Georg Wittig

Georg_Wittig

German chemist

Georg Wittig

Born	June 16, 1897
Birth place	Berlin, Germany
Died	August 26, 1987
Place of death	Heidelberg, Germany
Nationality	German
Known for	Wittig reaction
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1979)

Georg Wittig (June 16, 1897 – August 26, 1987) was a German chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1979 for his development of the Wittig reaction, a method used in organic chemistry to synthesize alkenes from carbonyl compounds.

Early Life and Education

Georg Wittig was born in Berlin, Germany, on June 16, 1897. He studied at the University of Marburg, where he completed his PhD under the supervision of Karl von Auwers.

Academic Career

Wittig began his academic career at the University of Freiburg, where he worked as a lecturer. He later moved to the University of Tübingen and eventually to the University of Heidelberg, where he spent the majority of his career.

Research and Contributions

Wittig is best known for the Wittig reaction, which he developed in 1954. This reaction involves the use of phosphonium ylides to convert carbonyl compounds into alkenes. The Wittig reaction has become a fundamental tool in organic synthesis.

Awards and Honors

In 1979, Wittig was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the Wittig reaction. He shared the prize with Herbert C. Brown, who was recognized for his work on organoboranes.

Personal Life

Georg Wittig was married and had children. He passed away on August 26, 1987, in Heidelberg, Germany.

Related Pages

• Wittig reaction
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• University of Heidelberg
• Organic chemistry
• Phosphonium ylide
• Alkene
• Carbonyl compound