Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand

Swedish chemist

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Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand was a Swedish chemist known for his contributions to the field of coordination chemistry. In the 19th century, he proposed the "chain theory" to explain the formation and properties of coordination compounds. This theory suggested that ammonia molecules could link together in chains, similar to how carbon atoms form chains in hydrocarbons.1

Blomstrand's theory was later modified and developed by Danish chemist Sophus Mads Jørgensen. While influential, Blomstrand's chain theory was eventually superseded by Alfred Werner's more comprehensive coordination theory, which better explained the structure and bonding in these compounds.1

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coordination compound
History of coordination compounds
…theory (1869) of Swedish chemist Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand, as modified and developed by Danish chemist Sophus Mads Jørgensen. Jørgensen’s extensive preparations of numerous complexes provided the experimental foundation not only for the Blomstrand-Jørgensen chain theory but for Alsatian-born Swiss chemist Alfred Werner’s coordination theory (1893) as well.
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…theory (1869) of Swedish chemist Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand, as modified and developed by Danish chemist Sophus Mads Jørgensen. Jørgensen’s extensive preparations of numerous complexes provided the experimental foundation not only for the Blomstrand-Jørgensen chain theory but for Alsatian-born Swiss chemist Alfred Werner’s coordination theory (1893) as well.
Read More