Otto Wallach

Date of Birth: March 27, 1847

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: February 26, 1931

Biography

Otto Wallach was a pioneering German chemist born on March 27, 1847, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). He is best known for his work in the field of organic chemistry, specifically his research on alicyclic compounds. Wallach’s contributions to chemistry were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1910. He began his higher education at the University of Göttingen, where he studied under Friedrich Wöhler and Heinrich Limpricht. After completing his doctorate in 1869, he worked in both academic and industrial settings, including a stint at the University of Bonn. Wallach’s research was instrumental in the understanding of terpenes and essential oils, leading to the development of new synthetic methods and the elucidation of chemical structures. Wallach’s systematic study of terpenes laid the groundwork for the modern field of organic chemistry. He passed away on February 26, 1931, in Göttingen, Germany, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the field of chemistry today.

5 Interesting Facts about Otto Wallach

1. Otto Wallach was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1910 for his pioneering work on alicyclic compounds.

2. Wallach’s research provided significant insights into the structure and properties of essential oils.

3. He developed the Wallach rearrangement, a chemical reaction involving the transformation of certain organic compounds.

4. Wallach worked under notable chemists Friedrich Wöhler and Heinrich Limpricht during his education.

5. He spent a significant part of his career at the University of Göttingen, both as a student and later as a professor.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Otto Wallach

1. “Science, my lad, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.”

2. “The future of chemistry is to discover the connections between the molecules that make up the living cell.”

3. “To understand the molecular structure is to understand the core of chemistry.”

4. “Every discovery in chemistry opens the door to a thousand more.”

5. “The beauty of chemistry lies in the endless possibilities it offers for exploration and innovation.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Otto Wallach’s net worth is not well-documented, but as a Nobel laureate and prominent academic figure, he would have been comfortably positioned within the scientific community of his time.