How Serendipity and Chance Can Be Transformed into Knowledge: Examples from 50 Years of Research in Organometallic Chemistry and Homogeneous Catalysis

The important questions of whether and how long-time experiences from an individual’s research can be generalized and contribute to their optimization are discussed. Collected examples from 50 years of activity in organometallic chemistry (phosphorylide compounds, Ni(0) complexes, synthesis and reactions of group 4 bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene complexes, unusual ring-strained four- and five-membered metallacycles, etc.) and homogeneous catalysis (cyclotri- and cyclotetramerization of alkynes, cocyclization of alkynes with nitriles, selective and nonselective ethylene tri- and tetramerization, etc.) shall provide evidence for which mutual influences of the respectively worked on topics may have affected each other. In my scientific career, two facts can be identified. Even from completely negative or even inadequate questions important findings can result. However, it is important that the recognition of the surprising result requires a certain approach. This is characterized by the fact that it is not significant “what” research is conducted but “how”. This seems provocative at first glance, but it means in consequence meticulously processing the bad topics with the good, so that then independently of the original objective, beautiful, new, and unexpected results can often arise, when a quality way of working is practiced. “Chance” plays an essential role in this process, which is also often referred to as “serendipity.” According to a quote by Louis Pasteur, “Chance favors only the prepared mind!”, the approach can be classified accordingly. “Chance” and “knowledge” as two aspects that are mutually dependent and complementary. By the way subjects have been worked on, unpredictable chances always bring forth novel discoveries, which in turn can often be significant. Serendipity and chance can be often transformed into knowledge. Ultimately, there was at first no strategy or any concept behind these developments; the sequences evolved purely by “chance.” It was only later that the newly found fundamentals resulted in any attractive applications.