Organic free radicals (Gomberg)
Radicales libres orgánicos (trifenilmetilo)
- Date
- 1900 · confidence high
- Place
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
- Credited to
- Moses Gomberg
- People
- 👤 Moses Gomberg1866–1947
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Gomberg obtains the triphenylmethyl radical, the first species with a stable trivalent carbon, demonstrating the existence of intermediates with unpaired electrons. The basis of radical polymerisation, combustion and atmospheric chemistry.
What it led to
- Radical polymerisation
- Chemistry of combustion and the atmosphere
- Biology of free radicals and antioxidants
Built on
- Tetravalence of carbon and carbon chains1858
- Ring structure of benzene1865
- structure of benzene
Made possible
- vinyl polymers (PVC, polystyrene, PMMA)