Paul von Ragué Schleyer

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Paul schleyer

Paul von Ragué Schleyer (February 27, 1930 – November 21, 2014) was an American chemist known for his contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He was particularly noted for his work on carbocations, computational chemistry, and the development of new theoretical methods.

Early Life and Education

Paul von Ragué Schleyer was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Princeton University, where he earned his B.A. in 1951. He then pursued his Ph.D. at Harvard University under the supervision of Paul D. Bartlett, completing it in 1957.

Academic Career

Schleyer began his academic career at Princeton University, where he served as a faculty member from 1954 to 1976. During this period, he made significant contributions to the understanding of carbocations and their role in organic reactions. In 1976, he moved to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, where he continued his research and became a prominent figure in the field of computational chemistry.

Research Contributions

Schleyer's research spanned several areas of chemistry, including:

• Carbocations: Schleyer conducted pioneering work on the structure and stability of carbocations, which are positively charged carbon species. His studies provided insights into the nature of these intermediates and their role in organic reactions.
• Computational Chemistry: Schleyer was a leader in the application of computational methods to solve chemical problems. He developed new theoretical approaches and computational techniques that have become standard tools in the field.
• Theoretical Chemistry: Schleyer contributed to the development of new theories and models to explain chemical phenomena. His work in this area has had a lasting impact on the understanding of chemical reactivity and molecular structure.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Schleyer received numerous awards and honors, including:

• The American Chemical Society's James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry
• The Royal Society of Chemistry's Hughes Medal
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences

Personal Life

Schleyer was married and had three children. He passed away on November 21, 2014, in Athens, Georgia.

Legacy

Paul von Ragué Schleyer is remembered as a pioneering chemist whose work has had a profound impact on the fields of organic chemistry and computational chemistry. His contributions continue to influence research and education in these areas.

See Also

• Carbocation
• Computational chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Theoretical chemistry