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175 Years of Chemistry at the University of Zurich: Tradition, Dedication and Vision

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175 Years of Chemistry at the University of Zurich: Tradition, Dedication and Vision 175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 68 doi:10.2533/chimia.2008.68 CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3 Chimia 62 (2008) 68–74 © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft ISSN 0009–4293 175 Years of Chemistry at the University of Zurich: Tradition, Dedication and Vision Jay S. Siegel* Abstract: April 29th, 2008 marks 175 years that chemistry has thrived as a leading discipline at the University of Zurich and in the intellectual life of Zurich. This issue of CHIMIA is dedicated to honoring this venerable history and celebrating the exciting present-day activities that point to positive future developments for chemistry in Zurich. Keywords: Chemistry Institutes UZH · History of chemistry Introduction tion to more than advancements in research of new knowledge; it promotes innovation April 29th, 2008 marks 175 years that in the teaching and the fostering of young chemistry has thrived as a leading disci- minds, providing creative leadership and pline at UZH and in the intellectual life of force for progressive change in our aca- Zurich. This issue of CHIMIA is dedicated demic and social community. to honoring this venerable history and cel- The special role of chemistry as the ebrating the exciting present-day activities science of all things material, links the ad- that point to positive future developments vances of chemical research to art, science for chemistry in Zurich. and technology. Chemical research blends The motto of UZH 175th anniversary the artisan’s craft with the philosopher’s * Correspondence: Prof. Dr. J. S. Siegel is Wissen Teilen (Sharing Knowledge) dilemma, and as such spans the breadth of Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Zurich to which a corollary would be − Wissen scholarly activities from pure philosophy to Winterthurerstrasse 190 schaffen durch Wissen teilen − (Sharing applied engineering sciences. Chemistry is CH-8006 Zurich Knowledge by Seeking Knowledge). This a crucial part of any well-educated citizen’s Tel.: +41 44 635 4281 Fax: +41 44 635 6888 embodies the idea that a balanced univer- schooling, and an essential component of E-mail: [email protected] sity chemistry program displays a dedica- any prosperous nation’s industrial technol- 175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 69 CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3 ogy. Switzerland as a nation and Zurich as Werner and Karrer). As scholarly as that So it has been since the early days. The a Canton, have reaped demonstrable eco- program was, it was equally clear that the groups of Werner and Karrer were always nomic and intellectual benefits from their many facets and broad reaching implica- large and broadly representative of the na- strong chemical heritage, and the invest- tions of chemistry could not be covered in tions of the world. ment in the future of Chemistry remains one institution. When the Polytechnikum, One poignant example of Zurich’s early a clever strategy for a society dependent now known as the ETH, was established in international standing and synergistic in- upon innovation in medicine, materials and 1856, the complementarity of the two in- teractions between UZH and ETH comes manufacturing. stitutions raised Zurich higher in the inter- from three Japanese scientists who studied Today, with two of Europe’s strongest national scales than either institution could with Willstätter and Werner during the year academic institutions only a stone’s throw claim alone. The independent missions of 1910. Yuji Shibata, Rikou Majima, and Ya- apart, Zurich remains a thriving hub for these two institutions enabled each to grow suhiko Asahina all completed postdoctoral molecular science and related bio/nano strong through cooperative competition. stays in Zurich in 1910, and returned to technologies. The present standing follows The university with a stronger emphasis on Japan to found the fields of modern coor- from a tradition in research, dedication to fundamental research and a liberal peda- dination chemistry, pharmaceutical chem- teaching, and vision toward the future. gogical program is associated with many istry and organic chemistry, respectively. Excitement over the exploration of the revolutionary changes in the conception of The accomplishments of these three men molecular world combined with the socially chemistry. Paul Karrer expressed this same in altering the face of modern chemistry responsive reportage of one’s findings has sentiment ca. 50 years ago. I paraphrase his in Japan are amply documented in histori- earmarked the legions of scholars at UZH words here: cal works, all of which cite their respective who have earned their wings as Chemists. Numerous fundamental developments times in Zurich. That they knew each other During this period, they have forged strong in chemistry are associated with Zurich. and socialized collectively during their Zu- personal ties to mentors and built lifelong The high standard of chemical science pur- rich days is