Jean-Pierre Sauvage

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Jean-Pierre Sauvage (21 October 1944 – ) is a French supramolecular chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016. He shares the prize with Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. Sauvage's contribution to the field was pivotal in the development of molecules with controllable movements, which can perform tasks when energy is added.

Early Life and Education

Jean-Pierre Sauvage was born in Paris, France. He pursued his undergraduate studies in Strasbourg, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in 1971 under the supervision of Jean-Marie Lehn, a Nobel Laureate himself. His doctoral work focused on the synthesis of cryptands, which are compounds capable of selectively binding ions.

Career and Research

After completing his Ph.D., Sauvage continued his research in Strasbourg at the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), where he has spent the majority of his academic career. His research interests have been primarily in the area of supramolecular chemistry, a field that studies the complex interactions between molecules.

In 1983, Sauvage made a significant breakthrough by successfully synthesizing a catenane - a molecule consisting of two interlocked rings. This was achieved by utilizing a copper(I) ion to template the formation of the interlocked rings, a method that was innovative at the time. This work laid the foundation for the development of molecular machines, as it demonstrated the possibility of mechanically interlocking molecules without covalent bonds.

Sauvage's research has since expanded to include other mechanically interlocked molecular architectures such as rotaxanes, molecular knots, and molecular motors. These molecules have potential applications in the development of nanoscale machines and devices, such as molecular elevators, muscles, and motors.

Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 was awarded jointly to Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, and Bernard L. Feringa "for the design and synthesis of molecular machines." Sauvage's contribution was recognized as the first step towards the creation of molecular machines, with his work on catenanes demonstrating how to obtain controlled movements from these structures.

Legacy and Impact

Jean-Pierre Sauvage's work has had a profound impact on the field of chemistry, particularly in the areas of supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology. His pioneering work on catenanes and rotaxanes has opened up new avenues for the development of molecular machines, which could have wide-ranging applications in various fields, including medicine, materials science, and electronics.

Selected Publications

Sauvage has authored numerous publications in prestigious scientific journals. Some of his most cited works include papers on the synthesis of catenanes and rotaxanes, as well as reviews on molecular machines.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Jean-Pierre Sauvage has received several other awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his contributions to chemistry and science. These include the CNRS Gold Medal, one of France's highest scientific distinctions.

See Also

• Supramolecular chemistry
• Molecular machine
• Catenane
• Rotaxane
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry