Two stars on chemistry horizon (of V. E. Bogdanovskaya and V. N. Ipatiev 150th anniversary)

Abstract

Until the first quarter of 20th century women could not obtain higher education in Russia. Lev Gumilev commented that only most passionate of them could do it. Their quantity was not even dozens; only few names are known. Nevertheless, some chemists we can reveal among them, namely Maria Bakulina, Margaret von Wrangel, Vera Balandina, Vera Bogdanovskaya, Anna Volkova, Vera Glebova, Julia Lermontova, and Lina Shtern. This paper is devoted to one of them, namely Vera Evstafevna Bogdanovskaya-Popova. She was not only experimental chemist, but also the author of one of the first original Russian school textbooks in chemistry. In the history of chemistry in our country we can find another amazing person who has not received special chemical education, i. e., did not obtain the University degree in this specialty. Nevertheless, his works in organic chemistry were so brilliant that he has received international recognition, as well as it was confirmed by his Academician degree. His name is Vladimir Nikolayevich Ipatiev. Both of these scientists will celebrate soon (the year 2017) the 150th anniversaries of their birthdays. Refs 22. Figs 9.