Herbert C. Brown
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Herbert Charles Brown (May 22, 1912 – December 19, 2004) was a chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1979 (along with Georg Wittig) for his work with organoboranes.
Brown was born Herbert Brovarnik in London to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. He moved to the United States at a young age and was educated at the University of Chicago, earning a B.S. and Ph.D. in 1936 and 1938, respectively. He became professor at Purdue University in 1947 and joined Alpha Chi Sigma there in 1949. He held the position of emeritus until his death. The Herbert C. Brown Laboratory of Chemistry was named for him on Purdue University's campus.
During World War II, while working with Hermann Irving Schlesinger, Brown discovered a method for producing sodium borohydride (NaBH4), which can be used to produce boranes, compounds of boron and hydrogen. His work led to the discovery of the first general method for producing asymmetric pure enantiomers. The elements found as initials of his name H, C and B were his working field.
Brown was quick to credit his wife Sarah with supporting him and allowing him to focus on creative efforts by handling finances, maintaining the house and yard, etc. According to Brown, after receiving the Nobel prize in Stockholm, he carried the Medal and she carried the $100,000 award.
He died December 19, 2004, at a hospital in Lafayette, Indiana after a heart attack. Surviving are his son and his granddaughters.
[edit] External links
- Brown's autobiography at NobelPrize.org (from Les Prix Nobel, 1979)
- Article by Brown about the Nobel Prize (first published in The Scientist on November 16, 1987; subscription required)
- Chemical & Engineering News report of Brown's obituary [1]
- Brown's obituary in USA Today
