175 Years of Chemistry at the University of Zurich: Tradition, Dedication and Vision
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175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 68
doi:10.2533/chimia.2008.68 CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
Chimia 62 (2008) 68–74
© Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft
ISSN 0009–4293
175 Years of Chemistry at the University of
Zurich: Tradition, Dedication and Vision
Jay S. Siegel*
Abstract: April 29th, 2008 marks 175 years that chemistry has thrived as a leading discipline at the University of
Zurich and in the intellectual life of Zurich. This issue of CHIMIA is dedicated to honoring this venerable history and
celebrating the exciting present-day activities that point to positive future developments for chemistry in Zurich.
Keywords: Chemistry Institutes UZH · History of chemistry
Introduction tion to more than advancements in research
of new knowledge; it promotes innovation
April 29th, 2008 marks 175 years that in the teaching and the fostering of young
chemistry has thrived as a leading disci- minds, providing creative leadership and
pline at UZH and in the intellectual life of force for progressive change in our aca-
Zurich. This issue of CHIMIA is dedicated demic and social community.
to honoring this venerable history and cel- The special role of chemistry as the
ebrating the exciting present-day activities science of all things material, links the ad-
that point to positive future developments vances of chemical research to art, science
for chemistry in Zurich. and technology. Chemical research blends
The motto of UZH 175th anniversary the artisan’s craft with the philosopher’s
*Correspondence: Prof. Dr. J. S. Siegel
Institute of Organic Chemistry
is Wissen Teilen (Sharing Knowledge) dilemma, and as such spans the breadth of
University of Zurich to which a corollary would be − Wissen scholarly activities from pure philosophy to
Winterthurerstrasse 190 schaffen durch Wissen teilen − (Sharing applied engineering sciences. Chemistry is
CH-8006 Zurich Knowledge by Seeking Knowledge). This a crucial part of any well-educated citizen’s
Tel.: +41 44 635 4281
Fax: +41 44 635 6888 embodies the idea that a balanced univer- schooling, and an essential component of
E-mail: jss@oci.uzh.ch sity chemistry program displays a dedica- any prosperous nation’s industrial technol-
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 69
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
ogy. Switzerland as a nation and Zurich as Werner and Karrer). As scholarly as that So it has been since the early days. The
a Canton, have reaped demonstrable eco- program was, it was equally clear that the groups of Werner and Karrer were always
nomic and intellectual benefits from their many facets and broad reaching implica- large and broadly representative of the na-
strong chemical heritage, and the invest- tions of chemistry could not be covered in tions of the world.
ment in the future of Chemistry remains one institution. When the Polytechnikum, One poignant example of Zurich’s early
a clever strategy for a society dependent now known as the ETH, was established in international standing and synergistic in-
upon innovation in medicine, materials and 1856, the complementarity of the two in- teractions between UZH and ETH comes
manufacturing. stitutions raised Zurich higher in the inter- from three Japanese scientists who studied
Today, with two of Europe’s strongest national scales than either institution could with Willstätter and Werner during the year
academic institutions only a stone’s throw claim alone. The independent missions of 1910. Yuji Shibata, Rikou Majima, and Ya-
apart, Zurich remains a thriving hub for these two institutions enabled each to grow suhiko Asahina all completed postdoctoral
molecular science and related bio/nano strong through cooperative competition. stays in Zurich in 1910, and returned to
technologies. The present standing follows The university with a stronger emphasis on Japan to found the fields of modern coor-
from a tradition in research, dedication to fundamental research and a liberal peda- dination chemistry, pharmaceutical chem-
teaching, and vision toward the future. gogical program is associated with many istry and organic chemistry, respectively.
