Richard Willstätter

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German organic chemist

Richard Willstätter

Born	August 13, 1872
Birth place	Karlsruhe, German Empire
Died	August 3, 1942
Place of death	Muralto, Switzerland
Nationality	German
Known for	Chlorophyll research
Awards	Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1915)

Richard Martin Willstätter (August 13, 1872 – August 3, 1942) was a German organic chemist whose study of the structure of chlorophyll and other plant pigments won him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1915.

Early life and education

Willstätter was born in Karlsruhe, German Empire. He studied at the University of Munich, where he worked under the guidance of Adolf von Baeyer. He received his Ph.D. in 1894 for his research on the structure of cocaine.

Academic career

After completing his doctorate, Willstätter continued his research at the University of Munich, where he became a professor in 1905. In 1912, he moved to the ETH Zurich in Switzerland, and in 1916, he returned to Germany to take a position at the University of Munich.

Research and discoveries

Willstätter is best known for his work on the structure of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants that is essential for photosynthesis. His research demonstrated that chlorophyll is a porphyrin compound, similar in structure to hemoglobin in blood. This discovery was crucial in understanding the chemical processes of photosynthesis.

In addition to his work on chlorophyll, Willstätter also studied other plant pigments, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins. His research contributed significantly to the field of biochemistry and the understanding of plant physiology.

Nobel Prize

In 1915, Willstätter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on plant pigments, particularly chlorophyll. His work laid the foundation for future studies in photosynthesis and plant biochemistry.

Later life and legacy

Willstätter's career was affected by the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany. As a Jewish scientist, he faced increasing persecution and was forced to retire in 1939. He emigrated to Switzerland, where he lived until his death in 1942.

Willstätter's contributions to chemistry, particularly his work on chlorophyll and plant pigments, have had a lasting impact on the field. His research has been fundamental in advancing our understanding of the chemical processes in plants.

Related pages

• Chlorophyll
• Photosynthesis
• Porphyrin
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Adolf von Baeyer
• Hans Fischer