Discovery of the Michael Reaction

This essay deals with the details of the discovery of the Michael addition reaction, focusing on Arthur Michael, an American chemist, after whom it is named. Michael envisaged the possibility of an addition reaction of sodiomalonate ester or sodioacetoacetate ester to α,β-unsaturated acid esters and confirmed this by experimentation. Some instances of the Michael addition were observed prior to Michael's crucial finding, and the validity of his credit as the discoverer is discussed. At the same time, a general consideration is made on chemical creativity with reference to the individuality in the career and the personality of A. Michael.