Excitement over the exploration of the revolutionary changes in the conception of The accomplishments of these three men
molecular world combined with the socially chemistry. Paul Karrer expressed this same in altering the face of modern chemistry
responsive reportage of one’s findings has sentiment ca. 50 years ago. I paraphrase his in Japan are amply documented in histori-
earmarked the legions of scholars at UZH words here: cal works, all of which cite their respective
who have earned their wings as Chemists. Numerous fundamental developments times in Zurich. That they knew each other
During this period, they have forged strong in chemistry are associated with Zurich. and socialized collectively during their Zu-
personal ties to mentors and built lifelong The high standard of chemical science pur- rich days is documented in a now famous
networks that support them throughout sued by Zurich’s two academic institutions tourist photo (Fig. 1). Three such influential
their professional lives. This band of alu- is responsible to a significant extent for the figures, two leading chemical research cen-
mini (and of course alumnae) came from all advance of chemistry at its roots and for ters, one great city!
over the globe to Zurich and now represents the support of a strong and vibrant Swiss The latter groups, such as Schwarzen-
the UZH tradition as leaders of industry and industry. Few cities can boast such accom- bach, Schmid and Clusius, also benefited
academia worldwide. Their contribution plishments. greatly from an international mix of stu-
to the UZH experience provides a strong Indeed, rare are the cities of the world dents. Indeed the university, from concep-
history upon which current students can that can boast two leading academic institu- tion to today, boasts of a cosmopolitan
build. tions, which together provide the citizenry working environment.
Chemistry in Zurich has molded cul- with an intellectual environment so condu- Local and international ‘Nachwuchs’,
tural, political and economic aspects of cive to the pursuit of enterprise and to the or youth development, was an early forte
society. The discipline is wed to the Swiss personal development of its future genera- of the Zurich school, and was driven by the
(Zurcher) way of life. One could even pon- tions. Modern chemistry, as it is pursued in vision of the patriarchs. In addition to the
der the abbreviation for Switzerland (CH) greater Zurich environment, continues this Japanese anecdote above, numerous chem-
as coming more from Chemistry than from tradition. istry professors and industry leaders came
Confoederatio Helvetica. Conrad Hans Eugster published a de- from the labs on Rämistrasse.
tailed history of the first 150 years of UZH
chemical heritage in German 25 years ago.
Chemistry in Canton Zurich In this issue, Gillian Harvey has produced a
translation of this work into English. Start-
In 1833, a new university formally ing from this as a basis for the historical
opened in Zurich, a city with centuries of record, special focus articles highlight the
scholarly ecumenical activity as well as individual institutes of chemistry: 75 years
extensive recognition for medicinal stud- of Physical Chemistry by Professor Robert
ies. The founders, such as Orelli, had the Huber, the Werner tradition in Inorganic
vision that this University should be for all Chemistry by Professor Heinz Berke and
of Switzerland, and should have an inter- colleagues, and the last 25 years in Organic
national reputation as a leading house for Chemistry by Professor Heinz Heimgartner
liberal thought. and me.
The first Rector, a Physician and Natural Another important part of the UZH
Philosopher by background, was dedicated chemical legacy is the collection of research
to an academic program founded in the re- samples preserved from the researcher pro-
search and development of new knowledge. grams of Werner, Karrer, Schmid and Eug-
Chemistry, with its fundamental mission ster. Nathaniel Finney provides a perspec-
to create new forms of matter and control tive on these collections in an article that
their transformations, featured prominently traces the chemical history of UZH through
in this plan. The importance of chemistry these research collections.
was highlighted with a charter chaired full
professor and the recognition that the pur-
suit of chemistry meant a commitment to An International Program for
the technologies of its investigation. Chemical Research
It is well known that the soil for 19th
century chemistry was extremely fertile The student composition at UZH should Fig. 1. Yuji Shibata, Rikou Majima and Yasuhiko
and led propitiously to some of Switzer- also reflect its international position of stat- Asahina sharing a social day in Zurich during
land’s earliest Nobel Prize winners (cf. ure as a major hub for chemical research. their postdoctoral studies in 1910
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 70
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
With Bologna reforms in curricula, mo-
bility among universities of different coun-
tries should become easier and the student
body should become even more interna-
tional. A liberalization of the curriculum to
afford students a chance to pursue more in-
terdisciplinary areas is greatly anticipated.
