William Standish Knowles

William Standish Knowles (June 1, 1917 – June 13, 2012) was an American chemist who shared half of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001 with Ryoji Noyori for their work on the development of the process of asymmetric hydrogenation, which is a method used in the production of certain kinds of pharmaceuticals and other chemical compounds. The other half of the prize was awarded to K. Barry Sharpless for his work on oxidation reactions. Knowles's contribution to chemistry, particularly in the field of organic chemistry, has had a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry, enabling the cost-effective production of important drugs.

Early Life and Education

William S. Knowles was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, and grew up in a family with a strong emphasis on education. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1939. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in chemistry from Columbia University in 1942, where he worked under the guidance of Louis Fieser, a renowned organic chemist known for his work on vitamin K and napalm.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Knowles began his career in the chemical industry, initially working for the Monsanto Company in 1942. It was here that he embarked on the research that would eventually lead to his Nobel Prize-winning work. His early work at Monsanto involved the synthesis of steroids and alkaloids, which are compounds often used in pharmaceuticals.

In the 1960s, Knowles and his team at Monsanto developed a process for asymmetric hydrogenation, a method that allows for the selective production of one enantiomer over another in chemical reactions. This was a significant breakthrough because many drugs need to be produced in a specific enantiomeric form to be effective and safe. The process developed by Knowles made it possible to produce these enantiomerically pure compounds in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.

Nobel Prize

In 2001, William S. Knowles was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with Ryoji Noyori and K. Barry Sharpless, for their work on chirally catalyzed hydrogenation reactions. Knowles's part of the prize was specifically for his development of the process of asymmetric hydrogenation. This award recognized their contributions to the field of chemistry and their impact on the pharmaceutical industry, making the production of certain drugs more accessible and affordable.

Legacy

William S. Knowles's work has had a lasting impact on the field of chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry. His development of asymmetric hydrogenation has been fundamental in the production of a wide range of pharmaceuticals, making treatments more effective and less expensive. Knowles's research has paved the way for further advancements in the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the synthesis of complex molecules.

Death

William S. Knowles passed away on June 13, 2012, at the age of 95. His contributions to chemistry, especially in the area of asymmetric synthesis, continue to influence the field and the production of pharmaceuticals.