Wilhelm Rudolph Fittig

Wilhelm Rudolph Fittig was a German chemist. He discovered the pinacol coupling reaction, mesitylene, diacetyl and biphenyl. Fittig studied the action of sodium on ketones and hydrocarbons. He discovered the Fittig reaction or Wurtz–Fittig reaction for the synthesis of alkylbenzenes, he proposed a diketone structure for benzoquinone and isolated phenanthrene from coal tar. He discovered and synthesized the first lactones and investigated structures of piperine, naphthalene, and fluorene.

6 December 1835

Born on the same birth day (6 December): Adrian García Arias • Alberto Contador • Benjamin Gilman • Charles Martin Hall • Geoff Hoon • Giannis Antetokounmpo • Henk van Woerden • Joe Hisaishi • Keke Rosberg • Mall Nukke • Peter Handke • Peter Willey • William S. Hart

Born in the same month (December 1835): Alexander Agassiz • Lyman Abbott • Samuel Butler (novelist)