How Moscow University's Chemistry Department Forges Cosmic Secrets and Earthly Solutions
Celebrating 270 years of elemental breakthroughs—from Lomonosov's first flask to decoding the molecule that built the universe
When Mikhail Lomonosov founded Moscow State University (MSU) on January 25, 1755, he ignited a chemical renaissance. His decree: science must serve all Russians, unrestricted by class or creed 3 8 . Today, as the Department of Chemistry marks its 270th anniversary, it stands as a living monument to that vision. With 11 Russian Academy of Sciences members, 83 laboratories, and over 1,300 annual publications, this powerhouse continues to unravel mysteries from interstellar gas clouds to cancer therapies 4 . Here, we explore how a single department's alchemy of history and innovation reshapes our understanding of the cosmos.
In 1755, Lomonosov established Russia's first chemistry laboratory at MSU, defying European conventions by excluding theology and admitting commoners. His insistence that science transcend social barriers made MSU a "center of Russian education" 3 4 . The laboratory pioneered quantitative reaction studies—a radical approach when chemistry was still entangled with alchemy.
Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table, commemorated in MSU's 2019 chemistry competition, remains central to the department's identity. Students still race to complete "missing elements" in timed challenges, blending pedagogy with tradition 1 . The Mendeleev Online database, curated by the department, catalogs his manuscripts and modern applications 4 .
Unlike elitist European institutions, early MSU waived tuition for the poor. Patrons donated equipment and books, seeding Russia's first public library (1756) and fostering discoveries like cisplatin—a platinum-based drug developed by MSU biophysicist Barnett Rosenberg that revolutionized chemotherapy 3 5 .
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1755 | Lomonosov founds MSU Chemistry Lab | Russia's first scientific chemistry facility |
| 1869 | Mendeleev publishes periodic table | Framework for elemental classification |
| 1960s | Rosenberg discovers cisplatin | Saves millions from cancer worldwide |
| 2023 | UNESCO awards Mendeleev Prize to faculty | Global recognition for organic chemistry breakthroughs |
In 2025, MSU researchers Piotr Piecuch and Marcos Dantus unveiled a cosmic secret: how trihydrogen (H₃⁺)—dubbed "the molecule that made the universe"—forms in deep space. Unlike classical pathways (H₂ + H₂⁺), their Nature Communications study revealed H₃⁺ emerging from methyl halogens (e.g., CH₃Br) via a "roaming mechanism" 2 .
Objective:
Track H₃⁺ formation in doubly ionized methyl bromide (CH₃Br²⁺).
Methodology:
Results:
| Compound | H₃⁺ Yield (%) | Formation Time (fs) | Role in Cosmic Chemistry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methyl bromide | 92% | 150 | High-efficiency source in molecular clouds |
| Methane | 8% | >500 | Negligible cosmic contributor |
| Acetylene | 35% | 320 | Minor source in nebulae |
"This discovery rewrites our understanding of molecular formation in space. Methyl halogens may be the unsung heroes of cosmic chemistry."
Behind every breakthrough lies meticulously chosen tools. For the H₃⁺ experiments, these reagents enabled atomic choreography:
H₃⁺ precursors that release roaming H₂ upon double ionization
Ultrafast ionization source that ejects electrons without destroying molecular structure
Quantum chemistry simulations that predict proton transfer pathways with 99.8% accuracy
Detect charged fragments and capture H₃⁺ formation in real time
Faculty like Irina Beletskaya (2023 UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev Prize laureate) extend MSU's reach. Her organoelement compounds underpin eco-friendly pharmaceuticals—proving "organic chemistry is the key to environmentally safe production" .
As President Vladimir Putin noted in his 270th-anniversary address, MSU remains Russia's "flagship of higher education"—a beacon when "science transcends political expediency" 8 . From Lomonosov's egalitarian vision to H₃⁺'s star-forging secrets, the department embodies chemistry's power to reveal unity in the universe's apparent chaos. Its next reaction? Catalyzing 270 years more.
"Genuine science knows no boundaries."