2021-05-11 Tue

Odd Hassel Norwegian physical chemist and co-recipient, with Derek H.R. Barton of Great Britain, of the 1969 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work in establishing conformational analysis (the study of the three-dimensional geometric structure of molecules).

Hassel was born on 17th May 1897, in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway. 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.

He began intensive research on the structure of cyclohexane and its derivatives in 1930 and discovered the existence of two forms of cyclohexane. At this time he set forth the basic tenets of conformational analysis and wrote Kristallchemie (1934; Crystal Chemistry). After the mid-1950s Hassel’s research dealt mainly with the structure of organic halogen compounds.

To honor him Norwegian Postal Department has issued a stamp of value 5.50 Corona Noruega.

Image Source: colnect.com