Arthur John Birch
| Arthur John Birch | |
|---|---|
| Born |
3 August 1915 Sydney, Australia |
| Died | 8 December 1995 (aged 80) Canberra, Australia |
| Citizenship | Australian |
| Fields | Organic chemistry |
| Institutions |
Australian National University, University of Cambridge, University of Sydney |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney, University of Oxford |
| Doctoral advisor | Robert Robinson |
| Known for |
Birch reaction, Other contributions to organic chemistry |
| Notable awards |
Fellow of the Royal Society (1958) Davy Medal (1972) Tetrahedron Prize (1987) Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture 1972 |
Arthur John Birch, AC CMG FRS FAA (3 August 1915 – 8 December 1995) was an Australian organic chemist.
Birch developed the Birch reduction of aromatic rings (by treatment with lithium metal and ammonia) which is widely used in synthetic organic chemistry. The Birch Reduction enables the modification of steroids. In 1948 Birch published the first total synthesis of a male sex hormone (19-nortestosterone), as the first member of a new structural series. This series later comprised the first oral contraceptive pill, which was made by others. The Birch reduction also allows for the development of other steroid drugs and antibiotics - he also made the first simple synthesis of the ring A-B structure of cholesterol. Birch published over 440 scientific papers and reports.
Birch won a scholarship to attend the University of Sydney graduating with a BSc in 1937 and a MSc in 1938. He travelled to Oxford University to undertake his PhD, graduating in 1940.
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