Contents
Roald Hoffmann
Explaining chemical reactions through orbital symmetry.
Woodward–Hoffmann rules · Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Born
- 18 July 1937
- Birthplace
- Zolochiv, now Ukraine
More people
Roald Hoffmann
Roald Hoffmann is a Polish-born American theoretical chemist, teacher and writer. His work helped chemists predict how molecules react, and he shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Kenichi Fukui.
Early life
Wartime survival
Survived the Holocaust in hiding with his mother; his father was killed after organising resistance in a labour camp.
Migration and study
Reached the United States in 1949 and later studied at Columbia and Harvard.
Career
- 1962
Harvard doctorate
Completed theoretical chemistry research with William Lipscomb.
- 1964
Woodward collaboration
Began analysing organic reactions with Robert Burns Woodward.
- 1965
Cornell
Joined the university, developing a long research and teaching career.
Contributions
Woodward–Hoffmann rules
Related reaction pathways to the symmetry of molecular orbitals.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Recognised for theories concerning the course of chemical reactions.
The World of Chemistry
Presented a television series explaining chemistry to a broad audience.
Beyond the lab
Poetry
Published The Metamict State and other poetry collections.
Arts and science
Maintained interests in literature and art history alongside his scientific work.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel autobiography ↗Photo: Cmichel67. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
