Born 19 Jun 1783; died 20 Feb 1841 at age 57.

#German #chemist who #discovered #morphine (1806) while trying to isolate the portion of #opium that caused #sleep.

He named the bitter white #crystalline #alkaloid after #Morpheus, the Greek god of #dreams.

When his initial reports of the drug's properties were challenged, he engaged the help of three friends in test taking the drug themselves. After this delay, the medicinal values of morphine were recognized in his lifetime.

Subsequently, Sertürner became insane in mid-life, though he lived to age 57.

Morphine is among the most important naturally occurring compounds, being of use in the treatment of #pain and other #calming effects.

Unfortunately, #addiction is a possible side effect. Its discovery established alkaloid chemistry.

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