Chemist and Nobel laureate Fritz Lipmann is shown in this black-and-white portrait, wearing glasses, a suit, and a patterned tie with a calm expression. Lipmann is best known for his discovery of coenzyme A, a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism, which significantly advanced our understanding of biochemical energy transfer.
Chemist and Nobel laureate Fritz Lipmann is shown in this black-and-white portrait, wearing glasses, a suit, and a patterned tie with a calm expression. Lipmann is best known for his discovery of coenzyme A, a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism, which significantly advanced our understanding of biochemical energy transfer.

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff

Historical

Historical

Feb 11, 1894

-

Mar 4, 1993

Chemist and Nobel laureate Fritz Lipmann is shown in this black-and-white portrait, wearing glasses, a suit, and a patterned tie with a calm expression. Lipmann is best known for his discovery of coenzyme A, a crucial molecule in cellular metabolism, which significantly advanced our understanding of biochemical energy transfer.

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff

Historical

Historical

Feb 11, 1894

-

Mar 4, 1993

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff, known as the "father of modern analytical chemistry," transformed the field from a set of empirical procedures into a well-defined scientific discipline. Kolthoff was born in Almelo, Netherlands, in 1894, and from his childhood, he had a keen interest in chemistry. To follow his passion, he joined the University of Utrecht. At first, Kolthoff enrolled in pharmacy to escape the classical language requirement of chemistry, but once he was there, he found himself quite passionate about scientific research. He had published many papers before he got his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1918; most were on pH measurement, which was still a new concept.

Kolthoff's academic career started at the University of Utrecht, where he researched electrochemistry and acid-base titration and became well-known worldwide. In 1927, Kolthoff moved to the University of Minnesota, where he worked for the next 35 years, enhancing the standing of the University's chemistry department. Kolthoff served as a president of the society and played a crucial role in the development of analytical chemistry by integrating the theoretical part with the practical one, thus making it one of the most essential branches of chemistry. His work spanned many disciplines, including clinical medicine, environmental science, forensic chemistry, and food analysis.

In the Second World War, Kolthoff was involved in the synthetic rubber program of the U.S. government, where he contributed to developing a method of synthesizing rubber when the natural source was unavailable. Apart from his scientific achievements, Kolthoff engaged himself in social causes such as assisting European scientists who were victims of the Nazis' persecution and promoting peace and cooperation among nations. He continued to work as a researcher even after his retirement in 1962 and published papers until his death at 99 in 1993.

Quotes

"Analytical chemistry will remain a scientific discipline as long as industry continues to make new products."

"Theory guides, experiment decides."

"A good understanding of physical, chemical, and physico-chemical fundamentals is necessary to improve existing methods."

"My purpose is to provide scientific interpretations to increase the prestige of analytical chemistry."

"There are always unsolved problems in chemistry, and solving them requires both theory and experiment."

"Fundamental understanding leads to new methods and better error calculations."

"Every chemical method, every chemical determination, is a story in itself."

"The basis of good chemistry lies in good science and sound theoretical knowledge."

"Precision in chemical measurements is key to advancing industrial progress."

"Chemistry is not just about reactions but about understanding the principles behind them."

"Advances in chemistry depend on solving its biggest mysteries."

"The role of a chemist is not only to solve problems but to predict new possibilities."

"One should never underestimate the value of collaborative research."

"Our role as chemists is to continually push the boundaries of what is known."

"Research should never stop, for there are always more questions to be answered."

FAQ

What is the reason that Izaak Kolthoff is known as the father of modern analytical chemistry?

Kolthoff is often referred to as the father of modern analytical chemistry because of his contribution to the field's shift from a more or less qualitative to a quantitative approach.

What did Kolthoff do during the Second World War?

Kolthoff was involved in the U.S. synthetic rubber program, where he created a "cold process" to synthesize rubber, which was important during the war.

What was Kolthoff's position at the University of Minnesota?

At the University of Minnesota, Kolthoff developed one of the major analytical chemistry sections in the United States and played a significant role in transforming the discipline.

What is Kolthoff's contribution to the field of electrochemistry?

Kolthoff's contribution to the development of pH measurement and electrochemical analysis provided the basis for current electrochemistry and enhanced knowledge in acid-base chemistry.

How many scientific papers did Kolthoff publish?

Kolthoff authored about 1000 scientific articles during his career, which can be divided into several fields of analytical chemistry.

