Abstract
THE William H. Nichols Medal for 1944 of the New York Section of the American Chemical Society has been presented to Prof. Carl Shipp Marvel for outstanding contributions to knowledge of the structure of vinyl polymers, the long-chain molecules used as rubber substitutes, in production of plastics, and as thickening and blending agents in chemical manufacturing, and for his research in the structure of sulphur dioxide – olefin polymers. Prof. Marvel is professor of organic chemistry at the University of Illinois, and president-elect of the American Chemical Society. As a graduate student at the University of Illinois, Prof. Marvel became interested during the War of 1914–18 in the development of synthetic chemicals, at a time when the United States was dependent upon Germany for many drugs and dyes. He is now recognized as one of the outstanding authorities in the United States in organic chemistry, especially in the field of polymers, and for his extensive knowledge of organic chemical reactions. He is also a leader in the development of synthetic methods for making organic compounds, and early in his career at the University of Illinois began manufacturing chemicals needed for research there and elsewhere. One contribution in this latter field was the production of pure amino-acids, which have served brilliantly in vitamin studies and determinations of essentials of diet. The amino-acids also are used for intravenous feeding of persons unable to tolerate proteins. Other work by Prof. Marvel has dealt with the relationship of hydrogen bonding and solubility behaviour, the synthesis and rearrangement of poly-enes and polyines, association of free radicals, and other research fields. Prof. Marvel was born at Waynesville, 111., on September 11, 1894, and received his bachelor of arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1915. He Was a student of Dr. A. W. Homberger, Illinois Wesleyan, and of the late Prof. W. A. Noyes, at the University of Illinois. He has been associated with the editorial board of "Organic Syntheses"since 1923, and with the Journal of Organic Chemistry since its founding. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and was chairman of Section B–3, National Defense Research Committee, during most of 1941 and 1942.
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William H. Nichols Medal of the American Chemical Society: Award to Prof. C. S. Marvel. Nature 153, 583 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/153583b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/153583b0