The international flavor is highly prized at
UZH, and our program continues to evolve
to accommodate students from all science
study backgrounds into chemistry.
As with all present day global ventures,
the use of English as a lingua franca great-
ly facilitates intercultural exchange, and in
this spirit teaching in Chemistry at UZH
prepares students for a global career. Mixed
international character, English discussion,
and a liberal curriculum, make UZH a pro-
gressive chemical research environment.
The international tradition of UZH has
grown with time. Today the student and
professorial ranks are broadly populated
with the best scientists from Europe, Asia
and the Americas. Chemistry at UZH is
thus best seen as an international program Fig. 2. Werner’s text Fig. 3. Karrer’s text
in the service of Canton Zurich.
Within the ‘Fachbereich’ for Chemis-
try and Biochemistry, a new joint venture groundbreaking text (Fig. 2). This text has tory manual that covered the broad aspects
has developed in the form of the Graduate recently received an award from the His- of practical chemistry in two volumes.
School for Chemical and Molecular Sci- tory of Chemistry Division of the American New modern day advances in the practi-
ences, Zurich (CMSZH). Dr. Ferdinand Chemical Society as a most influential text cal laboratory include plans to meld Organ-
Wild and Professor Roland Sigel provide in the development of chemistry. ic, Inorganic and Physical laboratories into
an outline of the new program, its require- Karrer wrote a text on Organic chemis- a unified comprehensive training/research
ments, benefits and motivations. Such co- try that was internationally renowned as the lab experience. The addition of automation
operative programs throughout the faculty ‘Karrer’s Bible’ (Fig. 3). The book carried for process development and optimization
of math and natural science provide strong through 13 editions and was translated into in upper division practical work, harmo-
networks for research students to obtain numerous international languages, includ- nize well with our Academic/Industry joint
broad training, while staying on the cutting- ing Russian and Japanese. Professor Emeri- venture, the Laboratorium für Prozessfor-
edge of research in chemistry. tus André Dreiding fondly recalls his time schung (LPF).
as a student at Columbia University in New The modern concept of chemistry cer-
York. He notes that, at that time, Karrer’s tainly could not be taught without the aid
Dedication to Teaching text was considered the authoritative text. provided by reliable molecular models. No
Karrer structured his book based on func- matter the quality of new computer simula-
Not only is chemistry at UZH one of the tional groups and substance classes. The tions, chemists and common folk still have
oldest formally structured disciplines, but book included many experimental details, a fascination for hand-held models. Here
it has also been a focus point for teaching and a selection of appendices with valuable too UZH was at the forefront. An excep-
and curricular development. The univer- empirical data. tional set of models were developed by
sity forefathers understood the importance Schwarzenbach’s text on General and In- André Dreiding. Every student of confor-
of chemistry and established a chair for organic Chemistry set a new level in present- mational analysis has benefited enormously
chemistry among the inaugural professor- ing a broad vision and underlying principles from ‘Dreiding Models’ (Fig. 4).
ships. The pedagogical prowess of the first of chemistry to the introductory student. This This tradition in the development of
Professor of Chemistry, Carl Jakob Löwig, tradition in providing pedagogically sound new curricula continually energizes us to
was known locally for his elegant lecture textbooks has continued (see Table 1). consider our discipline more broadly and
style and internationally for his acclaimed As well, practical training at UZH has more deeply. The recent establishment of
textbook on general chemistry. The impor- been at the forefront of instruction, concep- a bachelor’s and master’s program in Busi-
tance placed on practical work as part of tually and technologically. Laboratory train- ness Chemistry (Wirtschaftschemie) at
the education was strong, and systematic ing for students dates back to the beginning UZH marks the first such program in Swit-
methods in the laboratory were paramount, of UZH, and has led the way forward with zerland, and has led to an increased interest
as illustrated in Städeler’s handbook for the numerous innovations over the years. Today, and number of entering students to chem-
systematic qualitative analysis of chemical it is fashionable to speak of green chem- istry study. Professor Stefan Seeger, the
species. istry and sustainability, but already in the founder of the Business Chemistry program
Werner, in 1904, made major advances 1990s the Zurich Model was well known as at UZH, depicts this full-fledged chemistry
in the teaching of stereochemistry through an efficient structure for a laboratory class course of study in his article.
