Alfred Werner
He developed the coordination theory of transition metal complexes, revolutionizing inorganic chemistry.
Most quoted
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution."
— from Attributed
"The existence of isomers, differing only in the spatial arrangement of their constituent atoms, provides strong evidence for the three-dimensional nature of molecules."
— from Habilitationsschrift, University of Zurich, 1893
"The primary valencies are those which are satisfied by the formation of ions, while the secondary valencies are satisfied by the formation of non-ionizable groups."
— from Neuere Anschauungen auf dem Gebiete der anorganischen Chemie, 1907
All quotes by Alfred Werner (414)
I was born with a chemical formula in my head.
The coordination theory is not a theory in the usual sense, but rather a generalization of experimental facts.
The number of atoms or groups directly attached to the central atom is the coordination number.
The coordination theory is a unifying principle that brings order to the vast and complex field of inorganic chemistry.
Stereochemistry is not merely a branch of organic chemistry; it is a fundamental aspect of all chemistry.
The existence of optical isomerism in inorganic compounds is a direct consequence of the octahedral arrangement of ligands.
Chemistry is not just about formulas and equations; it is about understanding the fundamental nature of matter.
The beauty of chemistry lies in its ability to explain the seemingly inexplicable.
To discover is to see what everyone else has seen and to think what no one else has thought.
The greatest joy in science is the moment of discovery, when a new piece of the puzzle falls into place.
One must be prepared to challenge established dogma if one is to advance scientific understanding.
The coordination theory was met with considerable skepticism, but ultimately, experimental evidence prevailed.
The central atom in a complex compound is not merely a point of attachment, but an active participant in the bonding.
The concept of primary and secondary valencies was crucial to understanding the structure of coordination compounds.
The study of coordination compounds opens up a vast new field of chemical research.
Without experimental verification, a theory is merely speculation.
The true measure of a scientific theory is its ability to predict new phenomena.
I have always been driven by a desire to understand the underlying principles of chemical reactions.
The development of coordination chemistry has profound implications for biology and medicine.
The world of chemistry is full of hidden symmetries and elegant structures, waiting to be discovered.
Contemporaries of Alfred Werner
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Alfred Werner (1866–1919).