Ten fun facts about Emil Fischer

1. Hermann A Life in Science

On October 9, 1852, Hermann Emil Fischer was born in Euskirchen, a small town in the Cologne district of Germany. Fischer would go on to become one of the most influential chemists of the 19th century, winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1902 for his work on the sugar and purine syntheses. He also made significant contributions to the fields of enzyme chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. His discoveries and theories laid the groundwork for the development of modern pharmaceuticals and the understanding of the structure of proteins.

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2. A Chemist Who Made a Difference

In 1869, Emil Fischer achieved a remarkable feat when he passed his final examination at Wetzlar with distinction. His impressive performance was a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it marked the beginning of a successful career in the field of chemistry.

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3. A Life in Chemistry

When Emil Fischer encountered Adolf von Baeyer, he was so inspired by the renowned chemist that he decided to devote his life to the field. He went on to pursue a PhD at Strasbourg, where he wrote a thesis on fluoresceine and orcin-phthalein, two organic compounds that are widely used in the field of chemistry. Fischer's work on these compounds has had a lasting impact on the field, and his legacy continues to be felt today.

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4. The Discovery of Phenyl Hydrazine

Emil Fischer's later work was highly influential in the discovery of phenyl hydrazine, although the exact circumstances of the discovery remain unclear. It is believed that the discovery was accidental, and it has since become a widely-used reagent in organic synthesis. Fischer's work in this area has been highly praised, and his contributions to the field of organic chemistry have been invaluable.

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5. A Life in Chemistry

In 1875, Emil Fischer began his career as an assistant to the renowned chemist, von Baeyer, at the University of Munich's Leibig Institute. Here, Fischer was able to gain invaluable experience in the field of chemistry, which would later lead to his groundbreaking discoveries in the field. His time at the Leibig Institute was a crucial stepping stone in his career, and it was here that he began to make a name for himself in the scientific community.

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6. Pioneer of Organic Chemistry

Emil Fischer is renowned for his pioneering work in the field of organic chemistry, particularly his studies of glucosides, purines and sugars from 1882 to 1906. He was the first to prove the existence of mirror-image molecules, a discovery which has had a profound impact on the development of modern chemistry. His work laid the foundation for the understanding of the structure and function of carbohydrates, and his findings have been used to develop treatments for a variety of diseases.

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7. Fischer's Laboratory: A History of Innovation

In the late 19th century, Emil Fischer's laboratory was a hub of activity, producing a plethora of artificial derivatives that were analogous to naturally-occurring substances. Between 1882 and 1896, Fischer and his team of scientists created a vast array of compounds, ranging from simple sugars to complex proteins, that were structurally similar to their natural counterparts. This groundbreaking work laid the foundation for the development of modern synthetic chemistry and revolutionized the field of biochemistry.

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8. Sugar Chemist Who Made a Significant Contribution

The renowned German chemist, Emil Fischer, made a significant contribution to the field of sugar chemistry. He was able to successfully synthesize some of the most well-known sugars, such as fructose and glucose, and identified a total of 16 different forms of glucose. His work in this area was groundbreaking and helped to further our understanding of the structure and properties of sugars.

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9. The Father of Protein Research

In 1888, Emil Fischer was appointed Professor of Chemistry at the University of Würzburg, where he remained until 1892. During this time, he made significant contributions to the field of protein research, which continued to be felt between 1899 and 1908. His work was instrumental in advancing the understanding of proteins, and his discoveries are still relevant today.

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10. Emil Fischer's Legacy Lives On

In 1919, the German Chemical Society instituted the Emil Fischer Memorial Medal in honour of the renowned chemist, Emil Fischer, who had tragically passed away that same year due to cancer. The medal was created to commemorate his immense contributions to the field of chemistry, and to ensure that his legacy would live on.

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