his book on the topic, and in the same year, oriented toward protecting the environment Additional changes in the program will
he revolutionized chemical research and ed- and reducing waste, while still providing no doubt continue to lead the way in evolv-
ucation by effectively creating and structur- substantial training.[1] In 1994, Fischer and ing how the chemical course of study is
ing the field of inorganic chemistry in one Eugster published through VHCA a labora- conceived. As more and more of chemical
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 71
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
Table 1. Selected historical textbooks from the Chemistry Institutes UZH with great sentiment his time at UZH as a
Professor Title Year Publisher
doctoral student with Karrer. His training
on the systematic approach to the isolation
Theory (Lecture) Textbooks and characterization of natural products,
Karl J Löwig Lehrbuch der Chemie: mit besonderer Berück- 1832 Engelmann,
learned during his UZH experience, guided
sichtigung des technischen und medizinischen Heidelberg him to be a meticulous professional medici-
Theils. nal chemist. Through this act of becoming
Chemie der organischen Verbindungen 1838 Vieweg, Braunschweig
a ‘prepared mind’, he prepared himself to
(2 editions) 1947 realize the nature and importance of his
chance discovery.
Alfred Werner Neuere Anschauungen auf dem Gebiete der 1904 Vieweg & Sohn, Training in how to approach problems
anorganischen Chemie Braunschweig
from a chemical/molecular perspective
Lehrbuch der Stereochemie 1904 Gustav Fischer, Jena prepares one for a variety of career paths.
Paul Karrer Lehrbuch der organischen Chemie 1927 Thieme, Stuttgart Another more recent alumnus, Dr. Volkan
(14 editions) Kísakürek, became the principal editor of
Karl W Nägeli Lehrbuch der Chemie für Mediziner 1935 Thieme, Stuttgart Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta, which is re-
sponsible for publishing an enormous num-
Oppenheimer‘s Grundriss der organischen Che- 1938 Thieme, Stuttgart ber of books and research articles reporting
mie. 15th edition
ground-breaking results of Swiss and other
Gerold Allgemeine und anorganische Chemie: ein ein- 1941 Thieme, Stuttgart scientists. Graduates of UZH chemistry
Schwarzenbach faches Lehrbuch auf neuzeitlicher Grundlage
have taken on various careers in academia,
H. Labhart, Einführung in die Physikalische Chemie 1975 Springer-Verlag. industry, finance, law, etc.
Berlin As a tribute to our alumni and in celebra-
Georges Wagniere Introduction to Elementary Molecular Orbital 1976 Springer-Verlag, tion of the alumni tradition, several former
Theory and to Semiempirical Methods Berlin students with close remaining ties to UZH
have provided a series of personal perspec-
tives or short profiles of their experience at
Practical Textbooks
UZH and in their latter career. Since their
Georg A K Städeler Leitfaden für die qualitative chemische Analyse 1861 Orell Füssli, Zürich time at UZH, they have become Professors,
unorganischer Körper (3 editions) Founders of Companies, Heads of Industri-
Manfred Hesse, Spektroskopische Methoden in der organischen 1995 Thieme, Stuttgart al Research, Patent Attorneys, among other
Herbert Meier, Chemie careers. They clearly illustrate how person-
Bernd Zeeh 7. Auflage 2005 ally beneficial a UZH training can be.
Hans Fischer, Praktikum in Allgemeiner Chemie (Ein umwelt- 1994/95 VCHA-VCH
Conrad Eugster schonendes Programm für Studienanfänger mit
Versuchen zur Chemikalien- Rückgewinnung), A Tradition of Giving
Teil I, Allgemeine und Anorganische Chemie,
Teil II, Organische und Physikalische Chemie.
