Michael Sandmeyer
- Born:
- October 9, 1860, Turgi, Switzerland
- Died:
- April 22, 1922, Basel, Switzerland
- Nationality:
- Swiss
- Profession(s):
- Chemist, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Studied chemistry at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich.
- Obtained his doctorate from the University of Basel.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a research chemist for Geigy (now Novartis) in Basel.
- Professor at the University of Basel.
- Most notably known for the discovery of the Sandmeyer reaction in 1884. This reaction, converting aryl diazonium salts to aryl halides using copper salts as catalysts, is a cornerstone of synthetic organic chemistry.
- His work revolutionized the production of dyes and pharmaceuticals.
Notable Works
- Published numerous papers on organic chemistry, particularly concerning diazonium salts and aromatic compounds.
- His description of the Sandmeyer reaction remains a fundamental contribution to chemical literature. The importance of this discovery is often detailed in discussions relating to the work of chemists like Traugott Sandmeyer. The traugott sandmeyer biography of michael often highlights the impact of this reaction.
Legacy and Impact
Michael Sandmeyer's legacy rests primarily on the Sandmeyer reaction, a crucial tool in organic synthesis that has had a lasting impact on the chemical industry and scientific research.