FIVE SCIENTISTS WIN NOBEL PRIZES - Chemical & Engineering

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The Chemical World This Week

FIVE SCIENTISTS WIN NOBEL PRIZES "Pioneering work, performed independently, on the chemistry of the organometallic so-called sandwich compounds" has earned the 1973 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for two inorganic chemists, Dr. Ernst 0 . Fischer, 55, of the Technical University of Munich, West Germany, and Dr. Geoffrey Wilkinson, 52, of Imperial College, London, U.K. More nearly practitioners of basic "chemistry for chemists" than many recent biologically or physically oriented Nobel Laureates in chemistry, the two scientists will each receive a gold Nobel Medal, a diploma, and half of some $120,000 at award ceremonies in Stockholm on Dec. 10. The Royal Swedish Academy of Two in chemistry

Fischer

Three in physics

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Wilkinson

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Giaever

Esaki

Josephson 2

C&ENOct. 29, 1973

Sciences also announced last week that this year's Nobel Prize in Physics will be given to Dr. Leo Esaki (a Japanese citizen) of International Business Machines' research center at Yorktown Heights, N.Y., Dr. Ivar Giaever of General Electric's labs in Schenectady, N.Y., and Dr. Brian D. Josephson of the University of Cambridge, U.K. Dr. Esaki, 48, and Dr. Giaever, 44, are cited "for their experimental discoveries regarding tunneling phenomena in semiconductors and superconductors, respectively," while Dr. Josephson, 33— one of the youngest Nobel Laureates ever—is recognized "for his theoretical predictions of the properties of a supercurrent through a tunnel barrier, in particular those phenomena which are generally known as the Josephson effects." The awards to Dr. Fischer and Dr. Wilkinson continue the preeminence of Germany and the U.K. in Nobel Prizes in Chemistry. East and West Germany (23 prizes), the U.K. (19), and the U.S. (19) together have won 72% of the 85 chemistry prizes since 1901. The work of the two Nobel Laureates has been "instrumental in bringing a whole new field of chemistry into being—transition metal organic chemistry, the chemistry of pi-complexed transition metal organic compounds," notes Dr. Dietmar Seyferth of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a specialist in organometallic chemistry. "These two are giants in the field and so certainly deserve the Nobel Prize," adds Dr. Marvin D. Rausch of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dr. Fischer and Dr. Wilkinson began research on organic ring systems coordinated to metals via pi bonds in 1952. An organoiron compound, Fe(CioHio) had been prepared by two other research groups. It was the most stable transitionmetal organometallic compound ever reported and its structure could not be explained by ordinary sigma bonds. Working independently, Dr. Fischer used x-ray crystallography and Dr. Wilkinson employed infrared spectroscopy and other chemical and physical data to establish that the compound— called ferrocene (biscyclopentadienyl-iron)—consists of sandwichlike molecules, with the iron atom lying

between two parallel cyclopentadiene rings. In the wake of ferrocene, they and other scientists soon prepared compounds containing nickel, cobalt, and other metals, including cyclopentadienyl derivatives of many main group metals. There already are several practical applications of their seminal research, including unusual catalysts and possible replacements for tetraethyl lead in antiknock additives. Dr. Fischer recently has been working on carbene compounds complexed to transition metals. This past summer, he disclosed another breakthrough—preparation and characterization of the first transition metal carbyne compound. Dr. Wilkinson is concentrating on homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts and development of thermally stable transition metal alky Is. A member of the American Chemical Society since 1943, he began research on ferrocene compounds while an assistant professor at Harvard University but failed to receive tenure there and returned to England. He is coauthor with Dr. Frank A. Cotton of Texas A&M of a leading textbook, "Advanced Inorganic Chemistry."

