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I am very happy to note that organic chemist Phil Baran from Scripps is one of this year's recipients of the MacArthur "Genius" Award. It's rare for a chemist and especially a "pure" organic chemist to receive this recognition.
The first reason why chemists should be happy of course is that Baran is a phenomenal chemist. Ever since he was a graduate student he has been churning out innovative molecules and methods to make them. It's probably safe to say that he is the most promising young organic chemist in the world right now.
But the more important reason why this recognition is almost heart-warming is because it reaffirms faith in the soul of "pure" organic chemistry and synthesis. Baran's style of synthesis reminds one of the golden age of the discipline in the 50s and 60s, when legendary practitioners like Woodward, Corey and Stork used to make molecules for the sake of making them, for exploring the beauty and difficulty of their architectures and for appreciating the simple tricks and reagents that could turn a complex synthesis into a simple one. Phil Baran produces the same wistful nostalgia in a young aspiring organic chemist that a Detroit car manufacturer from the 50s would produce in a young automobile engineer standing on the empty grounds of a once-thriving factory. He reminds us of the time when synthesis was king.
Throughout his career Baran has continued to achieve all the goals savored by the giants of synthesis. He has followed his mentor E J Corey in synthesizing some very complex compounds as well as in developing new methods. When I read about his work I think of the young Woodward making reserpine or of the young Corey discovering new protecting groups for alcohols.
The last few years have seen some cynicism - much of it well-directed - about total synthesis, about the tendency to treat molecule-making as a marathon rather than a sprint. And yet young Baran has proven that there are still gems to be unearthed from the dross of hammer and tong chemistry, and that there is still hope for the next generation of purely synthetic chemists who are looking for truly innovative molecules and methods.
This seems to me to be a more than adequate reason to toast Baran and his accomplishments. Congratulations Phil!
The first reason why chemists should be happy of course is that Baran is a phenomenal chemist. Ever since he was a graduate student he has been churning out innovative molecules and methods to make them. It's probably safe to say that he is the most promising young organic chemist in the world right now.
But the more important reason why this recognition is almost heart-warming is because it reaffirms faith in the soul of "pure" organic chemistry and synthesis. Baran's style of synthesis reminds one of the golden age of the discipline in the 50s and 60s, when legendary practitioners like Woodward, Corey and Stork used to make molecules for the sake of making them, for exploring the beauty and difficulty of their architectures and for appreciating the simple tricks and reagents that could turn a complex synthesis into a simple one. Phil Baran produces the same wistful nostalgia in a young aspiring organic chemist that a Detroit car manufacturer from the 50s would produce in a young automobile engineer standing on the empty grounds of a once-thriving factory. He reminds us of the time when synthesis was king.
Throughout his career Baran has continued to achieve all the goals savored by the giants of synthesis. He has followed his mentor E J Corey in synthesizing some very complex compounds as well as in developing new methods. When I read about his work I think of the young Woodward making reserpine or of the young Corey discovering new protecting groups for alcohols.
The last few years have seen some cynicism - much of it well-directed - about total synthesis, about the tendency to treat molecule-making as a marathon rather than a sprint. And yet young Baran has proven that there are still gems to be unearthed from the dross of hammer and tong chemistry, and that there is still hope for the next generation of purely synthetic chemists who are looking for truly innovative molecules and methods.
This seems to me to be a more than adequate reason to toast Baran and his accomplishments. Congratulations Phil!
A beautiful post on an outstanding scientist, Ash. I was excited to read what you had to say about Phil's fellowship.
ReplyDeleteThe last two sentences of your third paragraph sent shivers up my spine.
"Phil Baran produces the same wistful nostalgia in a young aspiring organic chemist that a Detroit car manufacturer from the 50s would produce in a young automobile engineer standing on the empty grounds of a once-thriving factory. He reminds us of the time when synthesis was king."
What a wonderful metaphor.
Thanks David!
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