 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
 |
 |
Biography of Otto Paul Hermann DielsName: Otto Paul Hermann DielsBirth Date: January 23, 1876 Death Date: March 7, 1954 Place of Birth: Hamburg, Germany Nationality: German Gender: Male Occupations: chemist, professor Otto Paul Hermann Diels The German organic chemist Otto Paul Hermann Diels (1876-1954) discovered a technique of atomic combination which led to the synthesis of an important group of organic compounds.Hermann Diels was born in Hamburg on Jan. 23, 1876. After studying chemistry at the University of Berlin he was awarded a doctoral degree in 1899. In that year he joined the faculty as assistant professor and became associate professor in 1914. He became professor of chemistry at the University of Kiel in 1916 and held this position until his retirement in 1948.In his early work at Berlin, Diels discovered carbon suboxide (1906) and investigated its properties. The compound was important because of its high degree of reactivity and because its chemical structure provided important information as to the composition of other oxides of the carbon atom. However, Diels's most important work was done at Kiel, where he was assisted by Kurt Alder. Together they were able to work out …showed first 150 words…
…showed last 150 words…cholesterol and bile acids, and the degradation products involved in dehydrogenation brought about by the use of the metal selenium.Although the new organic products for which Diels was so much responsible may have produced benefits for mankind, it should not be forgotten that one of the most important parts of his research was a new insight into chemical combination and molecular structure. In 1950, in recognition of his many contributions to chemical science, Diels, together with Alder, was awarded the Nobel Prize. Diels died at Kiel on March 7, 1954. Further Reading There is virtually nothing in English on the life of Diels. However, for discussions of his scientific achievements, the reader should consult Eduard Farber, Nobel Prize Winners in Chemistry, 1901-1961 (1953; rev. ed. 1963); Aaron J. Ihde, The Development of Modern Chemistry (1964); Nobel Foundation, Chemistry: Nobel Lectures, Including Presentation Speeches and Laureates' Biographies, vol. 3 (1964); and James R. Partington, A History of Chemistry, vol. 4 (1964). |