The support of chemistry at UZH has
not been restricted to purely academic pur-
suits. UZH has a long history of supporting
hypotheses are founded on the basis of our Alumni – An Important Extended innovation and industrial entrepreneurial
ability to control material structure at the Chemical Family activity. Numerous chemists have had the
molecular level, a move toward teaching opportunity to start business-oriented en-
the skills underpinning the design, synthe- No surprise that after 175 years a large
sis and analysis of molecules as a collective number of undergraduate and doctoral
and synergistic activity will become more students, as well as post-doctoral and ha-
prominent. Molecular design and synthesis bilitation researchers, have contributed to
could well serve as a theme that unites re- and benefited from the chemistry program
search and teaching in the molecular sci- at UZH. Some, like Professor Yuji Shibata
ences. (mentioned above), come from far lands
and subsequently return home to revolu-
tionize chemistry in their home country.
Others are born only a stone’s throw from
the chemical laboratories, perhaps at the
Unispital, and they remain in Zurich teach-
ing and mentoring the next generation. No
matter their background or career path, they
received a fundamental formation of their
intellectual character through study and re-
search at UZH.
One of our most revolutionary alumni
is the centenarian Dr. Albert Hofmann (Fig.
5). He revolutionized the world with his
discovery of LSD and his realization that
there could be entire families of chemical Fig. 5. Alumnus Dr. Albert Hofmann at his
species that act selectively on the human centennial birthday celebration in the Irchel
Fig. 4. Dreiding models conscience. At 102, he still remembers Campus
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 72
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
terprises as spin-offs or seed ventures of and concerned community members have allow students to find affordable housing
the University. Two of the most successful found personal satisfaction from donating in Zurich during their study time. Through
ventures led to the formation of Polyphor time and finances to support chemistry at such donations, the alumni not only give
and Carbogen. Alumni perspectives of UZH in recognition of a benevolent Alma back to UZH, but also create opportuni-
these two founding groups tell a bit about mater. ties for their academic younger cousins to
the fertile environment provided by UZH The tradition of giving from chemis- enjoy the golden research experience that
chemistry. try’s alumni and emeriti has been long and only an institution of the quality of UZH
As noted in the article from Carbogen’s generous. Even in the 1800s, the tradition can provide.
founders, UZH’s support of start-up and of giving back to UZH in thanks for years The Legerlotz Stiftung also has provi-
spin-off enterprises has had a positive in- of scholarly support and to foster an even sions to support the purchase of major in-
fluence on our broader vision of personal better intellectual environment for future strumentation. Key advancements to the
development offerings in chemistry. In generations, was strong. Perhaps the first chemistry infrastructure have been enabled
2003, after the untimely death of LPF Di- formal fund was established in the late over the years due to this fund. The entire
rector, Max Rey, UZH took over control 1800s as the ‘Merz Legat’. This legacy chemistry community is deeply indebted to
of the LPF and developed the labs into an funded the acquisition of much needed Dr. Legerlotz and his family for their excep-
institute dedicated to the training of post- research monographs related to chemistry tional generosity.
doctoral researchers in process chemistry. for the library.
In this short history, the LPF has trained Since that seminal act of giving, several
and placed in professional career positions members of the UZH chemical family and/ Bestowing of Honors in
over 20 postdoctoral chemists. Companies or their relations have made donation to Appreciation of Excellence
such as Cilag, Siegfried, Lonza, Fluka advance chemistry. Notable are the funds
(SAFC), EMS-Dottikon, among others, administered by the university, such as the Another area where community support
now benefit from chemists trained at the Alfred Werner Legat, donated by the fam- has raised the stature of UZH chemistry,
new LPF. ily of Alfred Werner, and the Betty Sassella is through funds for awarding of interna-
As of 2007, UZH has revitalized the ap- Legat. The Werner Legat has grown into a tional prizes in recognition of excellence in
prentice program in chemistry through the substantial and influential fund on campus. chemistry. At present, the Karrer Stiftung,
appointment of a dedicated ‘Lehrmeister’ The Legat provides research funds for ac- Siegfried Corporation, and Albert Hofmann
in charge of a fully outfitted ‘Lehrlabor’. quisition of small research equipment, and Centennial funds, enable us to award the
The program already has enlisted six young recognizes accomplishments of our finest internationally received, Karrer, Siegfried
chemistry apprentices. Together with ETHZ students through achievement awards. The and Albert Hofmann Centennial Medals,
and Givaudan, the UZH program becomes Sassella Legat supports inter-collegial ac- respectively (Fig. 6).
