Günther Wilke
Günther Wilke | |
---|---|
Born | 1925 (age 90–91) |
Nationality | German |
Fields | inorganic chemistry |
Institutions | Max Planck Institute for Coal Research |
Known for | Organo-Nickel Chemistry |
Notable awards |
Willard Gibbs Award (1991) Wilhelm Exner Medal (1980).[1] |
Günther Wilke is a German chemist who was influential in organometallic chemistry. He was the director of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung) from 1967–1992, succeeding Karl Ziegler in that post.[2] During Wilke’s era, the MPI made several discoveries and achieved some financial independence from patents and a gift from the Ziegler family. The institute continued as a center of excellence in organometallic chemistry.
Wilke’s own area of interest focused on homogeneous catalysis by nickel complexes. His group discovered or developed several compounds including Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)2, Ni(allyl)2, Ni(C2H4)3. Some of these complexes are useful catalysts for the oligomerization of dienes.[3]
Honours and awards
- Seven honorary doctorates
- corresponding member of the math and science class abroad
- Wilhelm Exner Medal in 1980.[1]
- Former Vice President of the Max Planck Society (1978-1990)
- Member of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science (President 1994-1997)
- Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Halle
- Member of the Academia Europaea
- Foreign member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (1977)[4]
- Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
- President of the German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker)
- Chairman of the Society of German Scientists and Physicians
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1987)
References
- 1 2 Editor, ÖGV. (2015). Wilhelm Exner Medal. Austrian Trade Association. ÖGV. Austria.
- ↑ {http://www.kofo.mpg.de/de/institut/geschichte History of the Max-Planck-Institure (German)]
- ↑ Wilke, G. (1988). "Contributions to Organo-Nickel Chemistry". Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English. 27: 185–206. doi:10.1002/anie.198801851.
- ↑ "G.W. Wilke". Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
See also: http://www.mpi-muelheim.mpg.de/kofo/english/institut/geschichte_e.html