Benjamin List

Benjamin List was born on January 11, 1968, in Frankfurt, Germany. He is a renowned chemist known for his work in organic chemistry, particularly asymmetric catalysis. His contributions to the field have been groundbreaking, and he has received numerous awards for his research. List was born into a prominent academic family, and his early exposure to science and academia paved the way for his successful career.

In 2000, Benjamin List published a seminal paper on asymmetric organocatalysis which laid the foundation for a new and exciting field in chemistry. His work demonstrated how small organic molecules can be used to catalyze chemical reactions, a concept that has since been applied widely in asymmetric synthesis. This paper marked a turning point in the development of more sustainable chemical processes.

Benjamin List became a director at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research on May 14, 2003. In this position, he continued to advance the field of organocatalysis and expanded his research into new areas of catalysis. Under his guidance, the institute became a leading center for chemical research, and List's pioneering work influenced many young chemists and researchers around the world.

In 2007, Benjamin List and his team at the Max Planck Institute developed a novel class of N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysts. These catalysts have unique properties that enable them to facilitate a wide range of chemical reactions with improved efficiency. This development opened new avenues for research in organocatalysis and has been widely adopted in various synthetic applications.

In 2008, Benjamin List expanded his research on enantioselective catalysis, exploring new methods for creating chiral molecules with high precision and selectivity. This work addressed significant challenges in synthetic chemistry and contributed to the development of more sustainable chemical processes. List's research in this area has had a lasting impact on the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

In 2012, Benjamin List received the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, considered one of the most important research awards in Germany. This award recognized his extraordinary work in the development of organocatalysis and his contributions to making chemical processes more efficient and environmentally friendly. The prize brought further recognition to his groundbreaking research and solidified his reputation as a pioneering chemist.

In 2013, Benjamin List published a comprehensive review on the field of asymmetric organocatalysis. This work provided an in-depth overview of the development and applications of organocatalysis, summarizing the progress made in the field and highlighting the potential for future research. The review became a highly-cited resource for chemists around the world, further establishing his authority in this area.

In 2015, Benjamin List was appointed as the Chairman of the International Symposium on Homogeneous Catalysis. This role recognized his leadership and expertise in the field of catalysis, providing him with a platform to influence and guide international research agendas. As chairman, he facilitated discussions on the latest advancements and challenges in catalysis, fostering collaboration among scientists globally.

Benjamin List was elected as a foreign associate of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States in 2017. This election is one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive, acknowledging his significant contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the development of new methods of catalysis. His work has had a profound impact on science, influencing both academic research and industrial applications.

Benjamin List was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2021 along with David W.C. MacMillan for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis, a precise new tool for molecular construction. This revolutionary technique has had a major impact on the pharmaceutical industry, making processes greener and more efficient. The Nobel Committee praised their work for its simplicity and elegance.