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)
The coordination theory is one of the most important achievements of modern chemistry.
The Nobel Prize is a great honor, but it is also a great responsibility.
I am deeply grateful to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for this high distinction.
The theory of coordination was born from the need to explain the existence of compounds that did not fit into the classical theory of valence.
In science, the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.
The beauty of a theory lies in its ability to explain a wide range of phenomena.
Chemistry is the science of matter and its transformations.
Inorganic chemistry is not a dead science; it is full of life and surprises.
The study of coordination compounds has revealed new aspects of chemical bonding.
The coordination number is a key concept for understanding the chemistry of metals.
The geometry of a complex is determined by the coordination number and the nature of the ligands.
Ligands are not simply attached to the metal ion; they interact with it in a specific way.
The color of a complex is due to the absorption of light by the metal-ligand bonds.
The magnetic properties of a complex provide information about the electronic structure of the metal ion.
Coordination compounds play an important role in biological systems.
The discovery of new coordination compounds is a never-ending story.
The synthesis of coordination compounds requires skill and patience.
The analysis of coordination compounds is a challenging task.
Coordination chemistry is a bridge between inorganic and organic chemistry.
The future of coordination chemistry is bright.
Contemporaries of Alfred Werner
Other Chemistrys born within 50 years of Alfred Werner (1866–1919).