32 Chemists
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03

Benzene, August Kekulé, and the Dream Myth

Synopsis

The myth surrounding August Kekulé’s “dream” that led to his proposed structure for benzene is discussed.

This myth is the subject of much recent analysis, and I argue that it has been largely misinterpreted due to language translation confusion and judgment of the past through modern eyes. I conclude by recommending that chemists not overlook Kekulé’s last comment, which provides exceptional guidance to young scholars.

Structures in this episode

Benzene, Robinson circle representation
Benzene
Robinson representation.
Kekule resonance structures of benzene
Resonance structures
The Kekulé structures.
Monosubstituted benzene
Monosubstituted benzene
Disubstituted benzene isomers
Disubstituted benzene

Bibliography

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  3. 3Brush, S. G. "Dynamics of theory change in chemistry: Part 2. Benzene and molecular orbitals, 1945–1980," Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 1999, 30, 263-302. Source
  4. 4De Clercq, P. "We Need to Talk about Kekulé: The 150th Anniversary of the Benzene Structure," Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2022, 2022, e202200171. Source
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  8. 8Rocke, A. J. "It Began with a Daydream: The 150th Anniversary of the Kekulé Benzene Structure," Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 46-50. Source
  9. 9Roth, H. D. "150 years later: a look at Loschmidt's contributions to organic chemistry," J. Phys. Org. Chem. 2013, 26, 755-763. Source
  10. 10Roth, H. D. "150 Years After Their Emergence: A New Look at Loschmidt's Representations of Benzene," Bull. Hist. Chem. 2013, 38, 29-36. Source
  11. 11Rothenberg, A. Creative Homospatial and Janusian Processes in Kekulé's Discovery of the Structure of the Benzene Molecule. In The Kekule Riddle; Wotiz, J. H., Ed.; Cache River Press, 1993.
  12. 12Rudofsky, S. F.; Wotiz, J. H. "Psychologists and the Dream Accounts of August Kekulé," Ambix 1988, 35, 31-38. Source
  13. 13Wentrup, C. "Kekulé's Oscillating D3h Cyclohexatriene Structure of Benzene," Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2023, 26, e202201308. Source
  14. 14Wotiz, J. H.; Rudofsky, S. "Was there a conspiracy when Kekulé's first German benzene-structure paper was frequently listed as published in 1865?," J. Chem. Ed. 1982, 59, 23. Source
  15. 15Wotiz, J. H. The Kekule Riddle: A Challenge for Chemists and Psychologists; Cache River Press: Clearwater, FL, 1993.
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