Wohler FRIEDRICH (1800-1882). Caricatura del químico alemán Friedrich Wohler. Wohler descubrió los cianatos y, en 1828, intentó una síntesis

Friedrich Wohler (1800-1882). Caricature of the German chemist Friedrich Wohler. Wohler discovered the cyanates and, in 1828, attempted to synthesis ammonium cyanate, but instead synthesised urea. This was the first time an organic substance was synthesised from inorganic compounds. As urea is a typical animal product, this reaction was interpreted by many chemists as one of the first disproofs of the concept of vitalism, that every organic substance could only be produced in living cells. Wohler collaborated with Liebig on an important study of benzaldehyde. He was co-discoverer of beryllium and silicon and was the first to isolate aluminium, yttrium and titanium.