international publication.<ref name="Partington" /> In his lifetime, Wöhler wrote about 275 books, editions, and papers.<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1882 |title=Friedrich Wohler |url=https://login.ezproxy3.lhl.uab.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/friedrich-wohler/docview/89623242 |journal=American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston. Proceedings (1846-1906) |publisher=[[American Periodicals Series III]] |volume=XVIII |pages=1–3 |issn=0199-9818}}</ref>

From 1826 to 1831, Wöhler taught chemistry at the [[Gewerbeschule]] in [[Berlin]]. From 1831 until 1836, he taught at the ''Höhere Gewerbeschule'' at [[Kassel]]. In the spring of 1836, Wöhler became [[Friedrich Stromeyer|Friedrich Stromeyer's]] successor as an [[Academic ranks in Germany#Main positions|Ordinary Professor]] of Chemistry at the [[University of Göttingen]], where he occupied the chair of chemistry for 46 years, until his death in 1882. During his time at Göttingen approximately 8000 research students were trained in his laboratory. In 1834, he was elected a foreign member of the [[Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences]].<ref name="Partington" />

==Contributions to chemistry==
===Inorganic chemistry===
[[File:Aluminium-4.jpg|right|thumb|A sample of aluminium]]
[[File:Beryllium metal.jpg|thumb|right|A sample of beryllium in elemental form]]
[[File:Yttrium sublimed dendritic and 1cm3 cube.jpg|thumb|right|Samples of yttrium in elemental form]]
[[File:August Anton Wöhler.jpg|thumb|August Anton Wöhler, father of Friedrich Wöhler]]
Wöhler investigated more than twenty‐five [[chemical elements]] during his career.<ref name="Hoppe" /> [[Hans Christian Ørsted]] was the first to separate the element aluminium in 1825, using a reduction of [[aluminium chloride]] with a [[potassium amalgam]].<ref name="Britannica">{{cite web |title=Aluminum |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/aluminum |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. |access-date=19 May 2020|date=14 October 2019}}</ref> Although Ørsted published his findings on the isolation of aluminium in the form of small particles, no other investigators successfully replicated his findings until 1936. Ørsted is now credited with discovering aluminium.<ref name="Skrabec">{{cite book|author=Quentin R. Skrabec|title=Aluminum in America: A History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8zTDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA11|date=6 February 2017|publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-2564-5 |pages=10–11}}</ref> Ørsted's findings on aluminium preparation were developed further by Wöhler, with Ørsted's permission. Wöhler modified Ørsted's methods, substituting potassium metal for potassium amalgam for the reduction of aluminium chloride. Using this improved method, Wöhler isolated aluminium powder in pure form on 22 October 1827. He showed that the aluminium powder could convert to solid balls of pure metallic aluminium in 1845. For this work, Wöhler is credited with the first isolation of aluminium in pure form.<ref name="Smelting">{{cite web |title=Aluminum Discovery and Extraction – A Brief History |url=http://www.aluminum-production.com/aluminum_history.html |website=The Aluminum Smelting Process |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="RUSAL">{{cite web |title=ALUMINIUM HISTORY |url=https://www.aluminiumleader.com/history/industry_history/ |website=All about aluminium |publisher=UC RUSAL |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>

In 1828, Wöhler was the first to isolate the element [[beryllium]] in pure metallic form (also independently isolated by [[Antoine Bussy]]).<ref name="Weeks">{{cite book |last1=Weeks |first1=Mary Elvira |title=The discovery of the elements |date=1956 |publisher=Journal of Chemical Education |location=Easton, PA |url=https://archive.org/details/discoveryoftheel002045mbp |edition=6th }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Beryllium |url=https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/4/beryllium |website=Royal Society of Chemistry |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> In the same year, he became the first to isolate the element [[yttrium]] in pure metallic form.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yttrium |url=https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/39/yttrium |website=Royal Society of Chemistry |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> He achieved these preparations by heating the anhydrous chlorides of beryllium and yttrium with [[potassium]] metal.<ref name="Partington" />

