Contents
Robert Burns Woodward
Constructing complex natural molecules through planned chemical synthesis.
Strychnine synthesis · Orbital symmetry rules
- Born
- 10 April 1917
- Birthplace
- Boston, United States
- Died
- 8 July 1979
More people
Robert Burns Woodward
Robert Burns Woodward was an American organic chemist whose laboratory work and theoretical insight transformed synthetic chemistry.
Early life
Childhood experiments
Taught himself chemistry and sought out original research papers while still at school.
Accelerated study
Completed his MIT doctorate in 1937, a year after his undergraduate degree.
Career
- 1937
Harvard
Joined the university, where he spent his research career.
- 1963
Research institute
Became director of the Woodward Research Institute in Basel.
- 1965
Nobel recognition
Received the chemistry prize for organic synthesis.
Contributions
Strychnine synthesis
Constructed the complex alkaloid in the laboratory.
Orbital symmetry rules
Worked with Roald Hoffmann to explain patterns in chemical reactions.
Vitamin B12
A collaboration with Albert Eschenmoser completed its total synthesis.
Beyond the lab
Research teaching
Trained generations of chemists through demanding, detailed explanations of synthesis.
Family
Had three daughters and a son from his two marriages.
Sources & photo credit
Wikipedia biography and references ↗Further biography and career ↗Photo: Robert_Burns_Woodward_in_1965.jpg : The original uploader was Peter Geymayer at German Wikipedia . ( Original text: Dr. Peter Geymayer ) derivative work: ≈ C hamal talk ¤. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
