Subsequent to his departure from school, Zeise engaged in an apprenticeship under Gottfried Becker, the Royal Court pharmacist in Copenhagen, who was also involved in teaching chemistry at the university. A decline in his health necessitated Zeise's temporary return to his home country.
Upon returning to Copenhagen in 1806, Zeise took residence with Oersted and his family. Oersted, who had recently assumed the role of an extraordinary professor of physics and chemistry at Copenhagen, assigned Zeise the role of his lecture assistant.
In 1809, Zeise commenced his studies in medicine, physics, and chemistry. His efforts culminated in the award of a pharmacy degree in 1815. The subsequent year marked his achievement of a master's degree. In 1817, he presented his doctoral thesis titled ‘The Impact of Alkalies on Organic Substances.’
Following the completion of his doctorate, William Christopher Zeise chose to relocate abroad due to the absence of a chemistry lectureship and a specialized scientific laboratory for the subject at the University of Copenhagen.
In 1823, his investigation into organic sulfur compounds led to the recognition of a novel classification of organic compounds known as xanthates. These were subsequently isolated as yellow potassium salts. Additionally, he made significant discoveries concerning thioalcohols, also recognized as mercaptans, and sulfides, alternatively termed thioethers.
On November 12, 1847, Zeise passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the age of fifty-eight.
William Christopher Zeise: Danish organic chemist