In 1850, Wöhler determined that what was believed until then to be metallic [[titanium]] was a mixture of titanium, [[carbon]], and [[nitrogen]], from which he derived the purest form isolated to that time.<ref name="Saltzman">{{cite web |last1=Saltzman |first1=Martin D. |title=Wöhler, Friedrich |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/science-and-technology/chemistry-biographies/friedrich-wohler |website=encyclopedia.com |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> (Elemental titanium was later isolated in completely pure form in 1910 by [[Matthew A. Hunter]].)<ref name="Titanium">{{cite web |title=Titanium |url=https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/22/titanium |website=Royal Society of Chemistry |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> He also developed a [[chemical synthesis]] of [[calcium carbide]] and [[silicon nitride]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Deville |first1=H. |last2=Wohler |first2=F. | year =1857| title= Erstmalige Erwähnung von Si3N4| journal = Liebigs Ann. Chem. | volume = 104| page = 256}}</ref>

Wöhler, working with French chemist [[Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville|Sainte Claire Deville]], isolated the element [[boron]] in a crystalline form. He also isolated the element [[silicon]] in a crystalline form. Crystalline forms of these two elements were previously unknown. In 1856, working with Heinrich Buff, Wöhler prepared the inorganic compound [[silane]] (SiH<sub>4</sub>). He prepared the first samples of [[boron nitride]] by melting together [[boric acid]] and [[potassium cyanide]]. He also developed a method for the preparation of [[calcium carbide]].<ref name="Partington" />

Wöhler had an interest in the chemical composition of [[meteorite]]s. He showed that some meteoric stones contain organic matter. He analyzed meteorites, and for many years wrote the digest on the literature of meteorites in the ''[[Jahresberichte über die Fortschritte der Chemie]]''. Wöhler accumulated the best private collection of meteoric stones and irons that existed.<ref name="Partington" />

===Organic chemistry===
In 1832, lacking his own laboratory facilities at Kassel, Wöhler worked with [[Justus Liebig]] in his [[Giessen]] laboratory. In that year, Wöhler and Liebig published an investigation of the oil of [[bitter almonds]]. Through their detailed analysis of the chemical composition of this oil, they proved by their experiments that a group of [[carbon]], [[hydrogen]], and [[oxygen]] [[atom]]s can behave chemically as if it were the equivalent of a single atom, take the place of an atom in a [[chemical compound]], and be exchanged for other atoms in chemical compounds. Specifically, their research on the oil of bitter almonds showed that a group of elements with the chemical composition C<sub>7</sub>H<sub>5</sub>O can be thought of as a single functional group, which came to be known as a benzoyl radical. In this way, the investigations of Wöhler and Liebig established a new concept in organic chemistry referred to as [[Radical theory|compound radicals]], which had a profound influence on the development of organic chemistry. Many more [[functional groups]] were later identified by subsequent investigators with wide utility in chemistry.<ref name="Partington" />

Liebig and Wöhler explored the concept of [[Isomer|chemical isomerism]], the idea that two chemical compounds with identical [[chemical composition]]s could be different substances because of different arrangements of the atoms in the [[chemical structure]].<ref name="SHI" /> Aspects of chemical isomerism originated in the research of Berzelius. Liebig and Wöhler investigated [[silver fulminate]] and [[silver cyanate]]. These two compounds have the same chemical composition yet are chemically different. Silver fulminate is explosive, while silver cyanate is a stable compound. Liebig and Wöhler recognized these as examples of structural isomerism, which was a significant advance in understanding chemical isomerism.<ref name="JChemEd">{{cite journal |last1=Esteban |first1=Soledad |title=Liebig–Wöhler Controversy and the Concept of Isomerism |journal=Journal of Chemical Education |date=2008 |volume=85 |issue=9 |page=1201|doi=10.1021/ed085p1201 |bibcode=2008JChEd..85.1201E }}</ref>

Wöhler has also been regarded as a pioneering researcher in [[organic chemistry]] as a result of his 1828 demonstration of the laboratory synthesis of [[urea]] from [[ammonium cyanate]], in a chemical reaction that came to be known as the "[[Wöhler synthesis]]".<ref name="Weeks"/><ref name="Rabinovich">{{cite journal |last1=Rabinovich |first1=Daniel |title=Wöhler's Masterpiece |url=http://publications.iupac.org/ci/2007/2905/si.html |journal=Chemistry International | volume =  29| issue= 5 |date= 2007 |access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="Urea">{{Cite journal |last=Wöhler  |first=Friedrich |year=1828 |title=Ueber künstliche Bildung des Harnstoffs |journal=[[Annalen der Physik und Chemie]] |volume=88 |issue=2 |pages=253–256 |doi=10.1002/andp.18280880206  |url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k15097k/f261.chemindefer|bibcode = 1828AnP....88..253W}} — Available in English at:  {{cite web |url=http://www.chemteam.info/Chem-History/Wohler-article.html |title=Chem Team}}</ref> Urea and ammonium cyanate are further examples of structural isomers of chemical compounds. Heating ammonium cyanate converts it into urea, which is its isomer. In a letter to Swedish chemist [[Jöns Jacob Berzelius]] the same year, he wrote, 'In a manner of speaking, I can no longer hold my chemical water. I must tell you that I can make urea without the use of kidneys of any animal, be it man or dog.'<ref>Chemie heute, Schroedel Verlag, Klasse 9/10. Chapter 3: Chemie der Kohlenwasserstoffe. Excursus pg. 64, {{ISBN|978-3-507-86192-3}}. Translated from original: "Ich kann, so zu sagen, mein chemisches Wasser nicht halten und muss ihnen sagen, daß ich Harnstoff machen kann, ohne dazu Nieren oder überhaupt ein Thier, sey es Mensch oder Hund, nöthig zu haben."</ref>

