Karl Freudenberg facts for kids
Karl Johann Freudenberg (born January 29, 1886, died April 3, 1983) was an important German chemist. He made big discoveries about how different chemicals are built. He studied things like carbohydrates (sugars), terpenes, and steroids. He also figured out the correct structure of cellulose, which is a key part of plant cell walls. He also learned a lot about lignin, another important plant material. A special research institute was even made for him at the University of Heidelberg. He led this institute for many years.
About Karl Freudenberg's Life
Karl Freudenberg began his studies at Bonn University in 1904. Later, from 1907 to 1910, he studied at the University of Berlin. There, he learned from a famous chemist named Emil Fischer. In July 1910, Karl Freudenberg married Doris Nieden. They had five children together.
Karl's grandfather, Carl Johann Freudenberg, was a tanner and a businessman. In 1849, his grandfather started a company called Freudenberg Group with Heinrich Christian Heintze.
Karl Freudenberg's Career as a Professor
Karl Freudenberg became a professor at several universities. In 1921, he taught at the University of Freiburg. The next year, in 1922, he moved to Heidelberg University. From 1926 to 1956, he was a professor at Karlsruhe University.
He also became the director of a special research center. This was the Research Institute for the Chemistry of Wood and Polysaccharides at the University of Heidelberg. He led this important institute from 1936 until 1969.
Karl Freudenberg's Important Books
Karl Freudenberg wrote several important books about his chemistry research. These books shared his discoveries with other scientists.
- Chemie der natürlichen Gerbstoffe (1920): This book was about tannins, which are natural substances found in plants.
- Stereochemie (1933): This book focused on stereochemistry, which is the study of how atoms are arranged in molecules.
- Tannin, Cellulose, Lignin (1933): This book covered his work on tannins, cellulose, and lignin. These are all important natural materials.
