Gary H. Posner
Encyclopedia
Gary H. Posner is Scowe Professor of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University
in Baltimore
, Maryland
. Posner is known for his pioneering research in organocopper
chemistry, including his involvement in the development of the Corey-House-Posner-Whitesides reaction
.
and completed his undergraduate studies at Brandeis University
. He received his PhD from Harvard University
in 1968 where his advisor was E. J. Corey. He did a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California Berkeley. He has been at The Johns Hopkins University since 1969 where he has held the Scowe Professorship in Chemistry since 1989.
involving organocopper reagent
s. He is the author of the textbook An Introduction to Synthesis Using Organocopper Reagents. Posner has also contributed numerous other developments in synthetic organic chemistry including asymmetric synthesis and multicomponent organic reactions. Posner’s recent research has been focused on applying organic synthesis to the preparation of novel medicinal agents including isothiocyanate
s with anticancer properties, new vitamin D
analogs for the treatment of psoriasis, and new antimalarial peroxide
s.
.
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Posner is known for his pioneering research in organocopper
Organocopper compound
Organocopper compounds in organometallic chemistry contain carbon to copper chemical bonds. Organocopper chemistry is the science of organocopper compounds describing their physical properties, synthesis and reactions...
chemistry, including his involvement in the development of the Corey-House-Posner-Whitesides reaction
Corey-House-Posner-Whitesides reaction
The Corey–Posner, Whitesides–House synthesis is an organic reaction that involves the reaction of a lithium dialkyl cuprate with an alkyl halide to form a new alkane, an organocopper compound and a lithium halide.-Reaction mechanism:This reaction occurs in two steps...
.
Career
Posner was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and completed his undergraduate studies at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
. He received his PhD from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1968 where his advisor was E. J. Corey. He did a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California Berkeley. He has been at The Johns Hopkins University since 1969 where he has held the Scowe Professorship in Chemistry since 1989.
Research
Posner was first known for his pioneering research in organocopper chemistry in which he developed novel methods for organic synthesisOrganic synthesis
Organic synthesis is a special branch of chemical synthesis and is concerned with the construction of organic compounds via organic reactions. Organic molecules can often contain a higher level of complexity compared to purely inorganic compounds, so the synthesis of organic compounds has...
involving organocopper reagent
Reagent
A reagent is a "substance or compound that is added to a system in order to bring about a chemical reaction, or added to see if a reaction occurs." Although the terms reactant and reagent are often used interchangeably, a reactant is less specifically a "substance that is consumed in the course of...
s. He is the author of the textbook An Introduction to Synthesis Using Organocopper Reagents. Posner has also contributed numerous other developments in synthetic organic chemistry including asymmetric synthesis and multicomponent organic reactions. Posner’s recent research has been focused on applying organic synthesis to the preparation of novel medicinal agents including isothiocyanate
Isothiocyanate
Isothiocyanate is the chemical group –N=C=S, formed by substituting sulfur for oxygen in the isocyanate group. Many natural isothiocyanates from plants are produced by enzymatic conversion of metabolites called glucosinolates. These natural isothiocyanates, such as allyl isothiocyanate, are also...
s with anticancer properties, new vitamin D
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique both because it functions as a prohormone and because the body can synthesize it when sun exposure is adequate ....
analogs for the treatment of psoriasis, and new antimalarial peroxide
Peroxide
A peroxide is a compound containing an oxygen–oxygen single bond or the peroxide anion .The O−O group is called the peroxide group or peroxo group. In contrast to oxide ions, the oxygen atoms in the peroxide ion have an oxidation state of −1.The simplest stable peroxide is hydrogen peroxide...
s.
Awards
In 1987, Posner was named Maryland Chemist of the Year and in 1994 he received the Distinguished Teaching Award at Johns Hopkins. He is also a 2004 recipient of a Cope Senior Scholar Award from the American Chemical SocietyAmerican 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...
.