Chemical Luminaries We Lost in 2017

The chemistry community lost several trailblazing chemists in 2017.

Credit: Chemical Heritage Foundation

RONALD BRESLOW

March 14, 1931–Oct. 25, 2017 .

Introduced the concept of antiaromaticity, founded the field of biomimetic chemistry, and developed artificial enzymes.

“He was an intellectual giant. Talking with Ronald about science was like a chess match—one where your opponent was always four moves ahead of you.” —Alanna Schepartz, Yale University

Credit： Inorganic Chemistry Teaching

Panwen Shen

Sep. 7, 1916 - Jul. 4, 2017

One of the longest running chemists in basic inorganic chemistry classes.

The first to carry out the metal hydride scientific research in China. 

Credit： Rare-earth Research

Qiang Su

Jul. 15, 1931 - Feb. 17, 2017

Contributed to the research on rare-earch resources and led the rare earth separation and purification technology in China to the world advanced level.

Credit： Bryce Vickmark

MILDRED DRESSELHAUS

Nov. 11, 1930–Feb. 20, 2017 

Pioneered research into condensed matter and the atomic properties of carbon.

“Millie is a giant in nanoscience through her groundbreaking work in carbon nanostructures and low-dimensional thermoelectrics. She has impacted the lives of many people at MIT and all over the world, including myself and many of my students, and she is MIT’s Yoda.” —Gang Chen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Credit： Naval Research Laboratory

ISABELLA KARLE

Dec. 2, 1921–Oct. 3, 2017 

Determined the structure of hundreds of biological molecules that helped revolutionize drug development.

“She solved one important structure after another. The range of molecules which people brought to her hoping for a crystal structure solution was notable. They were related to toxins, malaria and other medical maladies, carcinogens, and explosives to name only a few.” —Louis Massa, Hunter College

Credit： Mitch Jacoby/C&EN

GEORGE OLAH

May 22, 1927–March 8, 2017

Prepared carbocations with longer lifetimes, advanced and popularized the study of reactive intermediates and organic reaction mechanisms. Received the 1994 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

“George was a tireless promoter of science and technology, especially connected to energy independence. He used his scientific talents and excellent communication skills for the benefit of society.” —Gabor Somorjai, University of California, Berkeley

Credit: Columbia University

GILBERT STORK

Dec. 31, 1921–Oct. 21, 2017

Developed enamine chemistry, including the reaction now known as the Stork enamine alkylation.

“His synthetic achievements were driven by his uncanny ability to think mechanistically about reaction science. He saw, in the most simple and complex transformations, points of mechanism that most would miss. They became the basis for his amazing solutions to difficult problems.” —Paul Wender, Stanford University