Q
Which acid was first created from inorganic materials by Hermann Kolbe in 1845?
RRB NTPC (UG) CBT-1, 29-Aug-25 S-1
2025
✓ Answer:
D
Acetic Acid
Acetic Acid was first created from inorganic materials by Hermann Kolbe in 1845. This was a major scientific achievement that further challenged the prevailing theory of 'vitalism,' which held that organic compounds could only be produced by living organisms through a special 'vital force'. Kolbe's multi-step synthesis began with carbon disulfide and involved several intermediate steps including chlorination and electrolytic reduction to ultimately yield acetic acid.