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1997
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August
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Chemistry Everyday for Everyone
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On Chemical Modeling an Alchemical Process: The Use of Combined Chemical Methods in a Historical Study
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Mikhail Yu. Rodygin, Irene V. Rodygin
Institute of Physical , Orgnaic and Coal Chemistry, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, 70 Luxemburg St, Donetsk 340114, Ukraine
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August 1997
Vol. 74 No. 8
p. 949
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| Abstract |
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Laboratory work is an important component of a course in the History of Chemistry and Alchemy, though it can only be illustrative and not comprehensive. The course should exercise both the cognitive and research abilities of an university student. Therefore methods of modeling are of
prime importance at this stage of instruction. Modeling can be both a priori and experimental. The experiment can use the alchemist's materials, or it can reproduce the procedure with modern reagents. A good example for the use of this method is a recipe for the preparation of the Philosopher's Stone attributed to Lullius and cited by J. Ripley in Liber Duodecium Portarum. Thus, the Ripley's recipe is not only considered to be the first indication of the existence of acetone, but it may also indicate the formation of acetyl acetone and its derivatives. Thus, as far as the history of alchemy is concerned, the use of an experimental model not only allows us to solve a number of specific problems such as recipe interpretation and product identification, but it allows also to probe the essence of alchemical work. The combination of empirical and speculative modelings leads to the interaction of the exact methods of chemistry with the broad historico-chemical generalizations, thus introducing some additional dimensions to the definition of historico-chemical practice.
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| More Information |
 Citation |
Rodygin, Mikhail Yu.; Rodygin, Irene V. J. Chem. Educ. 1997 74 949.
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Keywords |
History/Philosophy, Organic Chemistry, Graduate Education/Research, Organometallics, (Lead)
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
July 28, 1999
June 23, 2005
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
1997
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August
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949
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