one of the cornerstone programs for a broad tivities that enrich scholarly life. The Foundation for the Paul Karrer Lec-
chemistry apprenticeship with synthetic In addition, private foundations dedi- ture was established in 1959 by the compa-
and analytic expert training. The goal is to cated to specific activities in the various nies: CIBA AG, J.R. Geigy, F. Hoffmann-La
grow the program to an equilibrium enroll- chemical institutes, contribute. The Dr. Roche & Co. AG, Sandoz AG, Société des
ment of close to 20 young chemists (ages Helmut Legerlotz-Stiftung provides post- Produits Nestlé AG and Dr. A. Wander AG.
16−20). doctoral stipends to outstanding chemists, The intention of the donors was to honor con-
Consideration of the ‘Kinder’ and ‘Se- pursuing research in Organic chemistry. tributions to the development of chemistry
nioren’lecture programs and numerous pub- The Prof. Dr. Hans E. Schmid-Stiftung made by Paul Karrer. The Foundation invites,
lic lecture series in addition to the normal was established to aid co-workers of the either annually or biannually, outstanding re-
curriculum and special programs like the OCI. In memory of Professor Schmid’s ex- searchers in the field of chemistry to present a
apprentice study and LPF internships, UZH emplary leadership and untimely passing, scientific lecture at the University of Zurich.
strives to provide to the citizens of Canton this fund now allows international students Among the recipients are nine Nobel Prize
Zurich personal development opportunities of exceptional quality to pursue Master’s winners for chemistry and for medicine, and
for all ages and educational levels. For 175 studies at UZH. As no formal funding they have represented nearly all important
years, takes pride in being Canton Zurich’s mechanism exists for MS stipends, these research institutions of Europe and the USA.
major educational opportunity provider. funds make a critical difference in the lives The most recent recipient, 2007, was Profes-
Appreciation from the faculty students, of exceptional young scholars. sor Steve Ley of Cambridge University. Pro-
and community, for the rich intellectual cli- In addition to enabling individu- fessor Ley contributes to this issue with an
mate of the Chemical Institutes, has been als through stipends, the Legerlotz Stif- account of his award lecture.
strong over the years. Already back around tung provides apartments in a so-called The Siegfried company, in conjunction
the turn of last century, alumni, emeriti ‘Legerlotzhaus’. These accommodations with the Institute of Organic Chemistry of
Fig. 6. The Karrer, Siegfried, and Hofmann Centennial Medals
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 73
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
the University of Zurich and its Laboratory science. The third annual event of the DCH Werner was the first president of the Swiss
for Process Research (LPF), established symposium will be celebrated May 9, 2008 Chemical Society and played a role in the
the Siegfried Medal to recognize outstand- on the Irchel Campus. This year’s speakers development of Helvetica Chimica Acta as
ing achievements and original research in include: Joanne Stubbe (MIT); Judith How- a Swiss journal of chemistry. Essentially
chemical processes, carried out in academic ard (Durham); Makiko Sodeoka (Riken); all key chemists from UZH have over the
and/or industrial laboratories. The award and Anne Weber (Merck). years served the chemical society as presi-
is made biennially and consists of a gold dent and or as head of the editorial board
medal and an honorarium. The next Sieg- of Helvetica.
fried Symposium and Medal awarding is The ‘Stiftung für Stipendien auf dem
scheduled for September 4th, 2008, at the Gebiete der Chemie’ was founded in 1944
Kongresshaus in Zurich.[2] with Paul Karrer as President. This fund
The Hofmann Centennial celebration provides fellowships to young research-
was established on the occasion of Albert ers starting out their career in Switzerland.
