We learn about developments in 20th-century theoretical inorganic chemistry, starting with coordination complexes as explained by Christian Blomstrand, Sophus Jørgensen, and Alfred Werner. Theory from a quantum-chemical perspective began with Jean Becquerel and Hans Bethe and &quot;Crystal Field Theory.&quot; We then look at John Griffith and Leslie Orgel&apos;s &quot;Ligand Field Theory.&quot; From classical complexes and their multitude of shapes, we move to organometallic complexes and bioinorganic complexes. The last topic of the episode is the discovery of ferrocene in 1951, and the weird shape the molecule has.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofchemistry">Support the Show.</a><ul> <li>Support my podcast at <a href='https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofchemistry'>https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofchemistry</a> </li> <li>Tell me how your life relates to chemistry! E-mail me at steve@historyofchem.com</li> <li>Get my book, O Mg! How Chemistry Came to Be, from World Scientific Publishing, <a href='https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/12670#t=aboutBook'>https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/12670#t=aboutBook</a> </li> </ul>

52: Making It

Chemistry is everywhere, and involves everything. But how did chemistry get to be what it is? I'm Steve Cohen, a chemist and writer, bringing you The History of Chemistry. This podcast explores the development of chemistry from prehistoric times to the present, including the people and societies who made chemistry what it is today. The History of Chemistry is for you, whether you hated chemistry in high school, or got a PhD in inorganic chemistry. We'll explore how chemistry affected art, music, language, politics and vice-versa. Whether it's ancient Greek philosophers, medieval alchemists, or modern laboratory apparatus, it's all here. Don't forget to support my series at https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofchemistry !