Homer Burton Adkins
Homer Burton Adkins (born January 16, 1892 in Newport (Ohio) , † August 10, 1949 in Madison , Wisconsin ) was an American chemist .
life and work
Adkins received his undergraduate degree from Denison University and his PhD from Ohio State University in 1918.
Adkins was a world authority on the hydrogenation of organic compounds . Among other things, he developed the Adkins catalyst . Adkins also coined the word hydrogenolysis and described it as a chemical reaction in which a molecule is broken into smaller molecules by reacting with hydrogen . Together with Wesley J. Peterson, he developed the Adkins-Peterson reaction , an oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde using metal oxide catalysts .
Adkins described scientific research as follows: Basic research is like shooting an arrow in the air and drawing a target where it lands .
In 1942 Adkins was elected to the National Academy of Sciences .
Individual evidence
- ^ Adkins-Peterson reaction ( Memento of May 29, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Basic research is like shooting an arrow into the air and, where it lands, painting a target.
Web links
- Brief description of Adkins' scientific work (PDF; 8 kB)
- A Biographical Memoir by Farrington Daniels
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Adkins, Homer Burton |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American chemist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 16, 1892 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Newport, Ohio |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 10, 1949 |
| Place of death | Madison (Wisconsin) |