Leopold Ružička

Leopold Ružička (13 September 1887 – 26 September 1976) was a Croatian-Swiss scientist who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the study of terpenes and the structure of steroids. His work laid the foundation for the synthesis of sex hormones, earning him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939 alongside Adolf Butenandt for their work on polymethylenes and higher terpenes. Ružička's research had a profound impact on both chemistry and biochemistry, influencing the development of synthetic hormones and new methods in organic synthesis.

Early Life and Education

Leopold Ružička was born in Vukovar, a town in what is now Croatia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He showed an early interest in science and pursued his education in chemistry at the Technical University in Karlsruhe, Germany, where he received his doctorate in 1910. His doctoral work focused on the chemistry of natural substances, a field that would dominate his career.

Career and Research

After completing his doctorate, Ružička held several academic positions across Europe. In 1916, he moved to Switzerland, where he joined the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. It was here that Ružička began his groundbreaking work on the structure and synthesis of organic compounds, particularly terpenes and steroids.

Ružička's research into the isoprene rule, which describes the biosynthesis of terpenes, was particularly noteworthy. He demonstrated that terpenes are built up from isoprene units, a discovery that revolutionized the understanding of the structure of these complex molecules. This work was crucial in the synthesis of vitamin A and later contributed to the synthesis of sex hormones, including testosterone and progesterone.

In 1939, Ružička was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his investigations of the structure of sterols and their connection with vitamins. This accolade recognized his contributions to organic chemistry and the significant impact of his research on medicine and biochemistry.

Later Years and Legacy

After receiving the Nobel Prize, Ružička continued his research at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He became a Swiss citizen in 1938 and remained active in scientific research until his retirement in 1957. Ružička's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and biochemistry, influencing the development of synthetic hormones and new synthetic methods.

Ružička was also known for his mentorship of young scientists, many of whom went on to have distinguished careers in chemistry. His legacy is preserved through the Leopold Ružička Award, established by the Swiss Chemical Society, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

Selected Publications

Ružička's prolific career resulted in over 400 scientific publications. Some of his most notable works include:

• "The Isoprene Rule and the Biogenesis of Terpenic Compounds" (1953)
• "Stereochemistry of Steroids" (1938)

See Also

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Steroids
• Terpenes