[[File:Urea Synthesis Woehler.png|thumb|center|Wöhler synthesis of urea by heating ammonium cyanate. The Δ sign indicates the addition of heat.]]
Wöhler's demonstration of urea synthesis has become regarded as a refutation of [[vitalism]], the hypothesis that living things are alive because of some special "vital force".
It was the beginning of the end for one popular vitalist hypothesis, the idea that "organic" compounds could be made only by living things.
In responding to Wöhler, Jöns Jakob Berzelius  acknowledged that Wöhler's results were highly significant for the understanding of organic chemistry, calling the findings a "jewel" for Wöhler's "laurel wreath". Both scientists also recognized the work's importance to the study of [[isomerism]], a new area of research.<ref name="Rocke"/>

Wöhler's role in overturning vitalism is said to have become exaggerated over time. This tendency can be traced back to [[Hermann Franz Moritz Kopp|Hermann Kopp]]'s ''History of Chemistry'' (in four volumes, 1843–1847). He emphasized the importance of Wöhler's research as a refutation of vitalism but ignored its importance in understanding chemical isomerism, setting a tone for subsequent writers.<ref name="Rocke">{{cite book|last=Rocke |first=Alan J. | title=The Quiet Revolution: Hermann Kolbe and the Science of Organic Chemistry |editor=University of California Press | location=Berkeley |date=1993 | isbn=978-0520081109 |pages=239– |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5evb11uV078C&pg=PA396 }}</ref>
The notion that Wöhler single-handedly overturned vitalism also gained popularity after it appeared in a popular history of chemistry published in 1931, which, "ignoring all pretense of historical accuracy, turned Wöhler into a crusader".<ref name="Ambix">{{cite journal|doi=10.1179/amb.2000.47.3.170|pmid=11640223|title=The Death of Vitalism and the Birth of Organic Chemistry: Wohler's Urea Synthesis and the Disciplinary Identity of Organic Chemistry|journal=Ambix|volume=47|issue=3|pages=170–195|year=2000|last1=Ramberg|first1=Peter J.|s2cid=44613876}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = McKie | first1 = Douglas | year = 1944 | title = Wöhler's syntethic Urea and the rejection of Vitalism: a chemical Legend | journal = Nature | volume = 153 | issue = 3890| pages = 608–610 | doi = 10.1038/153608a0 |bibcode = 1944Natur.153..608M | s2cid = 4086935 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Brooke | first1 = John H. | year = 1968 | title = Wöhler's Urea and its Vital Force – a verdict from the Chemists | journal = Ambix | volume = 15 | issue = 2| pages = 84–114 | doi=10.1179/000269868791519757}}</ref><ref name="Schummer">{{cite journal |last=Schummer  |first=Joachim  |year=2003 |url=http://www.joachimschummer.net/papers/2003_NatureChemistry_SHPS.pdf |title=The notion of nature in chemistry |journal=Studies in History and Philosophy of Science |volume=34|issue=4 |pages=705–736 |doi=10.1016/s0039-3681(03)00050-5|bibcode=2003SHPSA..34..705S }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Uray | first1 = Johannes | year = 2009 | title = Mythos Harnstoffsynthese | journal = Nachrichten aus der Chemie | volume = 57 | issue = 9| pages = 943–944 | doi=10.1002/nadc.200966159}}</ref><ref>Johannes Uray: ''Die Wöhlersche Harnstoffsynthese und das wissenschaftliche Weltbild''. Graz, Leykam, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Uray | first1 = Johannes | year = 2010 | title = Die Wöhlersche Harnstoffsynhtese und das Wissenschaftliche Weltbild – Analyse eines Mythos | journal = Mensch, Wissenschaft, Magie | volume = 27 | pages = 121–152 }}</ref><ref name="Ramberg">Ramberg, Peter, "Myth 7. That Friedrich Wöhler's Synthesis of Urea in 1828 Destroyed Vitalism and Gave Rise to Organic Chemistry" eds. Numbers, Ronald L., and Kostas Kampourakis, ''Newton's apple and other myths about science.'' Harvard university press, 2015, 59–66.</ref>

