Giulio Natta

Giulio Natta with wife 1960s2

Giulio Natta (February 26, 1903 – May 2, 1979) was an influential Italian chemist, primarily known for his work in the field of polymer chemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963, alongside Karl Ziegler, for their research on the technology of high polymers. Natta's most notable contribution was the development of polypropylene and the discovery of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

Early Life and Education

Giulio Natta was born in Imperia, Italy. He pursued his higher education in chemical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he graduated in 1924. Natta continued his academic career, focusing on physical chemistry, and obtained his doctorate in 1927.

Career

After completing his education, Natta held various academic positions. He worked as a professor of general chemistry at the University of Pavia, the Polytechnic University of Turin, and finally, at the Polytechnic University of Milan, where he spent a significant part of his career.

In the 1950s, Natta began his pioneering work on polymers. Collaborating with the German chemist Karl Ziegler, Natta developed the Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a chemical catalyst used to produce polyethylene and polypropylene with high molecular weight and stereoregularity. This breakthrough allowed for the creation of plastics with specific and predictable properties, revolutionizing the plastics industry.

Major Contributions

Giulio Natta's research significantly advanced the field of polymer chemistry. His work on the synthesis of polymers with a regular structure, particularly isotactic polypropylene, was groundbreaking. Isotactic polypropylene has a high degree of crystallinity, which results in materials that are more durable and have a higher melting point compared to those produced by earlier methods.

Natta's development of the Ziegler-Natta catalysts enabled the production of stereospecific polymers. These catalysts are still used today in the synthesis of various polymers, making Natta's work foundational in modern polymer science and industrial applications.

Awards and Honors

For his contributions to chemistry, Giulio Natta received numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963. His work has had a lasting impact on both academic research and the commercial production of plastics.

Legacy

Giulio Natta's legacy is evident in the widespread use of polypropylene and other polymers in everyday products. His research has paved the way for further innovations in polymer science, including the development of new materials and the exploration of sustainable synthetic methods.

Natta passed away in Bergamo, Italy, in 1979, but his contributions to science continue to influence the fields of chemistry and materials science.

See Also

• Polymer chemistry
• Ziegler-Natta catalyst
• Polypropylene
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry