Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge (1794-1867): "Self-grown pictures" as precursors of paper chromatography

Abstract

F. F. Runge (1794-1867) made important contributions to the evolution of chemistry during the first part of the 19th century. In studying the possibility of carrying out reactions on filter paper, he produced pictures which strongly resemble present-day, circular paper chromatograms. On the occasion of the bicentenary of Runge's birth, this paper summarizes his life and activities, with particular emphasis on his "chromatographic" work, and on his philosophical interpretation of these pictures. © 1994 Friedr. Vieweg & Sohn Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.