Long before the fundamentals of chemistry were established,

there was alchemy. Alchemy was a speculative science with

goals of finding the elixir of life and the philosopher’s
stone, which could transform base metals into gold.
How did alchemy evolve into the science of chemistry?
Alchemy was a protoscientific tradition practiced in Asia, Egypt, and
Europe.
Asian Alchemy
• Alchemy developed independently in India. Major accomplishments of
Indian alchemists included isolation of metallic zinc, the invention of
steel, and use of flame to identify metals.
• In China, alchemy was started by monks. The creation of gold was an
aim, but the ultimate goal was prolonging life. While trying to find the
elixir of life, the Chinese were able to invent gunpowder. Also, through
their experiments with sulfur, mercury, and arsenic, they were able to
create poisons such as mercuric sulfide.
• In Baghdad, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, a famous Islamic
alchemist, used controlled experiments in his
investigations.
• He was diligent in writing his activities and observations.
• His works were the first to mention silver nitrate and red
oxide of mercury (mercuric oxide).
• His writings also described a handful of laboratory
techniques — distillation, crystallization, reduction,
calcination, dissolution, and sublimation.
Egyptian Alchemy
• Alchemy probably evolved from the Egyptian
metallurgy, extending back to 3500 B.C.
• Some of the Egyptian documents on alchemy contained
manufacturing of imitation gold and silver.
• They also contained recipes for dyes and procedures for
making artificial gemstones and fabricating pearls.
• The recipes and procedures were combined with the
knowledge of the classical elements, air, fire, water, and
earth.
European Alchemy
• Alchemy also thrived in Europe. One of the foremost
alchemists was Paracelsus, who believed that the organs of
the body worked alchemically.
• He proposed that the three essentials or tria prima, salt,
mercury, and sulfur, should be balanced to maintain health.
• He also treated diseases with alchemical approach.
• He used inorganic salts, minerals, and metals to treat
illnesses. He also created laudanum, an opium tincture
used as a painkiller.
The Death of Alchemy and the Beginning of Chemistry
• As time passed by, the writings of alchemists became more
and more cryptic.
• They used unintelligible names for substances.
• They borrowed symbols and words from myths.
• Even the simplest formula read like a magic spell.
• Even though they used common techniques, alchemists
had no standardized scientific practice.
• By the 17th century, alchemy began to decline, as the
scientific method was being established.
• Although alchemists failed in their lofty goals, they left
behind a rich knowledge of chemical information.
• They contributed to the vast uses of chemicals such as
inks, paints, and cosmetics. They were able to create
procedures to prepare liquors.
• They developed porcelain material that became China’s
most valuable commodity.
• Their contributions had been valuable to advancing
civilization.
Nonetheless, alchemy had been crucial in the development of
the field of Chemistry.

Explore!
Imagine being an alchemist in the Ancient times. What would
be your probable contributions to alchemy?

What do you think?

One of the goals of alchemy was to transform a base metal
(such as nickel or copper) into gold. Why is it difficult with
today’s technology?
Key Points
• Alchemy was a speculative science with goals of finding
the elixir of life and transforming base metals into gold.
• Alchemy was a protoscientific tradition practiced in
Egypt, Asia, and Europe.
• Although alchemists failed in their lofty goals, they left
behind a rich knowledge of chemical information.
• Alchemy had been crucial in the development of the field
of Chemistry.