2007-9-19

Jacobus Henricus van't Hoff is a great name in the beautiful "European garden" of Holland.

Jacobus Henricus van't Hoff,the first Nobel Prize winner in chemistry,was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands,on August 30, 1852. Interested in chemical experiments when in secondary school,he always slipped into labs through windows of the basement after school or in vacations. One day,his little secrete was discovered by a teacher,and he was blamed for it and was taken to his father, a Doctor of Medicine. He felt embarrassed and angry for his deeds,but on the second thought,he believed that the boy should not be blamed for his interest and diligence. Therefore,he gave one of his nursing rooms to his son. Van't Hoff became more enthusiastic with his own lab.

Van't Hoff's father was keen on poetries of the great British poet Byron whose passionate poetries also greatly influenced the idea of young van't Hoff. Later,he became obsessed with Comte's positivism. All of these have taught him to view everything including mysteries of the nature from a philosophical perspective.

In 1873,he moved to work in Wurtz Lab in Paris with the recommendation of German chemist Kekule. Under the guidance of famous chemist Wurtz,he and his friend Le Bel received further education there. Later,both became the founders of new stereochemistry.

According to his researches,van't Hoff put forward a new concept of "asymmetrical carbon atom" in his publication of Chemistry in Space in 1875. His concept about the spatial structure of molecules was of an epoch-making meaning, leading to great responses in chemical community. However, many people were not aware of the exact meaning of his concept,or even fiercely opposed to his idea. A German professor Kerby sharply satirized in his article:a Professor van't Hoff from Utrecht veterinary college was not at all interested in precise chemical research;he claimed that it was the most convenient way to fly with his flying horse rented from the college; he found out how atoms formed with each other in space when he flew over the top of chemical Panacgas Mountain. Other scientists supposed that his concept was contradictory with physical rules. However, all these oppositions not only didn't destroy his theory,but also promoted and spread it since everyone who opposed to it would first get to know it and became interested in it. He thus became a famous person then in the scientific community for their criticism.

Later practice proved that his concept of "asymmetrical carbon atom" and tetrahedral structure of carbon became symbol of the establishment of stereochemistry.

After 1877,he began to focus on chemical dynamics and affinity. In 1884, he published a book named Research into Chemical Dynamics, in which he illustrated chemical dynamics problem like reactive speed and affinity theory based on chemical balance theory and free energy.

In the field of physical chemistry, van't Hoff paid major attention to osmotic pressure of dilute solution and its rules.

Starting from chemical dynamics,he continued with researches into thermodynamics,especially osmotic pressure of dilute solution. He combined chemical dynamics, thermodynamics with physical determination,laying a foundation for physical chemistry.

His pioneering contribution to chemistry is closely related to his interest in chemistry since childhood and extensive knowledge and insight of math and physics. Philosophical accomplishment and improving scientific methods enriched his creativity and enabled him to view problems from philosophical point of view.

Van't Hoff never forgot to contribute to his motherland. He went abroad many times to do researches when encountering problems. But the Dutchman was not attracted by high salary and comfortable life abroad. He always worked day and night. In 1910,van't Hoff got tuberculosis for hard work which was an incurable disease. But he still kept reading and writing diaries on bed every day,and asked the doctor to allow him to work when his sickness got a bit better.

On March 1,1911,van't Hoff passed away, less than 59 years old. The sad news shocked chemical community worldwide and also Dutchmen. His name has taken root in every heart of people in Holland,"European Garden". He would be considered as a rare flower in scientific community if it is a garden.