Ott Lecture to focus on synthetic organic chemistry's use in creating new medicines

The development of new techniques in synthetic organic chemistry has been and will continue to be vital in the creation of new medicines and other materials.

Stephen Buchwald, the Camille Dreyfus Professor of Chemistry and associate head of the Department of Chemistry at MIT, will describe the efforts made by his team, The Buchwald Research Group, to develop these new methods during the Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry.

He will also illustrate the history of the development of new techniques in synthetic organic chemistry, as well as provide examples of how this specific branch of chemistry can be used in several different fields — from making pharmaceuticals to materials that could potentially be used for making cell phone screens.

The event will take place on October 4 at 6 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium, located in the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. A reception will take place prior to the lecture beginning 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“Dr. Buchwald is well known for developing novel methods in synthetic organic chemistry, the area of our field that allows us to design and make new molecules,” said David Leonard, professor of chemistry and lecture coordinator. “His work has focused on making new carbon-carbon bonds or carbon-nitrogen bonds, and his novel methods have been particularly useful in overcoming synthetic challenges in the design of new drugs.”

Buchwald will also facilitate a chemistry seminar on October 5 at 1 p.m. in room 102 of Loutit Hall on the Allendale Campus.

Buchwald received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his doctoral degree from Harvard University.

The Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry was created and endowed by a gift from the late Arnold C. and Marion Ott. Arnold Ott was a leading chemist and entrepreneur in West Michigan. He was also one of the co-founders of Grand Valley and served on the Board of Trustees for 28 years.

For more information, contact the Chemistry Department at (616) 331-3317 or visit gvsu.edu/chem.