Question

Why did scientists originally think that man could not synthesize organic compounds?

A) Lack of suitable equipment
B) Lack of understanding of chemical reactions
C) Vitalism theory positing a special "life force"
D) Lack of funding for research

Answer 1

Scientists initially thought organic compounds couldn't be synthesized due to the vitalism theory, which was disproven by Friedrich Wöhler's synthesis of urea from inorganic materials in 1828, marking a turning point in organic chemistry.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists originally believed that man could not synthesize organic compounds because of a theory known as vitalism, which posited that organic compounds were formed by a special "life force" that was only found within living organisms. This belief was prevalent among chemists until the 19th century when breakthrough experiments by chemists like Friedrich Wöhler began to challenge this notion. In 1828, Wöhler synthesized urea, which is an organic compound, from inorganic materials, disproving the vitalism theory and demonstrating that organic compounds could indeed be synthesized artificially.

This historic incident highlights the progression of our understanding in organic chemistry and serves as a crucial turning point that ultimately led to the recognition that organic molecules obey the same natural laws as inorganic substances. By creating urea from silver cyanate (AgOCN) and ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), Wöhler paved the way for the development of organic chemistry as we know it today.