Chemical synthesis - in the narrow sense, is the process of creating or building complex molecules from simpler ones. In a broad sense, the production of chemical compounds by chemical and physical methods. Depending on the nature of the product, the synthesis may be organic or inorganic. It should be noted that in organic synthesis, the product of a chemical reaction may be a simpler substance than one of the starting compounds . For the first time, the term “synthesis” in chemistry was used in about 121 CE. e. the famous Roman alchemist Galadien . The concept of synthesis in the modern sense of the word was introduced by the German chemist Hermann Kolbe .
For the first time, he synthesized and thereby proved the possibility of synthesizing organic substances outside a living organism (in laboratory conditions), a Russian organic chemist, a comprehensively developed person Zinin Nikolai Nikolaevich (1812-1880).
Synthetic and artificial
The terms “synthetic” and “artificial” should not be confused. Artificial material - obtained by physical modification of raw materials.
For example:
- Synthetic fibers - nylon , nylon . Artificial glass fiber, viscose fiber, asbestos .
- Synthetic skin is a laboratory way to grow a skin-like film. For skin transplantation. Artificial leather - giving raw materials (porous polymer) the appearance and properties of dressed animal skin. In this case, the polymer is synthesized, not the final product.
- Synthetic food - exists only in science fiction novels. Artificial food - semi-finished soy products containing additives that mimic the taste of famous and popular products.
See also
- Cryochemical synthesis