Solid growth for chemicals in 1974 The U.S. chemical industry will rack up another year of solid growth in 1974, although the pace will be distinctly slower than during this year or last. Shipments of chemicals and allied products, according to Commerce Department business analysts, will climb 8% next year to $68.2 billion. That doesn't match the 10% rise that government forecasters look for this year or the 11% gain tallied in 1972. But it's comfortably ahead of the 7% annual growth rate by which the industry's shipments have expanded during the past six years, Commerce's annual "Industrial Outlook" survey indicates. (It's published earlier this time than usual.) The 1971-73 increase in shipments by chemical producers (to $63.2 billion) is the greatest for any two-year period since 1954-56, the

In Brief: survey points out. And 1973 would have been the greatest growth year ever for the industry, it adds, if producers only had been able to meet customers' demands. But shortages—of energy, raw materials, and capacity—have put a severe crimp in production of many basic industrial chemicals, the impact of which has reverberated throughout the industry. For many basic chemicals, demand outstripped supply by 5 to 15%. Shortages will continue to plague the industry in the year ahead, the Commerce analysts caution, but the tightness probably will be relieved during the latter part of the year as demand eases a bit and new production capacity comes on stream. Commerce predicts that the industry's capital spending is likely to rise next year about in line with the increase it expects in shipments. These annual Commerce forecasts have tended to err on the conservative side, at least in the past few years. Last January, for example, the department estimated that shipments this year would rise by only 6%. And in forecasting 1972

Two chemists and three physicists win Nobel Prizes. Ernst Fischer and Geoffrey Wilkinson take the chemistry prize for work on organometallic sandwich compounds. Leo Esaki, Ivar Giaever, and Brian Josephson win the physics prize for work on tunneling phenomena in semiconductors and superconductors. (Facing page) Another year of solid growth for the chemical industry is forecast for 1974. Commerce Department predicts chemical shipments will be up 8%, although raw material shortages will persist. (Facing page) Chemistry's impact is pervasive throughout U.S. industry and has been not only far-reaching but largely beneficial, according to an ACS study released last week in the form of a 554-page report. (Page 5)

Congress' Office of Technology Assessment is ready to start up, with Emilio Q. Daddario pegged to become director. Congress finally has provided funds for OTA. (Page 16) Marketing uncertainties are main barriers to innovation, says an NSF-funded report. It aims at helping Government provide a favorable environment for technological innovation. (Page 17) Energy crisis has spurred interest in coal research. Increased use of coal, however, depends on the success of R&D programs both in North America and Europe. (Page 21) Liquid chromatography's use in process analyzers and a new concept in programable controllers highlight ISA's annual conference and exhibit. (Page 22) Official reports from the ACS

Chemical industry growth Big drug firms are more innova- meeting in Chicago in August to continue—at slower pace tive than smaller ones, say two reflect many actions, including a Value of shipments, % increase

Chemicals and allied products Industrial inorganic chemicals and gases Industrial organic chemicals Plastics materials and resins Pharmaceutical preparations Paints and allied products

1972

1973 1974

11% 10% 8% 6

9

6

12

12

8

11

13

11

9

9

9

7

7

7

Source: Department of Commerce

growth early that year, it estimated a 7% increase. Looking ahead to 1980—and assuming that real gross national product will rise by about a third between now and then to $2.1 trillion in current dollars—Commerce sees continued strong growth for the chemical industry. Organic chemical shipments will rise at an annual average rate of 7.7% to $21 billion, inorganics by almost 6% a year to nearly $11 billion, plastics by 8% a year to more than $9 billion, coatings by 7% a year to $6.6 billion, and pharmaceuticals by about 9% a year to $15.5 billion.

economists. Contrasting with some other industry views, the two saiy that size is the key to survival. (Page 9)

$3.00 increase in member dues, new rules to assure election by a majority of those voting, and tighter requirements for petition candidates. (Page 27)

Major step toward a unified European patent system was taken last month at a Munich meeting Chemical & Engineering News with pledges from 14 countries October 29, 1973 to abide by a Europatent sysVolume 51, Number 44 tem. Similar talks will be held CENEAR 51 (44) 1-48 ISSN 0009-2347 next May on an EEC patent 1 Editorial convention. (Page 11) 2

Yugoslavia's growing chemical industry is a visible result of a series of liberalized laws and international agreements designed to attract foreign investments. (Page 12) A chemist will head the Council on Environmental Quality from all indications. Dr. Russell W. Peterson, former governor of Delaware, is set for confirmation hearings. (Page 15)

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Oct. 29, 1973C&EN

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