Odd Hassel (17 May 1897 – 11 May 1981) was a Norwegian physical chemist and Nobel Laureate.
Odd Hassel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 May 1897 |
| Died | 11 May 1981 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Norway |
| Alma mater | University of Oslo |
| Awards |  Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1969) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physical chemistry |
Biography
Born in Kristiania, his parents were Ernst Hassel, a gynaecologist, and Mathilde Klaveness. In 1915, he entered the University of Oslo where he studied mathematics, physics and chemistry, and graduated in 1920. After taking a year off from studying, he went to Munich, Germany to work in the laboratory of Professor Kasimir Fajans.[1] His work there led to the detection of absorption indicators. After moving to Berlin, he worked at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute, where he began to do research on X-ray crystallography.[2] He furthered his research with a Rockefeller Fellowship, obtained with the help of Fritz Haber. In 1924, he obtained his PhD from the Berlin University, before moving to the University of Oslo, where he worked from 1925 through 1964, as a professor from 1934.[3]
His work was interrupted when the entire university staff was arrested by the occupation authorities on 15 October 1943. After a time in Bredtveit concentration camp until 22 November 1943, he was sent to Berg concentration camp, and on 9 December 1943 further to Grini concentration camp. He remained there until 6 November 1944.[4]
Work
Hassel originally focused on inorganic chemistry, but beginning in 1930 his work concentrated on problems connected with molecular structure, particularly the structure of cyclohexane and its derivatives. He introduced the Norwegian scientific community to the concepts of the electric dipole moments and electron diffraction. The work for which he is best known established the three-dimensionality of molecular geometry. He focused his research on ring-shaped carbon molecules, which he suspected filled three dimensions instead of two, the common belief of the time. By using the number of bonds between the carbon and hydrogen atoms, Hassel demonstrated the impossibility of the molecules existing on only one plane. This discovery led to his being awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1969, shared with Derek Barton.
References
- ^ Candid Science III: More Conversations with Famous Chemists, Istvan Hargittai, Magdolna Hargittai, Imperial College Press, 2003.
- ^ Odd Hassel biography bookrags.com
- ^ Odd Hassel - The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1969, nobelprize.org
- ^ Ottosen, Kristian, ed. (2004). Nordmenn i fangenskap 1940–1945 (in Norwegian) (2nd ed.). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. p. 289. ISBN 82-15-00288-9.
Further reading
- Oakes, E. (2002). A to Z of Chemists. Facts on File Science library : Notable scientists. New York: VB Hermitage. ISBN 0-8160-4579-8.
External links
- Hassel's Nobel Foundation biography
- Hassel's Nobel Lecture Structural Aspects of Interatomic Charge-Transfer Bonding