Thiophene
Tiofeno
- Date
- 1882 · confidence high
- Place
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Credited to
- Viktor Meyer
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Meyer discovered thiophene while investigating why impure benzene produced a blue stain (the indophenin reaction) with isatin and sulfuric acid, an effect wrongly attributed to benzene itself. He identified a previously unknown sulphur compound, now key to drug chemistry and conducting polymers.
What it led to
- Sulphur heterocyclic chemistry
- Thiophene-ring drugs (e.g. clopidogrel)
Built on
- Kekulé's benzene chemistry