Hermann von Fehling

Hermann von Fehling (9 June 1812 - 1 July 1885) was a German chemist, famous as the developer of Fehling's solution used for estimation of sugar.

He was born in Lübeck. With the intention of taking up pharmacy he entered Heidelberg University about 1835. After graduating he went to Gießen as preparateur to Justus von Liebig, with whom he elucidated the composition of paraldehyde and metaldehyde. In 1839, on Liebig's recommendation, he was appointed to the chair of chemistry in the polytechnic in Stuttgart, a position he held for over 45 years. He died in Stuttgart in 1885.

His earlier work included an investigation of succinic acid, and the preparation of phenyl cyanide (better known as benzonitrile), the simplest nitrile of the aromatic series. Later his time was mainly occupied with questions of technology and public health rather than with pure chemistry.

Among the analytical methods he worked up the best known is that for the estimation of sugars. Known as Fehling's solution it is a solution of copper sulfate mixed with alkali and potassium sodium tartrate (Rochelle salt). He was a contributor to the "Handworterbuch" of Liebig, Friedrich Wöhler and Johann Christian Poggendorff, and to the "Graham-Otto Textbook of Chemistry". For many years was a member of the committee of revision of the "Pharmacopoeia Germanica".

References

* [http://books.google.com/books?id=uHOvjN7Fk88C&pg=PA64&lpg= Quantitative Bestimmung des Zuckers im Harn]
*cite journal
journal = Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie
volume = 72
issue = 1
pages = 106–113
title = Die quantitative Bestimmung von Zucker und Stärkmehl mittelst Kupfervitriol
author = H. Fehling
year = 1849
doi = 10.1002/jlac.18490720112
*cite journal
journal = Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft
volume = 18
issue = 2
pages = 1811–1820
title = Sitzung vom 13. Juli 1885
author = A. W. Hofmann
year = 1885
doi = 10.1002/cber.18850180202
*cite journal
journal = J. Chem. Soc., Trans.
volume = 49
issue =
pages = 329–356
year = 1885
title = Annual General Meeting
author =
doi = 10.1039/CT8864900329