The Layers of Chemical Language, I: Constitution of Bodies v. Structure of Matter

Organic chemistry went through an explosive development in the 1830sdue to the refinement of analytic techniques in the earlier decades. A sharper stoichiometric resolution of chemical operations multiplied the number of organic species geometrically. I In this context, organic chemists sought to minimize random efforts by devising a system of classification which would organize their experience and guide the investigation in a predictive manner. The 'rational formulae' of chemical substances embodied these classificatory schemes by visually representing the sum of chemists' experience with the substances, that is, their properties and reactions.' Intense theoretical debates concerning the constitution oforganic bodies produced highly variable symbolic representations, or rational formulae. Liebig and Wohler captured a widespread sentiment of confusion in their science in the opening statement of their landmark paper on the benzoyl radical.

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