Professor Dr Roald Hoffmann

Research Priorities: electronic structure of molecules, molecular orbitals, theory of shapes, spectra and reactions of molecules, organic, inorganic and extended structures, behaviour of matter under high pressure, chemistry teaching, literature
Roald Hoffmann is a US chemist and author. For his research on chemical reactions he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1981, together with Kenichi Fukui from Japan. He has also written poetry and non-fiction books on the connections between chemistry, philosophy and poetry.
Roald Hoffmann’s research is focused on applied theoretical chemistry, developing mathematical or computer-simulated methods for calculating simple orbital-based explanations from electron structures which can be applied to all fields of chemistry. Together with US Chemist Robert B. Woodward, Hoffmann developed the “Woodward‐Hoffmann rules”, a set of quantum mechanical rules that can be used to predict the simplicity or difficulty of certain chemical reactions. The “Woodward‐Hoffmann rules” were developed based on the total synthesis of vitamin B12 carried out by Woodward. Unusual ring closure reactions that were observed experimentally led Woodward and Hoffmann to the so-called rules of symmetry. These rules are an important way of predicting suitable conditions for certain organic reactions (pericyclic reactions) and the stereochemistry (three-dimensional structure of atoms) of their products.
Throughout his scientific career, Roald Hoffmann has always considered himself to be a teacher and pedagogical considerations are of particular importance to him in his research. Thus, he asks how chemistry is “made” and what function it has in culture and society. These reflections have led to numerous essays and books on the philosophy of science and ethics. As an author he also publishes poetry, essays, books and plays, thereby building a bridge between science, philosophy and poetry.