Structures and mechanisms in chemical reactions: George A. Olah’s life-long search of chemistry

The Hungarian-born American chemistry Nobel laureate George A. Olah used superacids to give longer life to carbocations. He resolved a long-standing debate on reaction mechanism in organic chemistry and, more importantly, opened new vistas in hydrocarbon chemistry to produce hosts of new compounds. The concerted utilization of organic synthesis, physical techniques, and computational methods led to spectacular achievements in hydrocarbon chemistry. Olah has always been on the lookout for the practical applications of his discoveries in fundamental chemistry. He continued his research after his Nobel award and has worked out the idea, which he labeled “the methanol economy.” Olah’s example shows that a great researcher can also be a devoted and caring human being.     

Donald L.D. Caspar (1927–2021)—pioneer of virus structures

Structural Chemistry - Donald L.D. Caspar (1927–2021) devoted his career to understanding the structure of viruses. He interacted with leading structural scientists of his time and...     

Professor Eduardo F. A. Neves (1933–2006)

Abstract

The present note deals with the optimization of the combustion of organic materials to CO₂ in Pyrex and quartz tubes. The influence of temperature and oxidant on the combustion yield was investigated. Different physical forms of CuO and a CuO/MnO₂-mixture were used as oxidants. Possible isotopic effects during combustion were tested by gas isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GIRMS) of the CO₂. Excellent results were obtained for combustion in Pyrex at 530 °C using CuO rods mixed with 20% MnO₂ as oxidant. The stable isotope results for CO₂ prepared with this method were accurate and showed a very good precision of 0.030 %. Applications for which quantitative combustion is a necessity, we suggest the use of CuO powder (< 100 μm) as oxidant and a combustion temperature of 850 °C.     

George C. Pimentel (1922–1989): A Retrospective Personal and Pictorial Tribute a Decade after His Death

Ever since receiving the 1993 ACS Pimentel Award in Chemical Education (Figure 1), I have been interested in the life and achievements of the Fresno-born, larger-than-life figure after whom the award was named. The year 1999 provides an especially appropriate occasion to recall Pimentels personal and professional career, for it is the tenth anniversary not only of his death but also of National Chemistry Week, the expanded form of National Chemistry Day, the popular American Chemical Society outreach program that he originated.     

Frederick George Donnan (1870–1956).

Ohne Zusammenfassung