Before 1828, the vital force , in Latin screw vitalis , is a mysterious and single cause supposed being able to in vivo build compounds like the acetic Acid or the ethanol. In 1828, this theory is beaten in breach by Friedrich Wöhler, which manages to synthesize the Urée, considered as an organic molecule, starting from an ammonium cyanate solution which is a mineral reagent.

But the theory remains until the end of the century in a weaker form: even if ordinary chemistry explains the formation of the organic molecules, it is the vital force which would explain their fitting complexes characteristic of the living beings. Such a theory implies the possibility of true a spontaneous Generation, by application of the “vital force” to a favourable medium. The experiments of Louis Pasteur, making it possible to connect all the mysterious phenomena to the existence of Microbe S, and impossibility of highlighting a spontaneous generation once taken all the useful precautions (elimination of the “germs”) definitively make give up this theory by science.

Influence on the name of chemical disciplines

Although the theory was given up, it influences the name of two disciplines of chemistry until our days. On the one hand, the Organic chemistry is called thus because it was thought that the chemical Composés of the Carbone which are its object of studies were to be obtained starting from reagents of biological origin (even if, auourd' today, a good part of these compounds are completely synthetic). In addition, inorganic chemistry (chemistry of the elements other than carbon, in particular Métal lic) is called thus because its object of studies were the minerals, even if one knows today that the metal elements are essential with the life (see the page bioinorganic Chimie).

See too

• Life
• Vitalism