Richard Norman (chemist)

Richard Norman (1932-1993) was a British chemist best known for his contributions to organic chemistry, particularly in the areas of reaction mechanisms, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and polar reactions. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

Norman received his D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in 1957 under the supervision of W.A. Waters. He subsequently held academic positions at Oxford University, ultimately becoming a Fellow of Merton College.

His research focused on understanding the mechanisms of organic reactions, using ESR spectroscopy to identify and characterize free radical intermediates. He also made significant contributions to the study of electrophilic substitution reactions on aromatic compounds and the understanding of polar reactions in general.

Norman was a prolific author, co-authoring the influential textbook Principles of Organic Synthesis, which became a standard text for undergraduate chemistry students. The book emphasized the mechanistic understanding of organic reactions and helped shape the way organic chemistry was taught.

His key contributions include advancements in the use of ESR spectroscopy for studying reaction mechanisms, particularly in the study of radical reactions. He was recognized for his work in elucidating the steps involved in a variety of organic transformations.

In summary, Richard Norman was a prominent organic chemist who made lasting contributions to the field through his research on reaction mechanisms, his pioneering use of ESR spectroscopy, and his widely used textbook on organic synthesis.