Robert S. Mulliken

Robert Sanderson Mulliken was born on June 7, 1896, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA. He was the son of Samuel Parsons Mulliken, a professor of organic chemistry. Robert Mulliken would go on to become a distinguished scientist known for his work in molecular orbital theory, for which he would later receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

In 1921, Robert S. Mulliken received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago. His doctoral work involved studying the separation and analysis of isotopes, a cutting-edge field at the time. This foundational work set the stage for his later contributions to molecular theory and quantum chemistry.

In 1932, Robert S. Mulliken published his seminal work on molecular orbital theory. This publication was crucial as it introduced the concept that electrons in a molecule are not assigned to individual bonds between atoms but are treated as moving under the influence of the nuclei in the entire molecule. This theory represented a major shift in chemical theory and laid the groundwork for modern quantum chemistry.

Robert S. Mulliken was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on December 10, 1966, for his fundamental work concerning chemical bonds and the electronic structure of molecules by the molecular orbital method. His theoretical insights not only clarified the structure and behavior of molecules but also had practical implications for the development of materials and pharmaceuticals.

Robert S. Mulliken passed away on October 31, 1986, in Arlington, Virginia, USA. At the time of his death, Mulliken was celebrated as a pioneering chemist who had not only advanced the field of quantum chemistry but had influenced generations of chemists and scientists through his innovative theories and teaching.