Woodward, Robert B(urns)

Woodward, Robert B(urns)
born April 10, 1917, Boston, Mass., U.S.
died July 8, 1979, Cambridge, Mass.

U.S. chemist.

He attended MIT and taught at Harvard University (1938–79). Recognizing that physical measurement revealed molecular structure better than chemical reaction, in 1940–42 he developed "Woodward's rules" for determining structure by ultraviolet spectroscopy. In 1945 his methods finally clarified the structure of penicillin and of many more complex natural products. He proposed the correct biosynthetic pathway of steroid hormones. He was the most accomplished synthesist of complex organic compounds, including quinine (1944) and vitamin B12 (1971, in more than 100 reactions), a task that led to the fundamental concept of conservation of orbital symmetry. He received a 1965 Nobel Prize, and in 1963 the new Woodward Research Institute in Basel, Switz., was named for him.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Woodward, Robert B(urns) — (10 abr. 1917, Boston, Mass., EE.UU. –8 jul. 1979, Cambridge, Mass.). Químico estadounidense. Asistió al MIT y enseñó en la Universidad de Harvard (1938–79). En 1940–42, al comprender que la medición física revelaba la estructura molecular mejor… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Woodward — Woodward, Robert B. * * * (as used in expressions) Administradores fiduciarios de Dartmouth College v. Woodward Woodward, C(omer) Vann Woodward, Robert B(urns) …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Burns — Burns, Robert * * * (as used in expressions) Burns, George Burns, Ken(neth Lauren) Burns, Robert Jesse Louis Burns Woodward, Robert B(urns) …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Detroit Financial District — U.S. National Register of Historic Places …   Wikipedia

  • Life Sciences — ▪ 2009 Introduction Zoology       In 2008 several zoological studies provided new insights into how species life history traits (such as the timing of reproduction or the length of life of adult individuals) are derived in part as responses to… …   Universalium

  • metalwork — metalworker, n. /met l werrk /, n. objects made of metal. [1840 50; METAL + WORK] * * * Useful and decorative objects fashioned of various metals. The oldest technique is hammering. After с 2500 BC, casting was also used, molten metal being… …   Universalium

  • Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi — Gandhi redirects here. For other uses, see Gandhi (disambiguation). Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi …   Wikipedia

  • Newington College — Latin: In Fide Scientiam ( To Our Faith Add Knowledge ) Location Stanmore, L …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”