The 110th Anniversary of the Birth of an Outstanding Scientist, Educator, and Researcher in Physical Chemistry, Valentyn Alexandrov

On April 11, the Karazin University community honors the 110th anniversary of the birth of an outstanding scientist, educator, and researcher in the field of physical chemistry — Valentyn Viktorovych Alexandrov (1916–1998).

His scientific work became an important milestone in the development of solution theory and pH-metry. Valentyn Alexandrov proposed an approach to creating a unified temperature scale of acidity and developed methods for determining the acidity of non-aqueous solutions — a field that had both fundamental and applied significance for science and industry. For these studies, in 1973, he was awarded the State Prize together with Mykola Izmailov (posthumously).

The scientist’s life path was closely connected with V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. After graduating from the School of Chemistry, he began his research work as a postgraduate student, which was interrupted by the Second World War.

After returning to the university, Alexandrov активно resumed his teaching and research activities. He quickly gained a reputation as a lecturer who could explain complex concepts in a clear and convincing way. His lectures were memorable for their structure and internal logic, while his attitude toward students combined high standards with support.

His scientific interests focused on the study of non-aqueous and mixed solutions, particularly solvation processes and acid-base interactions. His work laid the foundation for the standardization of acidity measurements in different media and contributed to the implementation of relevant technologies in industry. The practical results of his research were applied in industrial enterprises, and the approaches he developed remain relevant today.

For three decades, Professor Alexandrov headed the Department of Physical Chemistry, and from 1971 to 1980, he served as the Dean of the School of Chemistry. During this period, the faculty strengthened its position as a powerful center of fundamental research, and the scientific school he established gained wide recognition. Under his supervision, dozens of PhD candidates were trained, and hundreds of scientific papers were published.

He активно contributed to the organization of scientific life — initiating conferences and seminars, and promoting professional communication among researchers. The Department of Physical Chemistry became a platform for collaboration between scientists from various research centers, which enhanced its authority in the academic community.

The figure of Valentyn Alexandrov embodies the qualities of a scientist, educator, and organizer of science. His contribution to the development of physical chemistry and university education is an integral part of the history of Karazin University.

Today, honoring the memory of Valentyn Viktorovych, the Karazin community remembers not only a distinguished scientist but also a person whose work, integrity, and dedication helped shape the traditions of university science and education.