Robert West
Encyclopedia
Robert C. West is E. G. Rochow Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
; Director of the Organosilicon Research Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison 1999–present; President, Silatronix, Inc. (2007–present; Distinguished Professor, Yonsei University
, 2009–present.
in 1950, proceeding on to Harvard University
where he received his Master of Arts in 1952 and Ph.D. in 1954. At Cornell, he was a member of the Quill and Dagger
society.
chemistry as well as for his work with oxocarbons and organolithium compounds. In 2004, West was listed as one of the most cited scientists during the period 1981-1999, according to a citation survey by Thomson ISI. West's most well-known discovery was the synthesis of the first ever silicon-silicon double bond in 1981, a feat which broke the so-called "double-bond rule" (which stated that main group elements below row two of the periodic table could not form double bonds). West later discovered the first example of a stable silylene
, a form of divalent silicon, acting as the silicon analog to the now catalytically important carbene
. West also developed a new model for understanding rotations in polymers. West's numerous other discoveries include a siloxane-based electrolyte
which has made possible revolutionary rechargeable implantable batteries for biomedical applications including the treatment of spinal injuries and nerve damage. His current interests include the synthesis of silicon-containing anticancer drugs, and the study of silicon and germanium compounds by muon
resonance spectroscopy .
. He is known for his eccentric lifestyle, liberal political views, and activism for women's reproductive rights both in the US and internationally. His international interests have led to extensive collaborative research with chemistry departments in major universities in countries including Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway and Russia. Many of his over 600 publications have been in collaboration with scientists in countries outside the USA.
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
; Director of the Organosilicon Research Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison 1999–present; President, Silatronix, Inc. (2007–present; Distinguished Professor, Yonsei University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University is a Christian private research university, located in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest universities in South Korea, the top private comprehensive universities in South Korea, and is widely regarded as one of the top three comprehensive...
, 2009–present.
Education
West received his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1950, proceeding on to 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...
where he received his Master of Arts in 1952 and Ph.D. in 1954. At Cornell, he was a member of the Quill and Dagger
Quill and Dagger
Quill and Dagger is a senior honor society at Cornell University. It is often recognized as one of the most prominent collegiate societies of its type, along with Skull and Bones of Yale University...
society.
Notable Work
West is a world-renowned chemist best known for his groundbreaking research in siliconSilicon
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
chemistry as well as for his work with oxocarbons and organolithium compounds. In 2004, West was listed as one of the most cited scientists during the period 1981-1999, according to a citation survey by Thomson ISI. West's most well-known discovery was the synthesis of the first ever silicon-silicon double bond in 1981, a feat which broke the so-called "double-bond rule" (which stated that main group elements below row two of the periodic table could not form double bonds). West later discovered the first example of a stable silylene
Silylene
Silylenes are chemical compounds containing a divalent silicon atom without any electrical charge. Both dicoordinate and tricoordinate silylenes are reported in the literature. They are considered to be heavier analogues of carbene. In earlier times, they were called silene, but this is a mistake,...
, a form of divalent silicon, acting as the silicon analog to the now catalytically important carbene
Carbene
In chemistry, a carbene is a molecule containing a neutral carbon atom with a valence of two and two unshared valence electrons. The general formula is RR'C:, but the carbon can instead be double-bonded to one group. The term "carbene" may also merely refer to the compound H2C:, also called...
. West also developed a new model for understanding rotations in polymers. West's numerous other discoveries include a siloxane-based electrolyte
Electrolyte
In chemistry, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that make the substance electrically conductive. The most typical electrolyte is an ionic solution, but molten electrolytes and solid electrolytes are also possible....
which has made possible revolutionary rechargeable implantable batteries for biomedical applications including the treatment of spinal injuries and nerve damage. His current interests include the synthesis of silicon-containing anticancer drugs, and the study of silicon and germanium compounds by muon
Muon
The muon |mu]] used to represent it) is an elementary particle similar to the electron, with a unitary negative electric charge and a spin of ½. Together with the electron, the tau, and the three neutrinos, it is classified as a lepton...
resonance spectroscopy .
Other Interests
West is an instrument-rated pilot with over 2500 hours as pilot-in-command. He is a mountaineer, with over 50 first ascents in the mountains of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. He is known for his eccentric lifestyle, liberal political views, and activism for women's reproductive rights both in the US and internationally. His international interests have led to extensive collaborative research with chemistry departments in major universities in countries including Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway and Russia. Many of his over 600 publications have been in collaboration with scientists in countries outside the USA.
External links
- Bob West's bio at the University of Wisconsin's Department of Chemistry site: http://www.chem.wisc.edu/people/profiles/West.php
- The Organosilicon Research Center at the University of Wisconsin: http://www.chem.wisc.edu/~osirc/
- Implantable batteries made possible by organosilicon electrolytes: http://www.news.wisc.edu/11615.html