Resistance a l'introduction en France des theories electroniques de la reactivite chimique. Ses consequences sur l'evolution de la recherche

Abstract

SUMMARY: Chemical research in France has known during several decades a period of stagnation until the mid-60s. To localize one of the origins of this situation, the French contributions to the Conseils Solvay from 1992 until 1937 is analyzed. There appears an antagonism between the 'English' and 'French' schools of thought, the latter led by Jean Perrin. The stubborn hostility of the French chemists towards the electron theory reveals the sterility and immobilism of French chemical science of this period.