Two constitutional isomers with exceptionally similar structures have had very different impacts in chemistry and beyond. With this example, Bruce Gibb highlights just how difficult it is to predict how much a particular compound or piece of chemical research will contribute to society, especially in the short term.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Robinson, R. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 69, 1944–1945 (1947).
Fischer, O. Method of preparing oxyquinoline. US patent 270045 (1883).
Fox, J. J. P. Chem. Soc. London 26, 134 (1910).
Hahn, F. L. & Vieweg, K. Z. Anal. Chem. Freseniu. 71, 122–130 (1927).
Albrecht, M., Fiege, M. & Osetska, O. Coordin. Chem. Rev. 252, 812–824 (2008).
Tang, C. W. & VanSlyke, S. A. Appl. Phys. Lett. 51, 913–915 (1987).
Morrissey, S. R. Chem. Eng. News 89, 24–26 (2011).
Thomas, P., Albert, M. B., Hicks, D. & Kroll, P. The Council for Chemical Research (Washington DC, 2005).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gibb, B. A tale of two compounds. Nature Chem 3, 749–750 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1152
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1152