Hofmann’s 100th birthday, January 12, Initially these were habilitation stipend and
2006. In 2006, UZH held a Hofmann sym- now it has evolved into a six-year assistant
posium with three lectures. Dr. Hofmann, an professor fellowship.
illustrious and colorful Alumnus of UZH, Stimulating scientific exchange though
attended the celebration and demonstrated scholarly meetings provides a special way
his prowess in natural products chemistry to create a sense of community. On a grand
even at age 100. His many advances to scale, Karrer served a term as president
medicine through his investigation of natu- of IUPAC and organizer of the 14th in-
ral product alkaloid chemistry, make him an ternational congress. A more intimate but
appropriate symbol for a medal recogniz- Excellence in teaching is as important extremely influential conference venue is
ing excellence in chemistry related to life as research. To celebrate Karrer’s contribu- the Buergenstock conference, which is the
sciences. In 2007, the Hofmann Centennial tion to teaching organic chemistry and to brain child of Professor André Dreiding.
Medal was awarded to HRH Princess Chu- honor great teacher/scholars from around The 43th Buergenstock conference will
labhorn Mahidol as inaugural recipient, for the world, the OCI offers a special ‘Karrer- take place April 12−18, 2008.
her excellence in pursuing Thailand’s natu- Givaudan Distinguished Visiting Professor In addition to these selected examples,
ral products for their important medicinal of Organic Chemistry’. Started in 2005, al- today’s chemists at UZH sit on the advi-
behavior. ready six great organic chemists have come sory or directors’ boards of numerous so-
The first Hofmann Centennial medal to UZH to teach short special topics in or- cieties, foundations, and companies. They
was awarded as part of the Dorothy Crow- ganic chemistry. hold key positions as editors of major peer
foot Hodgkin Symposium (Fig. 7), found- reviewed journals and routinely organize
ed in 2006 by Professor Kim Baldridge as international meetings for chemistry. Thus,
an international sister event to the Maria Leadership in the Chemical the tradition of leadership in the community
Goeppart-Mayer Symposium, which Pro- Community lives on.
fessor Baldridge also developed and ran
for 12 years in San Diego, California. Both Chemists from Zurich were also key
symposia serve to showcase the research/ players in the establishment and leading of Laboratories and Analytical
scholarly achievements of great women in key scholarly societies and journals. Alfred Infrastructure for Molecular
Sciences
The dedication to state-of-the-art in-
frastructure has enhanced chemical re-
search over the years. Already at the time
of UZH’s founding, the need for laborato-
ries and chemical apparatus/instrumenta-
tion was recognized. In 1909, the Canton
of Zurich built Werner’s chemical labora-
tory, which now houses the Law School and
the renowned Calatrava Law library. In the
1970s, the vision of the Irchel campus took
form, and Chemistry was among the first
institutes constructed. Close to 30 years of
active research later, the laboratories are
well in form and function. Although speci-
fications were set for a time well before the
most modern safety and energy efficient
installations, the labs were still custom de-
signed far ahead of their time.
