Louis Claude Cadet de Gassicourt
Encyclopedia
Louis Claude Cadet de Gassicourt (24 July 1731 – 17 October 1799) was a French chemist
who synthesised the first organometalic compound.
He obtained a red liquid by the reaction of potassium acetate
with arsenic trioxide
. This liquid is known as Cadet's fuming liquid
and contains the two compounds cacodyl
and cacodyl oxide
.
Cadet studied at the Collège des Quatre-Nations
and became a phamacist at the Hotel Royal des Invalides
in Paris.
Marie Thérèse Françoise Boisselet became his wife in 1771, at that time her son, fathered by Louis XV
, was two years old. The boy was adopted by Cadet as Charles-Louis Cadet.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
who synthesised the first organometalic compound.
He obtained a red liquid by the reaction of potassium acetate
Potassium acetate
Potassium acetate is the potassium salt of acetic acid.-Preparation:It can be prepared by reacting a potassium-containing base such as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate with acetic acid:...
with arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula As2O3. This commercially important oxide of arsenic is the main precursor to other arsenic compounds, including organoarsenic compounds. Approximately 50,000 tonnes are produced annually...
. This liquid is known as Cadet's fuming liquid
Cadet's fuming liquid
Cadet's fuming liquid was the first organometallic compound to be synthesized. In 1760, the French chemist Louis Claude Cadet de Gassicourt synthesized a red liquid by the reaction of potassium acetate with arsenic trioxide....
and contains the two compounds cacodyl
Cacodyl
Cacodyl, dicacodyl, tetramethyldiarsine, alkarsine or minor part of the "Cadet's fuming liquid" 2As—As2 is a poisonous oily liquid with a garlicky odor...
and cacodyl oxide
Cacodyl oxide
Cacodyl oxide is a chemical compound of the formula [2As]2O. This organoarsenic compound is primarily of historical significance as it is sometimes considered to be the first organometallic compound synthesized in relatively pure form....
.
Cadet studied at the Collège des Quatre-Nations
Collège des Quatre-Nations
The Collège des Quatre-Nations , also known as the Collège Mazarin after its founder, was one of the colleges of the historic University of Paris. It was founded through a bequest by the Cardinal Mazarin...
and became a phamacist at the Hotel Royal des Invalides
Les Invalides
Les Invalides , officially known as L'Hôtel national des Invalides , is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's...
in Paris.
Marie Thérèse Françoise Boisselet became his wife in 1771, at that time her son, fathered by Louis XV
Louis XV of France
Louis XV was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five, his first cousin Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, served as Regent of the kingdom until Louis's majority in 1723...
, was two years old. The boy was adopted by Cadet as Charles-Louis Cadet.