Willstätter

Willstätter refers to Richard Willstätter, a prominent German chemist. Born in 1872, he became renowned for his work on plant pigments and alkaloids. His research led to the isolation and structural elucidation of important compounds such as chlorophyll and the active ingredients in ipecac and cocaine. Willstätter's meticulous experimental methods and groundbreaking discoveries earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1915 for his investigations on plant coloring matter, especially chlorophyll. He also made significant contributions to the understanding of enzymes and the development of synthetic drugs. Throughout his career, he held professorships at several prestigious institutions, including the universities of Munich and Berlin. Willstätter's legacy lies in his profound impact on organic chemistry, particularly in the field of natural product chemistry, and his dedication to rigorous scientific inquiry. He passed away in 1942.