Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov

Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov (1861, Saint Petersburg — 1940, Minsk) was a Russian and Soviet chemical technologist and was the founder of forest chemistry in Belarus. He held a Doctor of Chemical Sciences degree, was an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of BSSR (NAS BSSR), and was honored as a Distinguished Scientist of BSSR (1938). Shkatelov authored over 60 scientific works on forest and agricultural technology. Among the first researchers to identify the superior quality of Russian turpentine. Shkatelov also developed innovative methods for processing resin and analyzed the chemical composition of resins into the family of a state official.

Shkatelov received his secondary education at the Second Classical and later the First Classical Gymnasium in St. Petersburg.In 1878, he entered the Imperial Moscow Technical School, graduating in 1884 with a specialization in chemical engineering and earning the title of engineer-technologist.

Scientific Research Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov, in his dissertation "On the Chemical Composition of Resins". studied the chemical properties of resins, with a particular focus on Russian turpentine and rosin. This work earned him the title of Engineer-Technologist, equivalent to a modern Doctor of Chemical Sciences. Dmitri Mendeleev highly regarded Shkatelov's research, utilizing its findings to support a proposal to increase tariffs on foreign turpentine and resin

Shkatelov's research demonstrated the economic feasibility of tapping resin in Russia. In Belarus, he investigated the composition and properties of resin acids from Belarusian pine, showing them to be analogous to those of American and French pine. In 1926, he conducted studies on turpentine and rosin production from Crimean pine. His extensive research on pine tapping techniques and resin collection technologies enabled the establishment of the Bobruisk and Borisov rosin-turpentine factories, as well as the Novobelitsa rosin-soap plant, during 1929–1930.

Shkatelov is considered the founder of the Belarusian scientific school in forest chemistry, having trained a large cohort of forest chemists and advancing the field significantly

Honors and Awards In 1919, Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov was awarded the title of Honored Professor by the decision of the Council of the Kharkiv Agricultural Institute.

In 1929, he was elected an Academician of the NAS BSSR.

In 1938, Shkatelov received the title of Honored Scientist of the BSSR.

Legacy A laboratory of Chemistry of Natural High-Molecular Compounds at the Institute of Physical-Organic Chemistry of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences was named in honor of Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov. He was buried at the Military Cemetery in Minsk

Interesting Facts Prediction of Gas Burners: Vladimir Viktorovich Shkatelov predicted the development of Auer gas burners, which utilize wood gas.

Fluency in French: Shkatelov was fluent in French, and several of his works were published in Paris in the French language. He was a welcomed guest in France and even gifted a collection of resin acids to the French.