Georg Wittig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georg Wittig
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| Born | 16 June 1897 |
| Died | 26 August 1987 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | German |
| Alma mater | University of Marburg |
| Known for | Wittig reaction 1,2-Wittig rearrangement 2,3-Wittig rearrangement Directed ortho metalation Ate complex Hypervalent molecule Potassium tetraphenylborate |
| Awards | Otto Hahn Prize for Chemistry and Physics (1967) Paul Karrer Gold Medal (1972) Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1979) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
| Institutions | University of Marburg TU Braunschweig University of Freiburg University of Tübingen University of Heidelberg |
| Doctoral advisor | Karl von Auwers |
| Doctoral students | Werner Tochtermann, Ulrich Schöllkopf |
Georg Wittig (born June 16, 1897 – died August 26, 1987) was an important German chemist. He is famous for discovering a special way to make chemical compounds called alkenes. He did this using other compounds known as phosphonium ylides. This discovery is now called the Wittig reaction.
In 1979, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He shared this big award with Herbert C. Brown.
Contents
Life and Education
Georg Wittig was born in Berlin, Germany. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Kassel. His father was a professor at an art school there. Georg went to school in Kassel.
Starting Chemistry Studies
In 1916, he began studying chemistry at the University of Tübingen. However, his studies were interrupted. He was called to serve in the military. He became a lieutenant in the cavalry.
Prisoner of War and Return to Study
From 1918 to 1919, he was a prisoner of war. After his release, it was hard for him to go back to university. Many universities were very crowded. He wrote directly to Karl von Auwers, a chemistry professor. This helped him restart his studies at the University of Marburg. After three years, he earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry.
Beginning an Academic Career
Professor Auwers encouraged Wittig to become a university teacher and researcher. In 1926, Wittig completed his "habilitation." This is a special qualification needed to teach at German universities. During this time, he became good friends with Karl Ziegler, another famous chemist.
In 1931, Georg Wittig married Waltraud Ernst. She was also a chemist from his research group.
Teaching and Research Positions
In 1932, Wittig became a professor at the TU Braunschweig. Later, in 1937, he moved to the University of Freiburg. Here, he started important work on "carbanion chemistry." This area of chemistry deals with molecules that have a negative charge on a carbon atom.
In 1944, he became the head of the organic chemistry department at the University of Tübingen. Most of his major discoveries happened during his time here. This includes the development of the famous Wittig reaction.
Later Years and Nobel Prize
In 1956, when he was almost 60, Wittig moved to the University of Heidelberg. He became the head of the organic chemistry department there. He continued his research even after he officially retired in 1967. He published scientific papers until 1980. Many of his awards, including the Nobel Prize, were given to him during his time at Heidelberg.
Scientific Discoveries
Georg Wittig is best known for the Wittig reaction. This reaction helps chemists create alkenes. Alkenes are a type of organic compound with a carbon-carbon double bond. He used special compounds called phosphonium ylides to make this happen.
Other Important Work
Wittig also made other important contributions to chemistry. He helped prepare a compound called phenyllithium. He also discovered two other important chemical reactions: the 1,2-Wittig rearrangement and the 2,3-Wittig rearrangement. These reactions help chemists change the structure of molecules.
Wittig was known for being a great experimenter. He was very good at observing how chemical reactions happened. He focused on making new compounds and understanding how they behaved.
