A Debt Repaid. Ernest L. Eliel's Life Made Possible by Five Years in Latin America^*

Jeffrey I. Seeman

Department of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia 23173 USA

Received July 31, 2009
Accepted October 30, 2009

Abstract

A review is presented of Ernest L. Eliel's contributions and dedication to chemists and chemistry in Latin American, in general, and México, in particular. During his long and productive career as a successful academic (and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences), Eliel taught many students from Latin America. During an equally long and productive 'extra–curricular' professional career, Eliel was Chairman of the Board of the American Chemical Society (ACS), president of the ACS, and chair as well as a member of a number of ACS committees dealing with international activities. It was through those associations as well as through his scientific achievements that he was able to have great influence and positive effect on the chemistry in developing countries, in general, and in México, in particular.

Keywords: Ernest L. Eliel, Stereochemistry, Chemical Societies, Chemistry in Latin America.

Resumen

Se relatan las contribuciones del Dr. Ernest L. Eliel para apoyar el desarrollo de la química en América Latina en general, y en México en particular. En efecto, además de su extensa y fructífera labor académica, que lo llevó a ser miembro de la Academia de Ciencias de los Estados Unidos, Eliel participó en la formación de muchos estudiantes latinoamericanos. Además, Eliel fue Coordinador del Consejo Directivo de la Sociedad Estadounidense de Química (ACS por sus siglas en inglés), Presidente de la ACS, y coordinador de varios comités de la ACS dedicados a asuntos internacionales. A través de estas actividades y también como resultado de la calidad e impacto de sus logros científicos, Eliel tuvo una notable influencia y un impacto muy positivo sobre el avance de la química en países latinoamericanos, en particular en México.

Palabras clave: Ernest L. Eliel, estereoquímica, sociedades químicas, química en América Latina.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Eusebio Juaristi for his kind and thoughtful invitation to write this paper, Patrick Shea (archivist, Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia, PA for assistance in locating the required files and the Chemical Heritage Foundation for its gracious hospitality), and Mauricio Fortes, Bradley Miller (ACS), and Juaristi for providing helpful information and photographs. Some of the photographs used herein have appeared in Eliel's autobiography [1] and my biography of him [2]. Photographs not specifically credited were provided by Ernest for references [1] and [2] and are used herein courtesy of Eva Eliel. Most of all, the author writes this article in honor of his friend and colleague Ernest L. Eliel who was one of his "hidden advisors."

References

1. Eliel, E. L. From Cologne to Chapel Hill, In Profiles, Pathways and Dreams; Seeman, J. I., Ed.; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., 1990.         [ Links ]

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5. Shea, P. to Seeman, J. I., personal communication (e–mail), Eliel's Archives, Philadelphia, PA, July 16, 2009.

6. This manuscript is not, however, a research study of the various organization and programs with which Ernest and his colleagues were associated. Such a study is far outside the scope and intention of this article.

7. For further details of Ernest's life, please see his autobiography "From Cologne to Chapel Hill" and my biography "Ernest L. Eliel: A life of purpose, determination, and integrity" cited in references 1 and 2, respectively.

8. Eliel, E. L. "A Western European Experience from Years Past," 1992, Chapel Hill, NC (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. ACS President 1992 file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).         [ Links ]

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52. Eliel, E. L. to Palomo, A. M., personal communication (letter), Chapel Hill, NC, July 17, 1996 (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. Mexico file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).

53. See http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_ARTICLEMAIN&node_id=1319&content_id=CTP_004545&use_sec=true&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=844de79c–02df–4233–8d5a–f2efefe17b9d; accessed October 26, 2009.

55. See http://www.chiral.com/medal.htm; accessed October 26, 2009.

56. Eliel, E. L. to Speakers at symposium honoring E. L. Eliel, personal communication (letter), Chapel Hill, NC, November 7, 1991 (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel, Mexico Symposium (birthday) file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).

57. Eliel, E. L. to Aréchiga U., H., personal communication (letter), Chapel Hill, NC, July 17, 1991 (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. Mexico file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).

58. Eliel, E. L. to Aréchiga U., H., personal communication (letter), Chapel Hill, NC, October 21, 1991 (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. Mexico file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).

59. Eliel, E. L. to Contreras, R., personal communication (letter), Chapel Hill, NC, October 21, 1991 (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. Mexico file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).

60. Eliel, E. L. "Past President Report to [ACS] Council," August 25, 1993, Chapel Hill, NC (Chemical Heritage Foundation, Philadelphia. Records of Ernest L. Eliel. ACS President 1992 file. Chemical Heritage Foundation Archives).         [ Links ]

Note