The Woodward Research Institute, Robert Burns Woodward (1917–1979) and Chemistry behind the Glass Door

Abstract

Woodwards remarkable accomplishments in the development of organic chemistry altered not only our concepts of molecular structure, but also our comprehension of physico-chemical properties. In his legacy, Woodward devised innovative strategies for natural product syntheses based on brilliant rationale of their properties and an uncanny sense of Nature. The chemistry community benefited not only at Harvard but especially in Basel and Zürich from Woodwards inspiring lectures and the opportunity to learn from the chemistry Meister. This article highlights parts of the chemistry and some personalities that contributed to forefront investigations at the Woodward Research Institute which began at the former Novartis legacy company, Ciba AG, Basel.

On the Structural Assignments Underlying R. B. Woodward's Most Personal Data That Led to the Woodward–Hoffmann Rules: Subramania Ranganathan's Key Role and Related Research by E. J. Corey and A. G. Hortmann

“…[45] It may be that Ranganathan completed his report too soonb efore departing from Harvard( for his continued association with Woodward at the Woodward Research Institute in Basel, Switzerland) to have received Woodward's corrections on his report, assuming that Woodward made such corrections to his postdoctoral students' reports. [46,47] It is also possible that Ranganathand id not provide Woodward with his report, or not much before his departure. Seeman was unable to find ac opy of Ranganathan's reportw ithin the Woodward archives.…”

R. B. Woodward: A Larger‐than‐Life Chemistry Rock Star

“…For example, following his likely off‐handed admiration of the sedan chairs used in Asia and elsewhere, his research group gave him one for his 60th birthday and carried him around Harvard yard, even picked him up at Boston's Logan Airport, in the sedan chair, sometimes accompanied with a large Japanese gong. That Woodward's group meetings, the famous “Thursday Evening Seminars,” that lasted well beyond midnight were widely attended by chemists in the Cambridge area and often by those from further afield. That Harvard's administration (and parking concession) catered to his (perhaps) every wish, certainly encouraged by the temptations offered by competitor institutions. Woodward was released from teaching scheduled courses, serving on committees, and being department chair. That Ciba AG, the then Swiss pharmaceutical company, created the Woodward Research Institute in Basel to allow Woodward to direct the research of experienced chemists more or less as he pleased without the constraints of a university environment or funding overseer. That Woodward received enormous and continuing media coverage, including articles about his research achievements in popular magazines, newspapers, and chemical society news magazines. That people wrote to Woodward, seeking his counsel regarding their medical ailments and seeking his mentorship regarding science fair projects and other educational matters. That Woodward could present a lecture at a Gordon Conference, inserted into the schedule at the last moment. The lecture was actually a practical joke—an entirely fictitious total synthesis of cortisone by two fictitious Harvard colleagues.…”

“…That Ciba AG, the then Swiss pharmaceutical company, created the Woodward Research Institute in Basel to allow Woodward to direct the research of experienced chemists more or less as he pleased without the constraints of a university environment or funding overseer.…”

Having Fun with The Nozoe Autograph Books. A Bit of Exploration and an Unexpected Learning Experience

“…It is interesting to compare Bill Doering's “semi‐private” research institute—the Hickrill Chemical Research Foundation in New York—with his friend and one‐time mentor's, that is, R. B. Woodward's, playground, the Woodward Research Institute (WRI) in Basel, Switzerland . The WRI existed from 1963 until shortly after Woodward's passing in 1979.…”