科学的意外发现：偶然与必然

doi:10.12461/PKU.DXHX202609054

大学化学

科学的意外发现：偶然与必然

吴光鹭¹, 张希^1,2

1 吉林大学化学学院, 超分子结构与材料全国重点实验室, 吉林长春 130012;
2 清华大学化学系, 有机光电子与分子工程教育部重点实验室, 北京 100084

收稿日期:2026-09-04 录用日期:2026-09-15
通讯作者: 吴光鹭, 张希 E-mail:xi@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn;guanglu@jlu.edu.cn Guanglu Wu, Xi Zhang
基金资助:
教育部基础学科和交叉学科突破计划(JYB2025XDXM401)

Serendipity in science: chance and necessity

Guanglu Wu¹, Xi Zhang^1,2

1 State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin Province, China;
2 Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics and Molecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Received:2026-09-04 Accepted:2026-09-15
Contact: Guanglu Wu, Xi Zhang E-mail:xi@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn;guanglu@jlu.edu.cn

摘要/Abstract

摘要： 科学研究建立在严谨的实验设计与逻辑推演之上，但科学发现并不总是按照预设的路径发生。回望科学史，许多重要突破都源于计划之外的偶然发现(Serendipity)。本文借鉴英国学者Ohid Yaqub对科学研究中意外发现的分类框架，以顺铂、橡胶硫化、笑气麻醉和聚四氟乙烯等经典案例，介绍不同类型意外发现的发生方式。在此基础上，进一步探讨意外发现背后的共同机制：看见异常、追问异常、连接线索、交流合作，并最终通过实验验证将偶然转化为科学发现。导电高分子的发现进一步表明，偶然本身并不足以带来突破，敏锐的观察、持续的好奇、知识的积累、跨学科交流与开放的科研环境同样不可或缺。我们无法设计“意外”，却可以培养发现意外的能力，并创造让意外得以生长的环境，从而在科学研究的确定性中，为“不期而遇”的发现留下空间。

关键词: 科学史, 意外发现, 反常现象, 科学发现, 科学思维

Abstract: Scientific research is built upon rigorous experimental design and logical reasoning, yet scientific discoveries do not always follow predetermined paths. Throughout the history of science, many important breakthroughs have arisen from unexpected observations and serendipitous discoveries. Drawing on Ohid Yaqub’s framework for classifying serendipity in research, this article uses classic examples— including cisplatin, rubber vulcanization, nitrous oxide anesthesia, and polytetrafluoroethylene—to illustrate different ways in which unexpected discoveries can occur. It further explores the common mechanisms underlying such discoveries: noticing anomalies, asking questions, connecting seemingly unrelated clues, communicating and collaborating across disciplines, and ultimately validating unexpected findings through experiments. The discovery of conducting polymers further demonstrates that serendipity alone does not lead to scientific breakthroughs; keen observation, sustained curiosity, accumulated knowledge, interdisciplinary exchange, and an open research environment are equally important. Although we cannot deliberately design serendipity, we can cultivate the ability to recognize and pursue the unexpected and create an environment in which unexpected findings are more likely to develop into scientific discoveries.

Key words: History of science, Serendipity, Anomalous observation, Scientific discovery, Scientific thinking

吴光鹭, 张希. 科学的意外发现：偶然与必然[J]. 大学化学, 2026, (): 2609054.

Guanglu Wu, Xi Zhang. Serendipity in science: chance and necessity[J]. University Chemistry, 2026, (): 2609054.

链接本文: https://www.dxhx.pku.edu.cn/CN/10.12461/PKU.DXHX202609054

https://www.dxhx.pku.edu.cn/CN/Y2026/V/I/2609054

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