Elias James Corey

Elias James Corey (born July 12, 1928) is an American organic chemist. In 1990, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his development of the theory and methodology of organic synthesis, particularly for his work on the retrosynthetic analysis. Corey's contributions to the field of organic chemistry have had a profound impact on how pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products are synthesized.

Early Life and Education

Elias James Corey was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, to Christian Lebanese immigrants. He developed an interest in chemistry at a young age, which was further nurtured by his high school chemistry teacher. Corey pursued his undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he received his B.S. in 1948. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry from MIT in 1951, under the guidance of Professor John C. Sheehan.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Corey joined the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign as an Assistant Professor. In 1959, he moved to Harvard University, where he has spent the majority of his academic career. Over the years, Corey has made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, with a particular focus on the development of new methodologies for organic synthesis.

One of Corey's most notable contributions is the development of retrosynthetic analysis, a strategy for planning the synthesis of complex organic molecules. This approach involves breaking down a complex molecule into simpler precursor structures until commercially available or easily synthesized compounds are identified. Retrosynthetic analysis has become a fundamental tool in the planning of organic syntheses, both in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Corey has also developed numerous reagents and reactions that bear his name, including the Corey-Bakshi-Shibata (CBS) reagent, the Corey-Fuchs reaction, and the Corey-Kim oxidation. These tools have expanded the repertoire of reactions available to organic chemists and have been widely adopted in synthetic organic chemistry.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Corey has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Priestley Medal, the highest honor awarded by the American Chemical Society, and the National Medal of Science. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Legacy

Elias James Corey's work has had a lasting impact on the field of organic chemistry. His development of retrosynthetic analysis and his contributions to the synthesis of complex organic molecules have revolutionized the way chemists approach the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Corey's methodologies and reagents continue to be used widely in research and industrial settings, underscoring his lasting legacy in the field.

Selected Publications

Corey has authored over 1,000 scientific publications, including several books on organic synthesis. Some of his most influential works include:

• The Logic of Chemical Synthesis
• Molecules and Medicine
• Enantioselective Chemical Synthesis

See Also

• Organic synthesis
• Retrosynthetic analysis
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Chemical synthesis