What awards did Kolthoff get in the course of his lifetime?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What was the relationship between Kolthoff and international scientists?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What did Kolthoff think about the scientific experiments?

Kolthoff stated that "theory guides, experiment decides," which stresses the role of theory and practice in knowledge generation.

What was Kolthoff's contribution to the academic literature?

Kolthoff co-authored the well-known Treatise on Analytical Chemistry, considered one of the field's significant works.

What did Kolthoff do for science after retirement?

Kolthoff retired from active service in 1962 but remained active and productive, publishing another 136 papers after his retirement.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff, known as the "father of modern analytical chemistry," transformed the field from a set of empirical procedures into a well-defined scientific discipline. Kolthoff was born in Almelo, Netherlands, in 1894, and from his childhood, he had a keen interest in chemistry. To follow his passion, he joined the University of Utrecht. At first, Kolthoff enrolled in pharmacy to escape the classical language requirement of chemistry, but once he was there, he found himself quite passionate about scientific research. He had published many papers before he got his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1918; most were on pH measurement, which was still a new concept.

Kolthoff's academic career started at the University of Utrecht, where he researched electrochemistry and acid-base titration and became well-known worldwide. In 1927, Kolthoff moved to the University of Minnesota, where he worked for the next 35 years, enhancing the standing of the University's chemistry department. Kolthoff served as a president of the society and played a crucial role in the development of analytical chemistry by integrating the theoretical part with the practical one, thus making it one of the most essential branches of chemistry. His work spanned many disciplines, including clinical medicine, environmental science, forensic chemistry, and food analysis.

In the Second World War, Kolthoff was involved in the synthetic rubber program of the U.S. government, where he contributed to developing a method of synthesizing rubber when the natural source was unavailable. Apart from his scientific achievements, Kolthoff engaged himself in social causes such as assisting European scientists who were victims of the Nazis' persecution and promoting peace and cooperation among nations. He continued to work as a researcher even after his retirement in 1962 and published papers until his death at 99 in 1993.

Quotes

"Analytical chemistry will remain a scientific discipline as long as industry continues to make new products."

"Theory guides, experiment decides."

"A good understanding of physical, chemical, and physico-chemical fundamentals is necessary to improve existing methods."

"My purpose is to provide scientific interpretations to increase the prestige of analytical chemistry."

"There are always unsolved problems in chemistry, and solving them requires both theory and experiment."

"Fundamental understanding leads to new methods and better error calculations."

"Every chemical method, every chemical determination, is a story in itself."

"The basis of good chemistry lies in good science and sound theoretical knowledge."

"Precision in chemical measurements is key to advancing industrial progress."

"Chemistry is not just about reactions but about understanding the principles behind them."

"Advances in chemistry depend on solving its biggest mysteries."

"The role of a chemist is not only to solve problems but to predict new possibilities."

"One should never underestimate the value of collaborative research."

"Our role as chemists is to continually push the boundaries of what is known."

"Research should never stop, for there are always more questions to be answered."

FAQ

What is the reason that Izaak Kolthoff is known as the father of modern analytical chemistry?

Kolthoff is often referred to as the father of modern analytical chemistry because of his contribution to the field's shift from a more or less qualitative to a quantitative approach.

What did Kolthoff do during the Second World War?

Kolthoff was involved in the U.S. synthetic rubber program, where he created a "cold process" to synthesize rubber, which was important during the war.

What was Kolthoff's position at the University of Minnesota?

At the University of Minnesota, Kolthoff developed one of the major analytical chemistry sections in the United States and played a significant role in transforming the discipline.

What is Kolthoff's contribution to the field of electrochemistry?

Kolthoff's contribution to the development of pH measurement and electrochemical analysis provided the basis for current electrochemistry and enhanced knowledge in acid-base chemistry.

How many scientific papers did Kolthoff publish?

Kolthoff authored about 1000 scientific articles during his career, which can be divided into several fields of analytical chemistry.

What awards did Kolthoff get in the course of his lifetime?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What was the relationship between Kolthoff and international scientists?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What did Kolthoff think about the scientific experiments?

Kolthoff stated that "theory guides, experiment decides," which stresses the role of theory and practice in knowledge generation.

What was Kolthoff's contribution to the academic literature?

Kolthoff co-authored the well-known Treatise on Analytical Chemistry, considered one of the field's significant works.