Contrary to what was thought in Wöhler's time, cyanate is not a purely inorganic anion, as it is formed in various metabolic pathways.<ref>{{cite journal | doi= 10.1038/s43247-021-00235-2 | first1 = Maria  | last1 = Mooshammer|first2 = Wolfgang  | last2 = Wanek | first3 = Stephen H. |last3 = Jones| first4 = Andreas |last4 = Richter | first5 = Michael |last5 = Wagner| title = Cyanate is a low abundance but actively cycled nitrogen compound in soil | journal = Communications Earth & Environment | year= 2021 | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages= 161| bibcode = 2021ComEE...2..161M | s2cid = 236993568 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Thus the conversion of ammonium cyanate into urea was not an example of production of an organic compound from an inorganic precursor.

== Education reform ==
Once Wöhler became a professor at the [[University of Göttingen]], students traveled from around the world to be instructed by him. Wöhler saw particular success in his students after giving them hands-on experience in the lab. This practice was later adopted around the world, becoming the chemistry lab co-requisite that is required at most universities today.

Wöhler also allowed his students to participate and aid him in his research, which was not typical at the time. This practice became nearly universal, normalizing the undergraduate and graduate-level research that is a requirement for numerous degrees today.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Friedrich Wöhler {{!}} German chemist {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Wohler |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Final days and legacy==
[[File:DBP 1982 1148 Friedrich Wöhler.jpg|thumb|German postal stamp honoring Friedrich Wöhler on the 100th anniversary of his death]]
Wöhler's discoveries had a significant influence on the theoretical basis of chemistry. The journals of every year from 1820 to 1881 contain his original scientific contributions. The ''[[Scientific American]]'' supplement for 1882 stated that "for two or three of his researches he deserves the highest honor a scientific man can obtain, but the sum of his work is  overwhelming. Had he never lived, the aspect of chemistry would be very different from that it is now".<ref>[http://www.fullbooks.com/Scientific-American-Supplement-No-3621.html Scientific American Supplement No. 362, 9 Dec 1882]. Fullbooks.com. Retrieved on 28 May 2014.</ref>

Wöhler's notable research students included chemists [[Georg Ludwig Carius]], [[Heinrich Limpricht]], [[Rudolph Fittig]], [[Adolph Wilhelm Hermann Kolbe]], [[Albert Niemann (chemist)|Albert Niemann]], [[Vojtěch Šafařík]], [[Wilhelm Kühne]], and [[Augustus Voelcker]].<ref name="Goddard">{{cite ODNB |last=Goddard |first=Nicholas |year=2004 |title=Voelcker, (John Christopher) Augustus (1822–1884) |id=28345}} {{DNBfirst|wstitle=Voelcker, John Christopher Augustus}}</ref>

Wöhler was elected a [[Fellow]] of the [[Royal Society of London]] in 1854.<ref name="RoyalSociety">{{cite web |title=Portrait of Frederick Wohler |url=https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11378 |website=royalsociety.org |publisher=The Royal Society |access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> He was an [[Honorary Fellow]] of the [[Royal Society of Edinburgh]].<ref name="RoyalSocietyEdinburgh">{{cite book |title=Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh |publisher=Royal Society of Edinburgh |page=xvi |edition=Volume 27}}</ref> In 1862, Wöhler was elected a member of the [[American Philosophical Society]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=APS Member History|url=https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?year=1862;year-max=1862;smode=advanced;startDoc=1|access-date=2021-04-20|website=search.amphilsoc.org}}</ref>

''The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882)'' (2005) by Robin Keen is considered to be "the first detailed scientific biography" of Wöhler.<ref name="Hoppe">{{cite journal |last1=Hoppe |first1=Brigitte |title=Robin Keen: The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882) |journal=Isis |date=March 2007 |volume=98 |issue=1 |pages=195–196 |doi=10.1086/519116 }}</ref>

