Adolf von Baeyer summary: Learn about Adolf von Baeyer, his work on synthesizing indigo, and his contributions to chemistry.

Adolf von Baeyer, (born Oct. 31, 1835, Berlin, Prussia—died Aug. 20, 1917, Starnberg, near Munich, Ger.), German research chemist. He synthesized indigo and formulated its structure, discovered the phthalein dyes, and investigated such chemical families as the polyacetylenes, oxonium salts, and uric-acid derivatives (discovering barbituric acid, parent compound of the barbiturates). He also made contributions to theoretical chemistry. He received the Nobel Prize in 1905.