Herbert C. Brown

Herbert C. Brown (May 22, 1912 – December 19, 2004) was an American chemist and Nobel Laureate recognized for his pioneering work in the field of organoboron chemistry. His research significantly advanced the understanding and application of boron-containing compounds in organic synthesis.

Early Life and Education

Herbert Charles Brown was born Herbert Brovarnik in London, England, to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. In 1914, his family moved to the United States, settling in Chicago, Illinois. Brown attended Crane Junior College and later transferred to the University of Chicago, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1936 and his Ph.D. in 1938 under the supervision of Hermann Irving Schlesinger.

Career and Research

After completing his doctorate, Brown joined the faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he began his groundbreaking research on boron hydrides. In 1947, he moved to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his career.

Brown's most notable contributions to chemistry include the development of hydroboration, a reaction that adds boron and hydrogen across carbon-carbon multiple bonds. This reaction has become a fundamental tool in organic synthesis, allowing for the creation of complex molecules with high precision.

Nobel Prize

In 1979, Herbert C. Brown was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Georg Wittig for their development of the use of boron- and phosphorus-containing compounds, respectively, into important reagents in organic synthesis. Brown's work on organoboron compounds has had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry, influencing both academic research and industrial applications.

Personal Life

Brown married Sarah Baylen in 1937, and they had one son, Charles. Brown was known for his dedication to his research and his students, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in chemistry.

Legacy

Herbert C. Brown's contributions to chemistry are commemorated through various awards and honors, including the establishment of the Herbert C. Brown Award for Creative Research in Synthetic Methods by the American Chemical Society. His work continues to inspire chemists around the world.

Selected Publications

• Brown, H. C. (1959). Hydroboration. W.A. Benjamin.
• Brown, H. C. (1975). Organic Syntheses via Boranes. Wiley-Interscience.

See Also

• Organoboron chemistry
• Hydroboration
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Purdue University

External Links

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