N. S. Kurnakov’s contribution to coordination chemistry

N.S. Kurnakov’s most important works in coordination chemistry are overviewed. Special attention is given to Kurnakov’s dissertation “On Complex Metal Bases,” to his understanding of the structure of coordination compounds, to the mutual effects of ligands, and to the key ideas in coordination chemistry developed by Chugaev and Chernyaev’s school. Kurnakov’s role in the foundation of the Soviet platinum industry is pointed out.     

On Ya.O. Shablovskii’s publications in the Russian Journal of physical chemistry

The results recently obtained by Ya.O. Shablovskii were analyzed. Some of them were shown to contradict both the experiment and the conventional laws of thermodynamics. The equations obtained for extrema on the line of the first order transition had been derived in our works.     

Ten years since Robert C. Mackenzie’s death. A tribute to the ICTA founder

Dr. Robert Cameron Mackenzie was an eminent scientist who gave a major contribution to the progress of science in the fields of thermal analysis and clay minerals. He was a leading figure in the East–West cooperation at times when these relations were politically very difficult. The authors give an outline of his achievements and some personal recollections of his activity.     

Current trends in the development of A. M. Butlerov’s theory of chemical structure

The chemical structure concept developed by A. M. Butlerov supplemented by the views on spatial (J. H. van’t-Hoff and J. A. Le Bel) and electronic (G. Lewis) configurations of molecules constitute the basis of the classical theory of chemical structure. The advent of quantum mechanics and development of the computer chemistry extended and enhanced the conceptual basis of theoretical chemistry, which nevertheless retains its independent value and cannot be reduced to direct physical definitions. The review deals with the evolution of the key concepts of the classical theory of chemical structure and introduction of new notions and approaches to analysis of the structure and reactivity problems, which is associated with the advent of the quantum mechanics and quantum chemistry views and methods.     

Conference Cluster 2021 (to the 90th anniversary of G. A. Krestov’s birth)

Russian Chemical Bulletin -     

Revisiting Isaac Newton’s Index Chemicus: A Response to Richard S. Westfall

Previous attempts to date the five editions of Isaac Newton’s Index Chemicus found in Keynes MS 30 (King’s College Library, Cambridge University) have relied on an incomplete examination of the citations Newton provides for his references. This study shows that a full examination of all Newton’s citations provides a more accurate method of dating, and thus pushes the timeline of production for all versions forward several years from the early 1680s to the early 1690s. It also proves that authors previously thought to be unimportant to Newton’s late alchemical writings, such as Robert Boyle, played a larger role than once recognised. Finally, Newton’s use of a text received from Fatio de Duillier for the later versions of the Index Chemicus suggests that the final versions may have been the product of a collaboration between the two.     

Alexander G. Ogston’s Centennial: Researcher of hyaluronic acid and other biopolymers

Alexander G. Ogston (1911–1996) investigated hyaluronic acid and other biopolymers with physico-chemical techniques. He investigated the behavior of macromolecules in solution in the presence of other macromolecules and described the exclusion effect, known also as molecular crowding. He determined that the molecular weight and many physico-chemical properties of biopolymers depend on their origins and the conditions of their preparation.