documented in a now famous networks that support them throughout sued by Zurich’s two academic institutions tourist photo (Fig. 1). Three such influential their professional lives. This band of alu- is responsible to a significant extent for the figures, two leading chemical research cen- mini (and of course alumnae) came from all advance of chemistry at its roots and for ters, one great city! over the globe to Zurich and now represents the support of a strong and vibrant Swiss The latter groups, such as Schwarzen- the UZH tradition as leaders of industry and industry. Few cities can boast such accom- bach, Schmid and Clusius, also benefited academia worldwide. Their contribution plishments. greatly from an international mix of stu- to the UZH experience provides a strong Indeed, rare are the cities of the world dents. Indeed the university, from concep- history upon which current students can that can boast two leading academic institu- tion to today, boasts of a cosmopolitan build. tions, which together provide the citizenry working environment. Chemistry in Zurich has molded cul- with an intellectual environment so condu- Local and international ‘Nachwuchs’, tural, political and economic aspects of cive to the pursuit of enterprise and to the or youth development, was an early forte society. The discipline is wed to the Swiss personal development of its future genera- of the Zurich school, and was driven by the (Zurcher) way of life. One could even pon- tions. Modern chemistry, as it is pursued in vision of the patriarchs. In addition to the der the abbreviation for Switzerland (CH) greater Zurich environment, continues this Japanese anecdote above, numerous chem- as coming more from Chemistry than from tradition. istry professors and industry leaders came Confoederatio Helvetica. Conrad Hans Eugster published a de- from the labs on Rämistrasse. tailed history of the first 150 years of UZH chemical heritage in German 25 years ago. Chemistry in Canton Zurich In this issue, Gillian Harvey has produced a translation of this work into English. Start- In 1833, a new university formally ing from this as a basis for the historical opened in Zurich, a city with centuries of record, special focus articles highlight the scholarly ecumenical activity as well as individual institutes of chemistry: 75 years extensive recognition for medicinal stud- of Physical Chemistry by Professor Robert ies. The founders, such as Orelli, had the Huber, the Werner tradition in Inorganic vision that this University should be for all Chemistry by Professor Heinz Berke and of Switzerland, and should have an inter- colleagues, and the last 25 years in Organic national reputation as a leading house for Chemistry by Professor Heinz Heimgartner liberal thought. and me. The first Rector, a Physician and Natural Another important part of the UZH Philosopher by background, was dedicated chemical legacy is the collection of research to an academic program founded in the re- samples preserved from the researcher pro- search and development of new knowledge. grams of Werner, Karrer, Schmid and Eug- Chemistry, with its fundamental mission ster. Nathaniel Finney provides a perspec- to create new forms of matter and control tive on these collections in an article that their transformations, featured prominently traces the chemical history of UZH through in this plan. The importance of chemistry these research collections. was highlighted with a charter chaired full professor and the recognition that the pur- suit of chemistry meant a commitment to An International Program for the technologies of its investigation. Chemical Research It is well known that the soil for 19th century chemistry was extremely fertile The student composition at UZH should Fig. 1. Yuji Shibata, Rikou Majima and Yasuhiko and led propitiously to some of Switzer- also reflect its international position of stat- Asahina sharing a social day in Zurich during land’s earliest Nobel Prize winners ( cf. ure as a major hub for chemical research. their postdoctoral studies in 1910 175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 70 CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3 With Bologna reforms in curricula, mo- bility among universities of different coun- tries should become easier and the student body should become even more interna- tional. A liberalization of the curriculum to afford students a chance to pursue more in- terdisciplinary areas is greatly anticipated. The international flavor is highly prized at UZH, and our program continues to evolve to accommodate students from all science study backgrounds into chemistry. As with all present day global ventures, the use of English as a lingua franca great- ly facilitates intercultural exchange, and in this spirit teaching in Chemistry at UZH prepares students for a global career. Mixed international character, English discussion, and a liberal curriculum, make UZH a pro- gressive chemical research environment. The international tradition of UZH has grown with time. Today the student and professorial ranks are broadly populated with the best scientists from Europe, Asia and the Americas. Chemistry at UZH is thus best seen as an international program Fig. 2. Werner’s text Fig.
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