William Standish Knowles Quotes
A collection of quotes by William Standish Knowles.
William Standish Knowles (June 1, 1917 - June 13, 2012) was an American chemist and Nobel laureate. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, and grew up in Massachusetts and Vermont. Knowles completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University in 1942.
Known for his significant contributions to catalytic asymmetric synthesis, Knowles’ groundbreaking research paved the way for the development of several critical pharmaceuticals. In particular, he focused on chirally catalyzed hydrogenation reactions, which allowed the production of chiral compounds essential for drug synthesis.
In 2001, Knowles was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with RyÅji Noyori and K. Barry Sharpless for their contributions to the development of chirally catalyzed hydrogenation reactions. This recognition highlighted his transformative impact on the field of organic chemistry.
Throughout his career, Knowles held positions at various research institutions, including the Monsanto Company and the Merck Research Laboratories. His work not only supported the development of drugs but also played a crucial role in advancing the understanding of chirality in chemical reactions.
William Standish Knowles passed away on June 13, 2012, but his pioneering work in asymmetric hydrogenation continues to have a lasting impact on the field of pharmaceutical chemistry.