What did Kolthoff do for science after retirement?

Kolthoff retired from active service in 1962 but remained active and productive, publishing another 136 papers after his retirement.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff, known as the "father of modern analytical chemistry," transformed the field from a set of empirical procedures into a well-defined scientific discipline. Kolthoff was born in Almelo, Netherlands, in 1894, and from his childhood, he had a keen interest in chemistry. To follow his passion, he joined the University of Utrecht. At first, Kolthoff enrolled in pharmacy to escape the classical language requirement of chemistry, but once he was there, he found himself quite passionate about scientific research. He had published many papers before he got his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1918; most were on pH measurement, which was still a new concept.

Kolthoff's academic career started at the University of Utrecht, where he researched electrochemistry and acid-base titration and became well-known worldwide. In 1927, Kolthoff moved to the University of Minnesota, where he worked for the next 35 years, enhancing the standing of the University's chemistry department. Kolthoff served as a president of the society and played a crucial role in the development of analytical chemistry by integrating the theoretical part with the practical one, thus making it one of the most essential branches of chemistry. His work spanned many disciplines, including clinical medicine, environmental science, forensic chemistry, and food analysis.

In the Second World War, Kolthoff was involved in the synthetic rubber program of the U.S. government, where he contributed to developing a method of synthesizing rubber when the natural source was unavailable. Apart from his scientific achievements, Kolthoff engaged himself in social causes such as assisting European scientists who were victims of the Nazis' persecution and promoting peace and cooperation among nations. He continued to work as a researcher even after his retirement in 1962 and published papers until his death at 99 in 1993.

Quotes

"Analytical chemistry will remain a scientific discipline as long as industry continues to make new products."

"Theory guides, experiment decides."

"A good understanding of physical, chemical, and physico-chemical fundamentals is necessary to improve existing methods."

"My purpose is to provide scientific interpretations to increase the prestige of analytical chemistry."

"There are always unsolved problems in chemistry, and solving them requires both theory and experiment."

"Fundamental understanding leads to new methods and better error calculations."

"Every chemical method, every chemical determination, is a story in itself."

"The basis of good chemistry lies in good science and sound theoretical knowledge."

"Precision in chemical measurements is key to advancing industrial progress."

"Chemistry is not just about reactions but about understanding the principles behind them."

"Advances in chemistry depend on solving its biggest mysteries."

"The role of a chemist is not only to solve problems but to predict new possibilities."

"One should never underestimate the value of collaborative research."

"Our role as chemists is to continually push the boundaries of what is known."

"Research should never stop, for there are always more questions to be answered."

FAQ

What is the reason that Izaak Kolthoff is known as the father of modern analytical chemistry?

Kolthoff is often referred to as the father of modern analytical chemistry because of his contribution to the field's shift from a more or less qualitative to a quantitative approach.

What did Kolthoff do during the Second World War?

Kolthoff was involved in the U.S. synthetic rubber program, where he created a "cold process" to synthesize rubber, which was important during the war.

What was Kolthoff's position at the University of Minnesota?

At the University of Minnesota, Kolthoff developed one of the major analytical chemistry sections in the United States and played a significant role in transforming the discipline.

What is Kolthoff's contribution to the field of electrochemistry?

Kolthoff's contribution to the development of pH measurement and electrochemical analysis provided the basis for current electrochemistry and enhanced knowledge in acid-base chemistry.

How many scientific papers did Kolthoff publish?

Kolthoff authored about 1000 scientific articles during his career, which can be divided into several fields of analytical chemistry.

What awards did Kolthoff get in the course of his lifetime?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What was the relationship between Kolthoff and international scientists?

Kolthoff was in contact with many scientists around the world and advocated peace and cooperation between nations, especially during and after the Second World War.

What did Kolthoff think about the scientific experiments?

Kolthoff stated that "theory guides, experiment decides," which stresses the role of theory and practice in knowledge generation.

What was Kolthoff's contribution to the academic literature?

Kolthoff co-authored the well-known Treatise on Analytical Chemistry, considered one of the field's significant works.

What did Kolthoff do for science after retirement?

Kolthoff retired from active service in 1962 but remained active and productive, publishing another 136 papers after his retirement.

