Jean Antoine Claude ChaptalBorn 4 Jun 1756; died 30 Jul 1832 at age 76.French chemist who authored the first book on industrial chemistry. He also coined the name “nitrogen.” His technical activity covered a wide field, such as improvements in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, saltpetre for gunpowder, beet-root sugar, wine, dyeing, bleaching and other things. He was the first to produce sulphuric acid commercially in France at his factory at Montpellier. His career covered the stormy period of the French Revolution. He was arrested, but more fortunate than the brilliant Antoine Lavoisier (who was guillotined), then released to manage the saltpeter works at Grenelle. He also helped to organize the introduction of the metric system. |
