Top Chemist to Give Endowed Lecture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 2004-2005 Arthur Fry Lecture Series will feature top chemist Ernest Eliel, professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Monday, April 4.

In 1998, Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) listed Eliel in the top “75 Distinguished Contributors to the Chemical Enterprise” during the 75 years of C&EN's existence. The list is a “Who’s Who” of outstanding researchers and people who helped transform the nature of the chemical industry.

Eliel made major contributions in organic stereochemistry and conformational analysis, which included three landmark books: “Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds” (1962), “Conformational Analysis” (1965, coauthored), and “Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds” (1994, with S. H. Wilen). He was the coeditor of Topics in Stereochemistry (1965-94).

During his 50-year career he received many honors including the 1968 Lavoisier Medal of the French Chemical Society; the 1995 ACS George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education; the 1996 Priestley Medal; and the 1997 National Academy of Sciences Award for Chemistry in Service to Society. He is past president and past chairman of the board of the American Chemical Society and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Eliel will present “The History of Stereochemistry from Pasteur to Prelog,” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Giffels Auditorium, Old Main on the U of A campus. A reception will take place in the Phoenix House lobby, 348 Arkansas Ave., following the seminar at 3:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.