Carl Schotten
Encyclopedia
Carl Schotten was a German chemist who, together with Eugen Baumann
, discovered the Schotten-Baumann reaction
. The Schotten-Baumann reaction is a method to synthesize amide
s from amine
s and acid chlorides. Examples of this reaction include the synthesis of N-vanillyl nonanamide
, also known as synthetic capsaicin
.
at the University of Marburg, his mother was a daughter of a law professor. Although he lost his father at the age of two, his intellectual family background allowed him to receive a good education. After attending the gymnasium in Marburg
and Schulpforta, he studied medicine at the University of Zurich
. He later moved to the University of Leipzig
and changed his subject to chemistry.
Schotten joined the group of August Wilhelm von Hofmann
at the University of Berlin in 1875. There, he received his Ph.D. in 1878 under the supervision of Ferdinand Tiemann
. Schotten stayed three years in the private laboratory of von Hofmann. In 1881, he was invited by Emil du Bois-Reymond
to become lecturer at the physiological
institute at the University of Berlin. His analysis of pyridine
, piperidine
and coniine
paved the way for the determination of the structural relations within these three compounds.
During his work at the physiological institute, Schotten, together with Eugen Baumann
, discovered a method to synthesize amide
s from amine
s and acid chlorides; this method is still known as the Schotten-Baumann reaction
.
Eugen Baumann
Eugen Baumann was a German chemist. He was one of the first people to create polyvinyl chloride , and, together with Carl Schotten, he discovered the Schotten-Baumann reaction.-Life:...
, discovered the Schotten-Baumann reaction
Schotten-Baumann reaction
The Schotten-Baumann reaction is a method to synthesise amides from amines and acid chlorides:Sometimes the name for this reaction is also used to indicate the reaction between an acid chloride and a alcohol to form an ester...
. The Schotten-Baumann reaction is a method to synthesize amide
Amide
In chemistry, an amide is an organic compound that contains the functional group consisting of a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom . The term refers both to a class of compounds and a functional group within those compounds. The term amide also refers to deprotonated form of ammonia or an...
s from amine
Amine
Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines,...
s and acid chlorides. Examples of this reaction include the synthesis of N-vanillyl nonanamide
Nonivamide
Nonivamide, also called pelargonic acid vanillylamide or PAVA, is an organic compound and a capsaicinoid. It is an amide of pelargonic acid and vanillyl amine. It is present in chili peppers, but is commonly manufactured synthetically...
, also known as synthetic capsaicin
Capsaicin
Capsaicin 2CHCH=CH4CONHCH2C6H3-4--3- ) is the active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum. It is an irritant for mammals, including humans, and produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact...
.
Life and work
Schotten was born as the third child of a syndicSyndic
Syndic , a term applied in certain countries to an officer of government with varying powers, and secondly to a representative or delegate of a university, institution or other corporation, entrusted with special functions or powers.The meaning which underlies both applications is that of...
at the University of Marburg, his mother was a daughter of a law professor. Although he lost his father at the age of two, his intellectual family background allowed him to receive a good education. After attending the gymnasium in Marburg
Marburg
Marburg is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany, on the River Lahn. It is the main town of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district and its population, as of March 2010, was 79,911.- Founding and early history :...
and Schulpforta, he studied medicine at the University of Zurich
University of Zurich
The University of Zurich , located in the city of Zurich, is the largest university in Switzerland, with over 25,000 students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of theology, law, medicine and a new faculty of philosophy....
. He later moved to the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and changed his subject to chemistry.
Schotten joined the group of August Wilhelm von Hofmann
August Wilhelm von Hofmann
August Wilhelm von Hofmann was a German chemist.-Biography:Hofmann was born at Gießen, Grand Duchy of Hesse. Not intending originally to devote himself to physical science, he first took up the study of law and philology at Göttingen. But he then turned to chemistry, and studied under Justus von...
at the University of Berlin in 1875. There, he received his Ph.D. in 1878 under the supervision of Ferdinand Tiemann
Ferdinand Tiemann
Johann Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand Tiemann was a German chemist and together with Reimer discoverer of the Reimer-Tiemann reaction.Beginning in 1866, Tiemann studied pharmacy at the TU Braunschweig where he graduated in 1869...
. Schotten stayed three years in the private laboratory of von Hofmann. In 1881, he was invited by Emil du Bois-Reymond
Emil du Bois-Reymond
Emil du Bois-Reymond was a German physician and physiologist, the discoverer of nerve action potential, and the father of experimental electrophysiology.-Life:...
to become lecturer at the physiological
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
institute at the University of Berlin. His analysis of pyridine
Pyridine
Pyridine is a basic heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical formula C5H5N. It is structurally related to benzene, with one C-H group replaced by a nitrogen atom...
, piperidine
Piperidine
Piperidine is an organic compound with the molecular formula 5NH. This heterocyclic amine consists of a six-membered ring containing five methylene units and one nitrogen atom...
and coniine
Coniine
Coniine is a poisonous alkaloid found in poison hemlock and the yellow pitcher plant, and contributes to hemlock's fetid smell. It is a neurotoxin which disrupts the peripheral nervous system. It is toxic to humans and all classes of livestock; less than 0.2g is fatal to humans, with death caused...
paved the way for the determination of the structural relations within these three compounds.
Schotten-Baumann reaction
During his work at the physiological institute, Schotten, together with Eugen Baumann
Eugen Baumann
Eugen Baumann was a German chemist. He was one of the first people to create polyvinyl chloride , and, together with Carl Schotten, he discovered the Schotten-Baumann reaction.-Life:...
, discovered a method to synthesize amide
Amide
In chemistry, an amide is an organic compound that contains the functional group consisting of a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom . The term refers both to a class of compounds and a functional group within those compounds. The term amide also refers to deprotonated form of ammonia or an...
s from amine
Amine
Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines,...
s and acid chlorides; this method is still known as the Schotten-Baumann reaction
Schotten-Baumann reaction
The Schotten-Baumann reaction is a method to synthesise amides from amines and acid chlorides:Sometimes the name for this reaction is also used to indicate the reaction between an acid chloride and a alcohol to form an ester...
.