Contents
Alfred Werner
Explaining the three-dimensional structure of coordination compounds.
Coordination theory · Nobel Prize
- Born
- 12 December 1866
- Birthplace
- Mulhouse
- Died
- 15 November 1919
More people
Alfred Werner
Swiss chemist whose models of metal complexes established coordination chemistry. Received the 1913 chemistry Nobel Prize.
Early life
Chemical education
Born in Mulhouse and studied at the Swiss Federal Institute in Zurich. Received his doctorate from the University of Zurich in 1890 and undertook further study in Paris.
Career
- 1892
Teaching
Returned to the Swiss Federal Institute.
- 1893
Zurich appointment
Joined the University of Zurich and proposed his coordination theory.
- 1895
Professorship
Became a professor at the university.
Contributions
Coordination theory
Explained how groups surrounding a central metal atom account for different compound structures.
Nobel Prize
Recognised for work on how atoms are linked in molecules.
Beyond work
Citizenship
Became a Swiss citizen in 1894 after moving from Alsace to pursue chemistry.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Additional biographical or achievement source ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: ETH Zürich. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.