Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff

Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, Jr.
van 't Hoff by Nicola Perscheid in 1904
Born	(1852-08-30)30 August 1852 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Died	1 March 1911(1911-03-01) (aged 58) Steglitz near Berlin, German Empire
Residence	Netherlands German Empire
Nationality	Dutch
Fields	Physical chemistry Organic chemistry Theoretical chemistry
Institutions	Veterinary College in Utrecht University of Amsterdam University of Berlin
Alma mater	Delft University of Technology University of Leiden University of Bonn University of Paris University of Utrecht
Doctoral advisor	Eduard Mulder
Doctoral students	Ernst Cohen
Other notable students	Frederick G. Donnan
Known for	One of the founders of stereochemistry One of the founders of physical chemistry Modern concept of chemical affinity Predicting the structure of tetrahedral carbon atom (asymmetric carbon) Predicting the existence of chiral allenes Stereoisomerism Chemical thermodynamics Chemical kinetics Chemical equilibrium Osmotic pressure Van 't Hoff equation Van 't Hoff factor Le Bel-van't Hoff rule
Notable awards	Davy Medal (1893) ForMemRS (1897) Nobel Prize for Chemistry (1901)

Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, Jr. (Dutch pronunciation: [vɑn(ə)t ˈɦɔf]; 30 August 1852 – 1 March 1911) was a Dutch physical chemist. A highly influential theoretical chemist of his time, van 't Hoff was the first winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His pioneering work helped found the modern theory of chemical affinity, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and chemical thermodynamics. In his 1874 pamphlet Van't Hoff formulated the theory of the tetrahedral carbon atom and laid the foundations of stereochemistry. In 1875 he predicted the correct structures of allenes and cumulenes as well as their axial chirality. He is also widely considered one of the founders of physical chemistry as the discipline is known today.

The third of seven children, Van 't Hoff was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 30 August 1852. His father was Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, Sr., a physician, and his mother was Alida Kolff van 't Hoff. From a young age, he was interested in science and nature, and frequently took part in botanical excursions. In his early school years, he showed a strong interest in poetry and philosophy. He considered Lord Byron to be his idol.

Against the wishes of his father, Van 't Hoff chose to study chemistry. First, he enrolled at Delft University of Technology in September 1869, and studied until 1871, when he passed his final exam on at 8 July and obtained a degree of chemical technologist. He passed all his courses in two years, although the time assigned to study was three years. Then he enrolled at University of Leiden to study chemistry. He then studied in Bonn, Germany, with Friedrich Kekulé and in Paris with C. A. Wurtz. He received his doctorate under Eduard Mulder at the University of Utrecht in 1874.