On the 100th anniversary of Wöhler's death, the West German government issued a stamp depicting the structure of urea with its synthesis formula listed directly below.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Shampo |first1=Marc A. |last2=Kyle |first2=Robert A. |title=Early German Physician First To Synthesize Urea |url=https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(12)60740-X/pdf |access-date=November 17, 2022 |journal=Mayo Clinic Proceedings|year=1985 |volume=60 |issue=10 |page=662 |doi=10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60740-x |pmid=3897732 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Family==
[[File:Göttingen Stadtfriedhof Grab Friedrich Wöhler 2.jpg|thumb|Grave of Friedrich Wöhler]]
[[File:Friedrich-Wöhler-Gymnasium in Singen - Haupteingang.JPG|thumb|Friedrich-Wöhler-Gymnasium in Singen-Haupteingang]]
Wöhler's first marriage was in 1828,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friedrich-Wohler|title=Friedrich Wöhler|website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> to his cousin Franziska Maria Wöhler (1811–1832). The couple had two children, a son (August) and a daughter (Sophie). After Franziska's death, he married Julie Pfeiffer (1813–1886) in 1834,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drw.saw-leipzig.de/10258|title=Wöhler, Friedrich|website=[[Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig]]|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref> with whom he had four daughters: Fanny, Helene, Emilie, and Pauline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lagis-hessen.de/pnd/118634488|title=Hessian Biography: Wöhler, Friedrich|website=Hessian Regional History Information System|access-date=29 July 2020}}</ref>

==Further works==
Further works from Wöhler:
* ''Lehrbuch der Chemie'', Dresden, 1825, 4 vols, {{OCLC|5150170}}
* ''Grundriss der Anorganischen Chemie'', Berlin, 1830, {{OCLC|970005145}}
* ''Grundriss der Chemie'', Berlin, 1837–1858 [http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:061:2-29177 Vol. 1 & 2 (digital edition)] by the [[University and State Library Düsseldorf]]
* [https://books.google.com/books/about/W%C3%B6hler_s_Grundriss_der_organischen_chem.html?id=e-s-AAAAYAAJ ''Grundriss der Organischen Chemie''], Berlin, 1840
* ''Praktische Übungen in der Chemischen Analyse'', Berlin, 1854, {{OCLC|254555919}}
* ''Early Recollections of a Chemist'', 1875
* [https://link.springer.com/journal/11583/volumes-and-issues ''Nuovo Cimento'', 1855-1868 Vol. 1-28]

==See also==
* [[Benzoin condensation]]
* [[History of aluminium]]
* [[Stanley Miller]]
* [[Hilaire Rouelle|Hilaire Marin Rouelle]]
* [[Kassel]]
* [[Structural isomer|Structural Isomer]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |author-last=Keen |author-first=Robin |editor-last=Buttner |editor-first=Johannes |title=The Life and Work of Friedrich Wöhler (1800–1882)|date=2005 |publisher=Bautz|url=https://content.bautz.de/neuerscheinungen-2005/pdf/9783883092249.pdf}}
* Johannes Valentin: ''Friedrich Wöhler''. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart ("Grosse Naturforscher" 7) 1949.
* Georg Schwedt: ''Der Chemiker Friedrich Wöhler''. Hischymia 2000.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikisource author}}
{{Library resources box|by=yes|onlinebooksby=yes|viaf=69032268}}
* {{Cite PSM |last=Joy |first=Charles A. |author-link=Charles A. Joy |wstitle=Biographical Sketch of Frederick Wöhler|volume=17|month-and-year=August 1880}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Wöhler, Friedrich |short=x}}
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Wöhler, Friedrich |short=x}}
* {{Cite EB9 |last=Dittmar |first=William |wstitle=Wöhler, Friedrich|volume=24|short=x}}
* {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Wöhler, Friedrich |short=x}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=Friedrich Wöhler |sopt=w}}

{{Copley Medallists 1851–1900}}
{{portalbar|Chemistry|biography|germany}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wohler, Friedrich}}
[[Category:1800 births]]
[[Category:1882 deaths]]
[[Category:Discoverers of chemical elements]]
[[Category:19th-century German chemists]]
[[Category:University of Marburg alumni]]
[[Category:Heidelberg University alumni]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Göttingen]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Copley Medal]]
[[Category:Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Corresponding members of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pour le Mérite (civil class)]]
[[Category:Scientists from Frankfurt]]
[[Category:Foreign members of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Foreign associates of the National Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Rare earth scientists]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cothenius Medal]]
[[Category:International members of the American Philosophical Society]]