Life and achievements

Early life

Izaak Maurits Kolthoff was born to a Jewish family on February 11, 1894, in Almelo, a city in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Kolthoff had a great passion for chemistry since childhood, and this was due to the encouragement of his teachers at school. He entered the University of Utrecht in 1911 to study pharmacy because the chemistry course had language demands, but he was very successful. In Utrecht, he attended the lectures of Nicholas Schoorl, who insisted on the theoretical approach to chemistry. Schoorl influenced Kolthoff's philosophy of science, and the latter's adage, "Theory guides, experiment decides," formed the basis of Kolthoff's research.

Kolthoff received his Ph.D. in 1918, and by this time, he had published several papers, most of which were in the recently discovered area of pH. His early work showed how he could relate theoretical concepts to real-life situations, a feature that would characterize his future career. Upon graduation, Kolthoff remained at Utrecht as a researcher and became a world expert in electrochemistry and analytical methods.

Legacy

Kolthoff's contribution can be the development of analytical chemistry from a more empirical science to a more scientific one. His contributions were not only in the academic field; he also contributed immensely in the practical world, especially during the Second World War, when he helped in the production of synthetic rubber for the U.S. government. His "cold process" for rubber synthesis was a breakthrough in rubber production and ensured that the U.S. was well-stocked during the war.

At the University of Minnesota, Kolthoff advised more than 50 doctoral students, most of whom became prominent chemists. His monumental Treatise on Analytical Chemistry is considered one of the most essential works in developing the field. Kolthoff continued to work as a researcher even after his retirement in 1962 and published papers until the last years of his life. His contribution to analytical chemistry is still felt today, and many current methods and techniques have their roots in his work.

Kolthoff's contribution is not limited to the field of chemistry only. He was very passionate about international collaboration in science and peace-making processes. He helped the scientists who were escaping from Nazi persecution during the Second World War and also spoke against nuclear bomb testing. His efforts towards promoting peace and academic freedom made him gain recognition from people beyond the scientific world. Still, at the same time, he became a subject of political investigations during the McCarthy period. However, the stature of Kolthoff as a scientist was not to be dented in any way.

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Milestone moments

Jul 8, 1918

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Utrecht University
Izaak Kolthoff was born in 1918 and received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Utrecht, which laid a solid foundation for his education.

His dissertation was on electrochemistry, specifically the theory of acid-base titrations, which formed the basis of his later work in analytical chemistry.

While at the University, Nicholas Schoorl tutored Kolthoff, who helped him understand the need to balance theory and practical application.

Kolthoff's early work on pH and titration made him well-known internationally before he left the Netherlands.

This academic achievement was the starting point of a highly successful career that would revolutionize analytical chemistry.

Jul 12, 1927

An Interview at the University of Minnesota
Kolthoff joined the University of Minnesota in 1927 as a one-year visitor and was responsible for building the University's analytical chemistry division.

Kolthoff first joined the University as a temporary faculty member. Still, he spent the rest of his career there. During his time at the University, he built the chemistry program to become one of the best in the country.

At Minnesota, Kolthoff continued translating and expanding his earlier works, making them available to an English-speaking audience.

He spent more than three and a half decades in Minnesota, and his contribution to the University's field of chemistry was one of the greatest.

Thus, Kolthoff contributed to forming a new generation of scientists and recognizing analytical chemistry as one of the major branches of science.

Feb 20, 1942

The Second World War Synthetic Rubber Production
During the Second World War, Kolthoff contributed to the U.S. synthetic rubber program and worked on the so-called "cold process" for rubber synthesis.

This was especially important during the Second World War when natural rubber was scarce and synthetic rubber was needed; Kolthoff's work was vital.

His research was mainly in emulsion polymerization, and he developed a more effective and energy-consuming method than conventional techniques.

Kolthoff's work was considered to be one of the greatest breakthroughs in rubber production, enabling the U.S. to produce enough rubber for wartime needs.

This project proved that Kolthoff could use theories to solve real-life problems, solidifying his place in science and business.

Apr 14, 1962

Conclusion of the author's career at the University of Minnesota
Kolthoff retired from the University of Minnesota in 1962 after 35 years of teaching and research but did not stop working.

By the time he retired, he had published more than 800 research papers, making him among his generation's most productive chemists.

In his post-retirement years, Kolthoff continued to work in the laboratory and authored 136 more papers, bringing his total output to almost 1000 papers.

His retirement signaled the end of an era at the University of Minnesota, but his legacy lived on through his research and his students.

This shows that even after retiring, Kolthoff remained active in science and contributed greatly to the development of chemistry.

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