Geoffrey Wilkinson

Geoffrey_Wilkinson_ca._1976

Wilkinson's-catalyst-no-hydrogens-3D-balls

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British chemist

Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson

Birth date	14 July 1921
Birth place	Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England
Died	26 September 1996 (aged 75)
Place of death	London, England
Nationality	British
Known for	Wilkinson's catalyst, Organometallic chemistry
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1973)

Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson (14 July 1921 – 26 September 1996) was a British chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1973 for his work on organometallic chemistry and the development of Wilkinson's catalyst. He was a prominent figure in the field of inorganic chemistry and made significant contributions to the understanding of transition metal complexes.

Early Life and Education

Geoffrey Wilkinson was born in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. He attended the local Todmorden Grammar School before winning a scholarship to study at the University of London. He completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry and went on to earn his PhD under the supervision of Henry Taube.

Career

After completing his PhD, Wilkinson worked at various institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. In 1956, he joined the faculty at Imperial College London, where he spent the remainder of his career.

Research

Wilkinson is best known for his work on organometallic chemistry, particularly the development of Wilkinson's catalyst, a homogeneous catalyst used in the hydrogenation of alkenes. His research significantly advanced the understanding of transition metal complexes and their applications in catalysis.

Awards and Honors

In 1973, Wilkinson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Ernst Otto Fischer for their pioneering work on the chemistry of organometallic compounds. He was also knighted in 1976 for his contributions to science.

Personal Life

Wilkinson was married and had two children. He passed away on 26 September 1996 in London, England.

Legacy

Wilkinson's work has had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of organometallic chemistry and catalysis. Wilkinson's catalyst remains a widely used reagent in organic synthesis.

Related Pages

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Organometallic chemistry
• Wilkinson's catalyst
• Transition metal
• Catalysis
• Imperial College London

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