Günther Wilke
| Günther Wilke | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1925 |
| Nationality | German |
| Fields | inorganic chemistry |
| Institutions | Max Planck Institute for Coal Research |
| Known for | Organo-Nickel Chemistry |
| Notable awards | Willard Gibbs Award 1991 |
Günther Wilke is a German chemist who was influential in organometallic chemistry. He was the director of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung) from 1967–1992, succeeding Karl Ziegler in that post.[1] During Wilke’s era, the MPI made several discoveries and achieved some financial independence from patents and a gift from the Ziegler family. The institute continued as a center of excellence in organometallic chemistry.
Wilke’s own area of interest focused on homogeneous catalysis by nickel complexes. His group discovered or developed several compounds including Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)2, Ni(allyl)2, Ni(C2H4)3. Some of these complexes are useful catalysts for the oligomerization of dienes.[2]
Honours and awards
- Seven honorary doctorates
- corresponding member of the math and science class abroad,
- Former Vice President of the Max Planck Society (1978-1990)
- Member of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science (President 1994-1997)
- Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Halle
- Member of the Academia Europaea
- Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
- President of the German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker)
- Chairman of the Society of German Scientists and Physicians
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1987)
References
- ↑ {http://www.kofo.mpg.de/de/institut/geschichte History of the Max-Planck-Institure (German)]
- ↑ Wilke, G. (1988). "Contributions to Organo-Nickel Chemistry". Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English 27: 185–206. doi:10.1002/anie.198801851.
See also: http://www.mpi-muelheim.mpg.de/kofo/english/institut/geschichte_e.html