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Emil Fischer—Unequalled Classicist, Master of Organic Chemistry Research, and Inspired Trailblazer of Biological Chemistry
Author(s) -
Kunz Horst
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/1521-3773(20021202)41:23<4439::aid-anie4439>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - chemistry , protein chemistry , stereoselectivity , polymer science , stereochemistry , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , catalysis
The founder of the chemistry of primary natural products (carbohydrates, purines and nucleosides, and peptides and proteins) was Emil Fischer (see picture). He elucidated the stereochemistry of carbohydrates, introduced the assignment of configuration, developed asymmetric syntheses and protecting‐group chemistry, and was the first to obtain synthetic peptides by targeted chain extension. He uncovered the substrate selectivity and stereoselectivity of enzyme reactions, formulated the lock‐and‐key principle of biological recognition, and became the father of biochemistry. He was born 150 years ago, and 100 years ago he received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.