Friedrich Georg Carl (Friedrich) Gaedcke (5 June 1828 – 19 September 1890) was a German chemist.[1] He was the first person to isolate the cocaine alkaloid in 1855.[2][3]
Friedrich Gaedcke | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 June 1828 |
| Died | 19 September 1890 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | German |
| Known for | discovering cocaine |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | pharmaceutics |
Life
editGaedcke worked in a pharmacy in Rostock and studied in Rostock between 1850 and 1851. In 1856, he took over a pharmacy in Dömitz which he ran for 34 years. He is described as having made contributions to the pharmaceutical history of Mecklenburg[1]
Discovery of Cocaine
editWorking with coca leaves, Gaedcke isolated the cocaine molecule.[3] Gaedcke named the alkaloid “erythroxyline,” and published a description in the journal Archiv der Pharmazie in 1855.[4][5] He described the alkaloid as being of small crystal molecules with needle-like points on four to six sides.[3] He reported the numbing effects of the molecule on himself following a small tongue test.[3] Gaedcke's research received little attention at the time of its publication but would come to prominence a few years later following further work by Albert Niemann and scientists.[3] He is believed to have carried out his research in the private laboratory of Franz Leopold Sonnenschein.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "[Early history of cocaine isolation: Domitzer pharmacist Friedrich Gaedcke (1828-1890); contribution to Mecklenburg pharmaceutical history]". PubMed. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Luch, Andreas (2009-04-03). Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Basel Boston: Springer Science & Business Media. p. 20. ISBN 978-3-7643-8336-7.
- ^ a b c d e West, Krista (2008). Cocaine and Crack. Infobase Publishing. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-4381-1822-2.
- ^ F. Gaedcke (1855). "Ueber das Erythroxylin, dargestellt aus den Blättern des in Südamerika cultivirten Strauches Erythroxylon Coca Lam". Archiv der Pharmazie. 132 (2): 141–150. doi:10.1002/ardp.18551320208. S2CID 86030231.
- ^ Zaunick R. (1956). "Early history of cocaine isolation: Domitzer pharmacist Friedrich Gaedcke (1828–1890); contribution to Mecklenburg pharmaceutical history". Beitr Gesch Pharm Ihrer Nachbargeb. 7 (2): 5–15. PMID 13395966.
- ^ Anesthesia History Association Newsletter, Volumes 1–13, Issue 2. 1982, page 4
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