ESSAY ON THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL AND MEDICAL CHEMISTRY NAMED AFTER PROF. V.V. KHORUNZHIY

Abstract

The history of the Department of General and Medical Chemistry named after Prof. V.V. Khorunzhiy SPbSPMU dates back to the spring of 1932, when the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute was founded under the leadership of Professor M.N. Vishnyakov. Under the scientific supervision of M.N. Vishnyakov, scientific work was carried out in the field of synthesis of sulfur derivatives of acetone, the action of magnesium on alcohols, hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds, the action of lyophilic colloids on the dissolution rate of some oxides, catalytic decomposition of acetals. In 1942–1949, the department was headed by Professor M.M. Koton. Under his leadership, five PhD theses in the field of reactivity of organometallic compounds and acetal reactions were written and successfully defended. During the Great Patriotic War, M.M. Koton, in addition to heading the department, simultaneously headed the Institute chemical service and the special chemical laboratory. In the most difficult conditions of the siege of Leningrad, M.M. Koton could organize the continuing educational process at the department. After M.M. Koton, the department was headed by Associate Professor I.A. Chernov (1949–1951) and Professor O.A. Alekin (1951–1952). Researches by associate Professor S.M. Labuzov, who headed the department from 1952 to 1959, were devoted to the synthesis of a number of organic substances, reactions of organometallic
compounds with organic acids and phenols, as well as the introduction of physico-chemical research methods into medical practice. In 1959–1967 the head of the department was Associate Professor M.I. Kulenok. He organized a physico-chemical laboratory, determined the absorption spectra in the visible and ultraviolet regions of color reactions of analytical significance, developed new methods of determining small amounts of pesticides in food, water and other objects, designed a number of devices for hygienic research. In 1967–1977 the department was headed by associate professor Yu.G. Zverev. From 1998 to 2018 the department was headed by Professor V.V. Khorunzhiy whose name the department now bears. For many years he combined extensive pedagogical, educational, methodological and scientific work with social activities. Especially noteworthy are the abilities of Professor V.V. Khorunzhego as an outstanding researcher: he was one of the co-authors of the invention of the infusion solution “Physiolite”, which is used to fill the deficit and provide physiological needs in water and basic electrolytes. Currently, the department is headed by Associate Professor Z.M. Sarkisyan who continues the traditions of the past years and introduces new directions in pedagogical, methodological and research work.