Erich Hückel (1896-1980) (eBook)

From Physics to Quantum Chemistry

Andreas Karachalios (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2009 | 2010
XVII, 200 Seiten
Springer Netherland (Verlag)
978-90-481-3560-8 (ISBN)

Infos

This comprehensive account of Huckel's career examines his scientific work and his key role in the emergence of quantum chemistry as an independent discipline. It also covers his clash with Linus Pauling over the properties of the benzene molecule.

Inhalt

Acknowledgments 6
Contents 7
Introduction 9
1 Erich Hckels Education and Scientific Awakening: The Path to Quantum Chemistry 16
1.1 The Hckel Family 16
1.2 The First Years in Gttingen: Childhood, Elementary and Preparatory Schooling 19
1.3 Beginnings at the University of Gttingen and the War Years 21
1.4 Continued Studies at Gttingen 23
1.5 Hckels Doctorate in Experimental Physics 24
1.6 Excursion: First Collaboration with His Brother Walter 29
1.7 Intermediate Stops 30
1.7.1 David Hilbert's Auxiliary Assistant 30
1.7.2 Assistant to Max Born 33
1.8 Assistantship Under Peter Debye in Zurich and Habilitation Thesis on the Theory of Strong Electrolytes 38
1.9 From the Theory of Strong Electrolytes to the Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 44
1.9.1 New Ambitions and Separation from Peter Debye 44
1.9.2 Fellowship from the International Education Board in London with Frederick Donnan: New Research Orientation 48
1.9.3 Visit at Niels Bohr's Institute in Copenhagen: The Beginnings of the Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 55
1.9.4 Fellowship from the Notgemeinschaft at the Leipzig Institute of Theoretical Physics 60
2 Erich Hckels Research Agenda During the 1930s: Underpinning Organic Chemistry with Quantum Theory 64
2.1 The Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 64
2.1.1 Prehistory 64
2.1.2 The Beginnings of H'ckel's Quantum-Theoretical Interpretation of Double Bonding 69
2.1.3 Excursion: H'ckel's Physicochemical Experiments on the Stability of Cis and Trans Isomers 72
2.1.4 The Quantum-Mechanical Interpretation of Double Bonding 76
2.1.5 The Response to H'ckel's Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 84
2.1.5.1 Hermann Mark's Interest in H'ckel's Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 85
2.1.5.2 Friedrich Ebel's Dissemination of H'ckel's Quantum Theory of Double Bonding 87
2.1.6 Lecturer of --Chemical Physics-- in Stuttgart: 1930--1937 89
2.2 Quantum Theory of Aromaticity: Symmetry and Electronic Shell Completion 92
2.2.1 Prehistory and H'ckel's Point of Departure 93
2.2.2 Quantum-Mechanical Interpretation of the Electronic Configuration of Benzene and Related Aromatic Compounds 96
2.2.2.1 H'ckel's Two Approximative Statements 96
2.2.2.2 Conclusions 103
2.2.3 H'ckel's Model of Benzene and Friedrich Hund's Localization Conditions 109
2.2.4 The Quantum-Theoretical Basis of the Chemical Behavior of Substituted Benzene Derivatives 113
2.2.5 First Reactions to H'ckel's Papers on Aromatic Compounds 119
3 The Controversy Between Erich Hckel and Linus Pauling over the Benzene Problem 129
3.1 Introduction: Calculating Perturbations with Spin Invariants and the Valence-Line Diagram in Chemistry 130
3.2 The First Critical Exchanges 141
3.3 Special Portion of Energy Versus Resonance Energy 146
4 Linus Paulings Breakthrough to the Theory of Aromatic Compounds and Hckels Reaction 154
4.1 Introduction 154
4.2 Avowal of the Molecular Orbital Method 155
4.3 A New Concept for Describing Aromaticity 158
5 Hckels Efforts to Disseminate His Theory and Its Reception 163
6 Hckels Professional Career in National Socialist Germany 172
6.1 Membership in the National Socialist Welfare and German Workers Party 173
6.2 Extraordinary Professorship in Theoretical Physics at Marburg 174
7 The Postwar Years 181
8 Summary and Concluding Remarks 184
Appendix 187
Abbreviations Used for Frequently Cited Journals 187
Archives 187
Bibliography 189
Index 203

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 8.12.2009
• Reihe/Serie: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
• Reihe/Serie: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
• Zusatzinfo: XVII, 200 p.
• Verlagsort: Dordrecht
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Erkenntnistheorie / Wissenschaftstheorie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Chemie ► Physikalische Chemie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Quantenphysik
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: 4n+2 rule • aromaticity • Chemical Bond • Debye-Hückel theory • Erich Hückel • HMO theory • Organic Chemistry • Physical Chemistry • Quantum Chemistry • Spin
• ISBN-10: 90-481-3560-5 / 9048135605
• ISBN-13: 978-90-481-3560-8 / 9789048135608