Joseph Bienaime Caventou French chemist and pharmacist Date of Birth: 22.06.1795 Country: France

Content:

1. Joseph Caventou: A Pioneer in Alkaloid Chemistry
2. Pursuing Pharmacy in Paris
3. Collaboration with Pelletier
4. Extraction of Chlorophyll and Strychnine
5. Groundbreaking Work with Quinine
6. Legacy and Honors
7. Recognition in Hometown

Joseph Caventou: A Pioneer in Alkaloid Chemistry

Early Life and Education
Born in the Fabric Trade

Joseph Caventou was born on the Rue Saint-Berty in Saint-Omer, France. His father, Pierre François Caventou, was a cloth merchant.

Pursuing Pharmacy in Paris

After receiving his early education from his father, Caventou moved to Paris to study at the École de Pharmacie. He later became a professor at this institution.

Collaboration with Pelletier

Unveiling the Power of Solvents

In 1817, Caventou began a 25-year collaboration with Jean Pelletier. They pioneered the use of light solvents to isolate active plant substances. Together, they focused on studying the alkaloids found in plants.

Extraction of Chlorophyll and Strychnine

In 1817, they isolated the green pigment from plant leaves and named it "chlorophyll." They also discovered strychnine, the main alkaloid in nux vomica seeds. Initially, they intended to name it after Vauquelin, but the French Academy of Sciences deemed the name inappropriate for such a toxic substance.

Groundbreaking Work with Quinine

Extracting the Malaria Remedy

In 1820, following the isolation of cinchonine from cinchona bark by B. Gomez, Caventou and Pelletier made their most significant discovery. They extracted alkaloids from cinchonine and named them quinine and cinchonine. They established a factory to produce quinine for combating malaria. Remarkably, they chose not to patent their discovery, ensuring its widespread availability.

Legacy and Honors

Contributions Beyond Quinine

Over their collaboration, Caventou and Pelletier isolated over two dozen substances from cinchona bark and other plants. They also extracted caffeine and coniine.

Recognition in Hometown

A street in Caventou's hometown was named after him in 1879.
Lunar Tribute

A crater on the Moon, 3 km in diameter and 0.4 km deep, is named "Caventou" in his honor.

Chemistry

Juris Hmelnickis	Valeriy Legasov	Galina Tabulevich
Sergey Andronati	Andrzej Borodzik	Waldo Semon