Advances in instrumentation play an
enabling role for chemistry, and UZH has
maintained a forefront position in ana-
lytical infrastructure through the develop-
ment and/or acquisition of state-of-the-art
instrumentation. Separations have been
Fig. 7. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Symposium founded by Professor Baldridge in 2006 established in science, just as Clusius’ ap-
175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH 74
CHIMIA 2008, 62, No. 3
paratus for separation of isotopes or numer- Table 2. Important 2008 events in Chemistry associated with UZH
ous chromatographic methods forwarded Date Event Location URL
mechanistic physical chemistry as well as
natural product and biosynthesis studies. April 12-18 Bürgenstock Fürigen, Nidwalden http://www.stereochemistry-
Some of the first fluorescence and NMR Conference buergenstock.ch/
spectral facilities enabled great advances April 19 Faculty Day for the Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.175jahre.uzh.ch/
in structural chemistry. An emphasis on Natural Sciences fakultaeten/naturwissenschaft.html
mass spectroscopic technologies permitted April 20-25 Roald Hoffmann Irchel Campus - UZH
the study of chemical components, even in Lectures
trace quantities. May 9 Dorothy Crowfoot Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa/
Hodgkin Symposium dch/2008/index.html
All of this infrastructure growth led to
the development of dedicated analytical May 14-15 CMSZH Graduate Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.cmszh.uzh
Symposium
chemistry research services. Today, NMR,
May 27 Georg Fràter Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa/
X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, Symposium Frater/
absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy, au- June 22-July 5 Zurich School of Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa/
tomation and computation, define a virtual Crystallography xtal_school/index.html
Analytical Infrastructure for the Molecular September 4 Siegfried Symposium Zurich –Kongresshaus http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa/
Sciences (AIMS). These facilities are main- siegfriedsymposium/index.html
tained at the highest research standard, by September 11 Swiss Chemical Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.swiss-chemistry.ch/
principal investigators with independent re- Society Fall Meeting events
search programs and funding devoted to ad- Fall 08 Albert Hoffman Irchel Campus – UZH http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa
vancing the use and methods development Medal
of these techniques. Fall 08 Paul Karrer UZH Main Building – Aula http://www.oci.uzh.ch/diversa
From the early years onward, UZH has Medal
invested in chemical research, and associat-
ed infrastructure and instrumentation. The
building of new labs on the Rämistrasse for
Werner in 1909 was a major sign of support who daily push forward research frontiers and two others have received special Wer-
from the Canton and the citizenry of Zurich. for the benefit of Canton Zurich, it is cru- ner Assistant Professor Fellowships from
These labs were a model construct for their cial that a timely and technologically sound the Foundation for Stipends in Chemistry.
time and served in their original function building development plan be set into prog- All come from phenomenal backgrounds
until 1978, when the first phase of the Irchel ress early on. and are currently pursuing cutting edge re-
campus opened with new chemical labs, search. The dramatic increase in the enroll-
again built with technologies far ahead of ment beginning students certainly reflects
the times. Special energy saving and safety Chemical Changes since 2000 the ability of these young scholars to con-
technologies were implemented, providing vey the excitement and positive aspects of
truly extraordinary laboratory facilities. The last decade has witnessed an enor- chemistry. These young prodigies carry the
As always, now is the time to plan for mous change to the chemical faculty at torch of Chemistry at the University of Zu-
the future. Within 10 years, the expecta- UZH. Roughly a dozen new professors have rich, supported by a rich chemical tradition,
tions from the community will be high for established research/teaching programs a continuing dedication to research and
university laboratories to be ‘green’, envi- within this time. Particularly significant is teaching excellence, and modern vision for
ronmentally sound, and equipped with in- the formal recruitment of Assistant Profes- the evolution of the molecular sciences.
frastructure based on sustainable technolo- sors as a commitment to the development
gies. Such developments are possible, and of new talent. Such new faces add a vitality
would again place UZH at the forefront in and youthfulness to the program that well [1] H. Fischer, Chimia 1991, 45, 77−80.
academic infrastructure for the natural sci- rounds out the more senior programs. These [2] http:/www.oci.unizh.ch/diversa/
siegfriedsymposiumindex.shtml or
ences. Given the literally billions of Swiss young scientists represent the best, chosen www.siegfried.ch
francs invested in highly sensitive research from a highly competitive international [3] http:/www.oci.unizh.ch/diversa/dch/2008
equipment as well as the lives and safety of pool of candidates. At the current time, two
the thousands of students and co-workers have been awarded SNF professorships,
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