Robert Burns Woodward
American organic chemist and Nobel laureate in synthesis.
Robert Burns Woodward was an American organic chemist, widely regarded as the preeminent synthetic organic chemist of the twentieth century. He made key contributions to the synthesis of complex natural products and the determination of their molecular structure, and received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1965 for his outstanding achievements in the art of organic synthesis.
- born
- April 10, 1917, Boston, Massachusetts
- died
- July 8, 1979
- field
- Organic chemistry
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Synthesis of complex natural products, Woodward's rules, work on the Diels–Alder
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
His father died in the 1918 influenza pandemic. In 1928, he contacted the German consulate to obtain original papers, including Diels and Alder's communication on the Diels–Alder reaction, which he later used extensively.
Reader's Guide
Woodward's first major contribution was a series of papers in the early 1940s applying ultraviolet spectroscopy to natural product structure elucidation, leading to Woodward's rules. He synthesized many complex natural products including cholesterol, cortisone, strychnine, lysergic acid, reserpine, chlorophyll, cephalosporin, and colchicine, opening the 'Woodwardian era' of synthesis. He used infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and pioneered stereoselective synthesis. He also determined structures of santonic acid, strychnine, magnamycin, and terramycin.
Did You Know?
- Woodward's father died in the 1918 influenza pandemic.
- In 1928, he contacted the German consulate to obtain original papers, including Diels and Alder's communication on the Diels–Alder reaction.
- He entered MIT in 1933 but was excluded for neglecting formal studies; readmitted in 1935, he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1936 and a doctorate in 1937.
- In 1944, with William von Eggers Doering, he synthesized quinine, a landmark showing organic synthesis could be rational.
- In the early 1950s, with Geoffrey Wilkinson, he postulated the structure of ferrocene, beginning transition metal organometallic chemistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robert Burns Woodward?
He was an American organic chemist born in Boston in 1917 and is broadly considered the greatest synthetic organic chemist of the twentieth century. He died in 1979, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped how chemists build and analyze complex molecules.
What is Robert Burns Woodward most famous for?
His landmark total syntheses of intricate natural products and the formulation of Woodward's rules for assigning molecular structure stand as his signature contributions. He also made influential advances in understanding the Diels–Alder reaction.
What major award did Robert Burns Woodward receive?
In 1965 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, honoring his exceptional skill and creativity in the craft of organic synthesis.
Why is Robert Burns Woodward important to the field of chemistry?
He demonstrated that the most architecturally complex natural molecules could be constructed atom-by-atom in the lab, raising the ceiling of what synthetic organic chemistry could achieve. His structural-elucidation techniques, especially Woodward's rules, remain standard reference tools for chemists today.
What was Robert Burns Woodward's nationality and primary field?
He was American, born in Boston, Massachusetts, and his entire career was devoted to organic chemistry, with a particular focus on building complex natural products and determining their three-dimensional structures.
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