Justus von Liebig, a highly influential chemist of that era, often criticised Zeise's proposal, but Zeise's proposal was decisively supported in 1868 when Birnbaum prepared the complex using ethylene. Zeise's salt received a great deal of attention during the second half of the 19th century because chemists could not explain its molecular structure.
Justus von Liebig, a highly influential chemist from that era, frequently criticized Zeise’s proposal; however, in 1868, when Birnbaum prepared the complex using ethylene, Zeise's suggestion was supported. During the latter half of the 19th century, Zeise's salt received considerable attention because chemists could not explain its molecular structure.