August Kekulé

August Kekulé was a German chemist in the 19th century known for his pivotal contributions to organic chemistry. He is best recognized for proposing the structure of benzene, a key aromatic compound, as a hexagonal ring with alternating double bonds. This insight helped to explain benzene's unique stability and reactivity. Kekulé's work laid the foundation for understanding molecular structures and helped advance the field of organic chemistry, influencing the development of various chemical compounds and materials that are essential in pharmaceuticals, dyes, and more. His ideas revolutionized how scientists conceptualize complex organic molecules.