0Organic chemistry is the study of compounds that contain carbon. It is one of the major branches of chemistry.
In 1815, a Swedish chemist J.J. Berzelius put forward vital force theory to explain the origin of the organic compounds.which is known as the vital force theory. According to this theory "organic compounds are produced only under the influence of some mysterious force existing in the living organisms.This theory emphasizes on a special force or a living force or presence of life as a basic requirement for formation of organic compounds.This theory does not account synthesis of organic compounds in the laboratory.
But in 1828 Frederich Wohler proved the 'vital force' theory wrong by synthesizing urea (an inorganic compound) in the laboratory.
Wöhler mixed silver cyanate and ammonium chloride to produce solid silver chloride and aqueous ammonium cyanate:
NH 4Cl + AgOCN --> NH4OCN + AgCl.
He then separated the mixture by filtration and tried to purify the aqueous ammonium cyanate by evaporating the water.
Friedrich Wöhler is considered the father of Organic chemistry.
