Robert H. Grubbs life and biography

For his breakthrough in metathesis, American chemist Robert H. Grubbs was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005. His honors were shared with Yves Chauvin and Richard R. Schrock.

Metathesis is a chemical reaction in which atom groups break away and reform, "switching partners". It is used in organic chemistry and pharmaceutical research, and Grubbs' work has led to more efficient, simpler and more environmentally benign ways to synthesize medicines and plastics.

Grubbs's many awards have included: Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (1974-76), Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (1975-78), Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (1975), ACS Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry (2000), ACS Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award (2000), ACS Herbert C. Brown Award for Creative Research in Synthetic Methods (2001), the Tolman Medal (2002), and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2005). He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1989 and a fellowship in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994.

Grubbs received the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with Richard R. Schrock and Yves Chauvin, for his work in the field of olefin metathesis.

Awards and honors:

American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Chemical Society
EMILY's List
National Academy of Sciences
Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee
Science Debate 2008
Benjamin Franklin Medal 2000 (by the Franklin Institute)
Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2005 (with Yves Chauvin and Richard R. Schrock)

Read more