Edward M. Burgess
Encyclopedia
Edward M. Burgess is an American chemist
. He specialized in organic chemistry
with an emphasis on methodology
, structure
, and photochemistry
. He is best known for the Burgess reagent
(methyl N-(triethylammoniumsulfonyl)carbamate) that is used for selective dehydration of alcohols.
Professor Burgess served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Organic Division of the American Chemical Society
from 1974 to 1977.
, Alabama
in 1934. He attended Shades Valley High School
in that city and was awarded the school's science award upon graduation in 1951. During the summers of his junior and senior high school years he obtained a job performing routine chores at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
(UAB) Department of Biochemistry
. It was during this period at UAB that Burgess began his career in chemical
research
. Under the guidance of the noted carbohydrate
chemist
, William Ward Pigman, he was given his own research project, the “Anhydrous Reaction of Nitrogen Dioxide
with some Selected Sugars.”
In 1952 Burgess was awarded an NROTC scholarship
and entered Auburn University
with a dual major in chemistry
and physics
. During his undergraduate years at Auburn
he undertook research in the laboratories of Frank Stevens (Chemistry) on the Synthesis of Indole
Derivatives useful as Plant Growth Regulators and Howard Carr (Physics) on the construction of a mass spectrometer. He obtained his B.Sc. Degree (cum laude
) in 1956.
destroyer
, USS Stormes (DD-780), a ship assigned to both the U.S. Atlantic
and Mediterranean fleets.
. His doctoral dissertation was titled “Photochemical isomerization of eucarvone and cyclooctatrienone; Studies toward the synthesis of samandarin
.” An interest in photochemistry
and synthetic methodology would mark many of Burgess's contributions to chemistry. In addition to his publications with Professor Büchi connected with his dissertation, Burgess also published independently on the epoxidation of chloestadienone.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
. He specialized in organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
with an emphasis on methodology
Chemical synthesis
In chemistry, chemical synthesis is purposeful execution of chemical reactions to get a product, or several products. This happens by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions...
, structure
Chemical structure
A chemical structure includes molecular geometry, electronic structure and crystal structure of molecules. Molecular geometry refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule and the chemical bonds that hold the atoms together. Molecular geometry can range from the very simple, such as...
, and photochemistry
Photochemistry
Photochemistry, a sub-discipline of chemistry, is the study of chemical reactions that proceed with the absorption of light by atoms or molecules.. Everyday examples include photosynthesis, the degradation of plastics and the formation of vitamin D with sunlight.-Principles:Light is a type of...
. He is best known for the Burgess reagent
Burgess reagent
The Burgess reagent or methyl N-carbamate was developed in the laboratory of Edward M. Burgess at Georgia Tech. It is a mild and selective dehydrating reagent often used in organic chemistry. It is used to convert secondary and tertiary alcohol with an adjacent proton into alkenes. Primary alcohols...
(methyl N-(triethylammoniumsulfonyl)carbamate) that is used for selective dehydration of alcohols.
Professor Burgess served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Organic Division of the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
from 1974 to 1977.
Personal Life and Education
Edward Meredith Burgess was born in BirminghamBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
in 1934. He attended Shades Valley High School
Shades Valley High School
Shades Valley High School is a public secondary school located in Irondale, Alabama . The school was established in 1948 near Homewood and was moved to its present location in Irondale in the fall of 1996.-Location:...
in that city and was awarded the school's science award upon graduation in 1951. During the summers of his junior and senior high school years he obtained a job performing routine chores at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
(UAB) Department of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
. It was during this period at UAB that Burgess began his career in chemical
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
. Under the guidance of the noted carbohydrate
Carbohydrate
A carbohydrate is an organic compound with the empirical formula ; that is, consists only of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a hydrogen:oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 . However, there are exceptions to this. One common example would be deoxyribose, a component of DNA, which has the empirical...
chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
, William Ward Pigman, he was given his own research project, the “Anhydrous Reaction of Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula it is one of several nitrogen oxides. is an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of nitric acid, millions of tons of which are produced each year. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor and is a prominent...
with some Selected Sugars.”
In 1952 Burgess was awarded an NROTC scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
and entered Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
with a dual major in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
. During his undergraduate years at Auburn
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
he undertook research in the laboratories of Frank Stevens (Chemistry) on the Synthesis of Indole
Indole
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Indole is a popular component of fragrances and the precursor to many pharmaceuticals. Compounds that contain an...
Derivatives useful as Plant Growth Regulators and Howard Carr (Physics) on the construction of a mass spectrometer. He obtained his B.Sc. Degree (cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
) in 1956.
Career
From 1956-1959 Burgess served as an officer aboard the US NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
, USS Stormes (DD-780), a ship assigned to both the U.S. Atlantic
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
and Mediterranean fleets.
Graduate Research at MIT
As a graduate student in the Büchi group, Burgess's research focused largely on synthetic organic chemistry and photochemistryPhotochemistry
Photochemistry, a sub-discipline of chemistry, is the study of chemical reactions that proceed with the absorption of light by atoms or molecules.. Everyday examples include photosynthesis, the degradation of plastics and the formation of vitamin D with sunlight.-Principles:Light is a type of...
. His doctoral dissertation was titled “Photochemical isomerization of eucarvone and cyclooctatrienone; Studies toward the synthesis of samandarin
Samandarin
Samandarin is the main steroidal alkaloid of the skin glands of the fire salamander . It is extremely toxic, causing strong muscle convulsions and high blood pressure combined with hyperventilation in vertebrates.- References :...
.” An interest in photochemistry
Photochemistry
Photochemistry, a sub-discipline of chemistry, is the study of chemical reactions that proceed with the absorption of light by atoms or molecules.. Everyday examples include photosynthesis, the degradation of plastics and the formation of vitamin D with sunlight.-Principles:Light is a type of...
and synthetic methodology would mark many of Burgess's contributions to chemistry. In addition to his publications with Professor Büchi connected with his dissertation, Burgess also published independently on the epoxidation of chloestadienone.