Sir Alan Battersby | |
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![]() Battersby in his office | |
Born | Alan Rushton Battersby 4 March 1925 Leigh, Lancashire, England |
Died | 10 February 2018 | (aged 92)
Alma mater | University of Manchester University of St Andrews |
Spouse | Margaret Ruth née Hart |
Parents |
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Awards | Davy Medal (1977) Paul Karrer Gold Medal (1977) Royal Medal (1984) Tetrahedron Prize (1995) Copley Medal (2000) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Organic Chemistry Natural Products |
Institutions | University of St Andrews Rockefeller University University of Illinois University of Bristol University of Liverpool Cambridge University |
Thesis | Researches into the structure of Emetine (1949) |
Doctoral advisor | Dr Hal T Openshaw |
Doctoral students | Andrew D. Hamilton Craig Hawker |
Sir Alan Rushton Battersby FRS (4 March 1925 – 10 February 2018) was an English organic chemist best known for his work to define the chemical intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway to vitamin B12 and the reaction mechanisms of the enzymes involved. His research group was also notable for its synthesis of radiolabelled precursors to study alkaloid biosynthesis and the stereochemistry of enzymic reactions. He won numerous awards including the Royal Medal in 1984 and the Copley Medal in 2000. He was knighted in the 1992 New Year Honours. Battersby died in February 2018 at the age of 92.[1]