Jean-Jacques Colin

Jean-Jacques Colin (16 December 1784 – 1865) was a French chemist known for his work in plant physiology, fermentation, and the chemistry of iodine. He collaborated with Henri-François Gaultier de Claubry on research demonstrating the interaction between iodine and starch, and with Pierre Jean Robiquet on the isolation of alizarin and purpurin from madder root.^[1] Colin held teaching positions at the École Polytechnique, the University of Sciences in Dijon, and the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr. Over his career, he published research across chemistry, mineralogy, and biology, contributing to studies on seed germination, fermentation, dye production, and soap manufacturing.^[2][3][4]

Early life and education

Jean-Jacques Colin was born on 16 December 1784 in Riom, Department of Puy-de-Dôme, France.^[2] He was appointed a répétiteur (tutor) of chemistry at the École Polytechnique under Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac, a post he held until 1817.^[2] Following the political changes after the Restoration, his salary was reduced, leading to his resignation.^[2]

Career

In 1818, Colin was appointed professor of chemistry at the University of Sciences in Dijon. He also taught at the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr and served as a corresponding member of the Philomatic society.^[2]

Colin published research across inorganic and organic chemistry, mineralogy, entomology, and plant physiology.^[2] Together with Henri-François Gaultier de Claubry, he studied the chemical interactions between iodine and organic substances, observing the reaction between iodine and starch.^[3][2] In collaboration with Pierre-Jean Robiquet, he contributed to the isolation of alizarin and purpurin from madder root.^[2][4][1]

Colin co-authored studies on seed germination, respiration, and the effects of temperature and humidity on cereal crops.^[2] He conducted research on fermentation processes involving organic materials and alcohol production.^[2] His additional studies addressed indigo extraction, soap manufacturing, stain removal from textiles, and the properties of pyroligneous acid and creosote.^[2]

Colin authored approximately 30 scientific papers and books.^[2] He died in 1865.^[2]

Bibliography

• Colin, Jean-Jacques (1827). Cours de chimie à l'usage de MM. les élèves de l'École militaire de Saint-Cyr. Paris: Thomine.
• Colin, Jean-Jacques (1841). Considérations élémentaires sur les proportions chimiques, les équivalents et les atomes, pour servir d'introduction à l'étude de la chimie. Paris: Gauthier-Laguionie.
• Robiquet, Pierre-Jean; Colin, Jean-Jacques (1826). "Sur un nouveau principe immédiat des végétaux (l'alizarine) obtenu de la garance". Journal de Pharmacie. 12 (2): 407–412.
• Robiquet, Pierre-Jean; Colin, Jean-Jacques (1827). "Nouvelles recherches sur la matière colorante de la garance". Annales de Chimie et de Physique. 2. 34: 225–253.
• Colin, Jean-Jacques (1825). "Mémoire sur la fermentation du sucre". Annales de Chimie. 28: 128–142.
• Colin, Jean-Jacques (1825). "Mémoire sur la fermentation. Deuxième partie". Annales de Chimie. 30: 42–64.
• Colin, Jean-Jacques (1842). "Nouveaux mémoire sur la fermentation". Mémoires de la Société des Sciences Naturelles et Archéologiques de Seine-et-Oise. 2: 1–43.
• Colin, Jean-Jacques; Gaultier de Claubry, Henri-François (1814). "Sur les combinaisons de l'iode avec les substances végétales et animales". Annales de Chimie. 90: 87–100.