Aleksandr Popov (chemist)

He discovered what is now called Popov's Rule (or Popoff's Rule) which states that in the oxidation of an unsymmetrical ketone, the cleavage of the C−CO bond so that the smaller alkyl group is retained.

He studied at Kazan University and attended the chemistry lectures of A.M. Butlerov.

Graduating in 1865 he worked as a chemical lab assistant and in 1868 received a master's degree and became a professor at the University of Warsaw.

He identified an ordering of stability of radicals based on his examination of oxidation of asymmetric ketones which has been called Popov's rule.

He introduced the use of potassium dichromate (K2CrO7) and sulphuric acid as oxidation reagent in organic analysis.