Discovery of benzene ring structure
Scientific discovery is not only the process of experimental observation and logical reasoning, but also the process of scientists' thinking creation, which is influenced by human irrational factors. Chemist Kekule found that the cyclic structure of benzene molecule is a typical example.
1In the winter of 864, Kekule taught at Ghent University. At this time, he is studying the structure of benzene molecules, but the progress is slow, and several molecules are in trouble. One night, he dozed off in his study and saw spinning carbon atoms in front of him. In my dream, the long chain of carbon atoms coiled and curled like a snake, and suddenly I saw a snake holding its tail and spinning. Kekule suddenly woke up like an electric shock, and thus associated with the structure of benzene molecules, put forward the benzene ring structure hypothesis. Later, Kekule described in his 1890 speech: "I sat down to write my textbook, but my work didn't progress and my thoughts were scattered. I turned my chair to the fire and dozed off. Atoms jumped up before my eyes again, and smaller groups humbly retreated behind. Because of the constant appearance of this illusion, my thinking has become more acute. Now I can distinguish between large structures of various shapes, and I can also distinguish between long-line molecules that are sometimes close together. They coil, rotate and move like snakes. Look, there is a snake biting its tail, and this shape is spinning in front of my eyes. Like a flash of lightning, I woke up ... I made this assumption all night. " Regarding his discovery, Kekule said, "We should dream! ..... we can find the truth, ... but don't announce our dreams before a sober rational test. "