Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of two USSR State Prizes, holder of several Orders of Lenin, honorary professor of a number of European universities, Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov - founder of the Kazan Scientific School of Organophosphorus Chemists.
Kazan was glorified by many names. Along with them is the name of Alexander Erminingeldovich Arbuzov.
Study time
The biography of the famous scientist began in 1877 in the village of Arbuzov-Baran. He was born into a teaching family on September 12. Both the mother and father of the future chemist enjoyed great respect in the district. The son received an excellent education at home. He himself learned to read, his mother taught him calligraphy, providing a beautiful legible and clear handwriting for the rest of his life. His father, who had an amazing mastery of oral calculations, was engaged in mathematics.
After seven years, the child was sent to a rural eight-year school. In 1886 the boy entered the preparatory class of the Kazan men's gymnasium. The training was completed in 1896. In the same year, in the fall, Alexander became a student at Kazan University. The future scientist entered the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics.
By the third year, Arbuzov decided on his future activities. He chose organic chemistry. In the laboratory of Professor Zaitsev, the novice experimenter performed the first work “From the chemical laboratory of Kazan University. About allylmethylphenylcarbinol by Alexander Arbuzov. Regardless of Grignard, a talented practical chemist carried out the reaction in his name by performing organomagnesium synthesis.
He was the first Russian scientist to use organomagnesium compounds in practical work. At the same time, the scientist complained about the imperfection of science. The work was carried out under normal pressure without taking into account the molecular weight of the substance obtained. Already at the turn of the century, Arbuzov tried to introduce work under reduced pressure to lower the boiling point. Such experiments were forbidden by Zaitsev, who feared explosions.
Working by vocation
During his studies, Alexander Erminingeldovich got acquainted with the glass-blowing business. The future scientist did not leave this occupation throughout his life. He proposed distillation under vacuum using an improved technology, modernized gas burners, and purchased equipment for reflux. Domestic chemists received an Arbuzov flask.
The craft of glassblowing, successfully mastered and repeatedly applied in practice by the researcher and scientist, is described in an accessible form in the “A Brief Guide to the Independent Study of Glassblowing Art”. Generations of experimental chemists have found this brochure to be a unique help. The work retains its value to this day.
In 1900, on May 30, Arbuzov was awarded the title of candidate of natural sciences, having presented a first degree diploma at a meeting of the society. Alexander Erminingeldovich went to Poland. He worked as an assistant at the Department of Organic Chemistry at the New Alexandria Agricultural Institute.
The young scientist introduced into practice the techniques that are currently being successfully used. In his few free hours, Arbuzov prepared for the master's examinations. The scientist went to pass them in 1902 to Kazan. After a successful trip to obtain a master's degree, only the defense of the dissertation remained. For research, Arbuzov chose a topic, a very complex and almost unexplored topic of organic phosphorus compounds. Due to the absence of a supervisor, the scientist conducted all the work independently.
Recognition and new achievements
In 1903, the poorly studied topic was supplemented by the work of the scientist "On the compounds of copper halide salts with phosphorous acid esters." All the foundations and results of experiments regarding the topic of the scientific dissertation are compiled in the chemist's monograph, published in 1905. A successful defense soon followed. Celebrity master brought his fundamental work "On the structure of phosphorous acid and its derivatives."
The Fischer-Arbuzov reaction was an important step. It is used for the synthesis of medicines. Since 1911, Alexander Erminingeldovich replaced his teacher Zaitsev as head of the department.
In 1914 the scientist brilliantly defended his doctoral dissertation “On the phenomena of catalysis in the field of transformations of certain phosphorus compounds. Experimental research”and after fulfilling all the conditions he was approved in office in 1915.
He made many changes in the laboratory's activities, including dishes made according to his own sketches.
Summarizing
In 1914, the academician summarized all the data on catalysis, laying the foundation for a new branch of his beloved science, the chemistry of organophosphorus compounds with the P - C bond.
In 1945, Academician Arbuzov became Chairman of the Presidium of the KFAN, the Kazan branch of the All-Union Academy of Sciences. Together with his son, the scientist developed a theory of a technique for collecting resin without losing volatile components.
In 1959, the academician, heading the Kazan Institute of Organic Chemistry of the ANSSSR, conducted research on the creation of new and more modern medicines. His works show the invaluable contribution to science of the famous scientists of the Kazan scientific school.
The myotic effect of pyrophos discovered by him is used in the treatment of glaucoma. Many vessels, indispensable in laboratory work, were made according to the sketches of the professor himself. The great scientist passed away on November 21, 1968. The chemist had three children. Boris, Irina and Yuri became famous chemists. In 1969, a street named after Arbuzov appeared in Kazan.
The bust of the professor was opened in front of the facade of the new building of the Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry. In 1971, a memorial apartment-museum of the academician was opened in Shkolny Lane. In 1997, the International Arbuz Prize was established. In 2002, a memorial plaque was opened in honor of the academician at the city's technological university.
