Chemistry Quote by John Cornforth
“The essential principles of the three-dimensional structure of organic molecules had been correctly formulated by the first Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Jacobus van't Hoff, as early as 1874.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of the Chemical Bond, Linus Pauling, 1939
The quote notes that Jacobus van't Hoff first described the 3D arrangement of organic molecules in 1874, establishing foundational concepts for stereochemistry.
In simple terms: Van't Hoff defined 3D molecular structure early on.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the historical roots of stereochemistry.
Themes
chemistry
history
stereochemistry
Mood
academic
reflective
Type
scientific
historical
When to use this quote
- organic synthesis
- pharmaceutical design
- educational curricula
- research methodology
Key Concepts
molecular geometry
Nobel laureates
Questions to Reflect On
- How did van't Hoff's ideas influence modern chemistry?
- What limitations existed in 19th‑century molecular models?
A Different Perspective
Early models lacked quantum theory, limiting precision.
![“[The] structural theory is of extreme simplicity. It assumes that the molecule is held together by links between one atom and the next: that every kind of atom can form a definite small number of such links: that these can be single, double or triple: that the groups may take up any position…” quote by Nevil Vincent Sidgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d0/nevil-vincent-sidgwick-133243_chemistry_the-structural-theory-is-of-extreme-simp_403895.jpg)
