Week 21

Week 21: May 21 – 27 (Archive)

• Bengt I. Samuelsson, born 1934, co clarified biochemical processes by which various prostaglandins are formed and metabolized; Nobel Prize in Medicine (1982).
• Gunter Blobel, born 1936, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1999).

• Herbert C. Brown, born 1912, researcher in organoboron and carbocation chemistry; Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1979).
• George A. Olah, born 1927, researcher in carbocations and their role in chemical reactions of hydrocarbons; Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1994).

• Edgar Fahs Smith, born 1854, researcher in electrochemistry and history of chemistry; three times President of American Chemical Society.

• John Mayow, born in 1640, discovered air contained two gases, one supported life and combustion, spiritus nitro-aerous (oxygen).
• Gabriel D. Fahrenheit, born 1686; in 1720, improved thermometers by using mercury (Hg, 80); invented Fahrenheit temperature scale.
• Aaron Dexter appointed first professor of chemistry and material medica at newly organized Harvard Medical School in 1783.

• Pieter Zeeman, born 1865, studied influence of magnetism on the nature of radiation; discovered splitting of spectral lines (Zeeman Effect), Nobel Prize in Physics (1902).
• Paul J. Scheuer, born 1915, considered the father of marine natural products chemistry.

• Helen Marie Dyer, born 1895, researched chemotherapy; American Chemical Society's Garvan Medal (1962).

• Lars F. Nilson, born 1840; in 1879, discovered scandium (Sc, 21).
• Theodor Curtius, born 1857, researched chemistry of hydrazines and azaides; Curtius rearrangement named in his honor.
• Kasimir Fajans, born 1887, established radioactive displacement law; initiated concept of heat of hydration of gaseous ions.
• John C. Bailar, Jr., born 1904, discovered optical inversion; explained stereospecificity in complex inorganic reactions.
• Mary Fieser, born 1909, researched quinones, natural products, and steroids; coauthored many textbooks on organic chemistry.