Vladimir Prelog圀椀琀栀 愀渀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀愀渀搀椀渀最 漀昀 琀栀攀 琀攀琀爀愀栀攀搀爀愀氀 渀愀琀甀爀攀 漀昀 琀攀琀爀愀瘀愀氀攀渀琀 挀愀爀戀漀渀Ⰰ 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 挀漀洀瀀漀甀渀搀猀 挀愀渀 戀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 戀礀 愀 瘀愀爀椀攀琀礀 漀昀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀Ⰰ 愀猀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀⸀
㰀椀洀最 愀氀椀最渀㴀爀椀最栀琀 戀漀爀搀攀爀㴀㈀ 猀爀挀㴀∀⸀最椀昀∀㸀
吀栀攀 猀琀椀挀欀Ⰰ 漀爀 䐀攀爀椀搀椀渀最Ⰰ 洀漀搀攀氀 猀栀漀眀猀 琀栀攀 挀愀爀戀漀渀 愀琀 琀栀攀 挀攀渀琀攀爀 漀昀 琀栀攀 琀攀琀爀愀栀攀搀爀漀渀 ⠀搀愀爀欀 最爀愀礀⤀ 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 栀礀搀爀漀最攀渀猀 愀琀 攀愀挀栀 瘀攀爀琀攀砀 ⠀氀椀最栀琀 最爀愀礀⤀㬀 琀栀攀 挀漀瘀愀氀攀渀琀 爀愀搀椀甀猀 漀昀 攀愀挀栀 愀琀漀洀 椀猀 愀瀀瀀爀漀砀椀洀愀琀攀搀 戀礀 琀栀攀 猀椀稀攀 漀昀 琀栀攀 挀漀氀漀爀 戀愀渀搀⸀ 吀栀攀 戀愀氀氀ⴀ愀渀搀ⴀ猀琀椀挀欀 洀漀搀攀氀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀猀 猀椀洀椀氀愀爀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 愀渀搀 椀猀 猀漀洀攀琀椀洀攀猀 攀愀猀椀攀爀 琀漀 瘀椀猀甀愀氀椀稀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 琀爀甀攀 嘀愀渀 搀攀爀圀愀氀氀猀 爀愀搀椀甀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 愀琀漀洀猀 椀猀 戀攀猀琀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀礀 琀栀攀 猀瀀愀挀攀ⴀ昀椀氀氀椀渀最 洀漀搀攀氀 ⠀猀栀漀眀渀 眀椀琀栀 愀 戀愀氀氀ⴀ愀渀搀ⴀ猀琀椀挀欀 漀瘀攀爀氀愀礀⤀⸀ 䴀漀爀攀 挀漀洀瀀氀攀砀 栀礀搀爀漀挀愀爀戀漀渀猀 挀漀渀琀愀椀渀椀渀最 挀愀爀戀漀渀 挀栀愀椀渀猀 挀愀渀 戀攀 昀漀爀洀攀搀 戀礀 挀爀攀愀琀椀渀最 愀搀搀椀琀椀漀渀愀氀 挀愀爀戀漀渀ⴀ挀愀爀戀漀渀 戀漀渀搀猀Ⰰ 愀猀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀 昀漀爀 挀栀愀椀渀猀 挀漀渀琀愀椀渀椀渀最 琀眀漀Ⰰ 昀漀甀爀 愀渀搀 猀椀砀 挀愀爀戀漀渀 愀琀漀洀猀㬀 礀漀甀 猀栀漀甀氀搀 渀漀琀攀 琀栀愀琀 椀渀 琀栀攀猀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀Ⰰ 攀愀挀栀 挀愀爀戀漀渀 爀攀洀愀椀渀猀 戀漀渀搀攀搀 琀漀 昀漀甀爀 漀琀栀攀爀 愀琀漀洀猀 ⠀愀 瘀愀氀攀渀挀攀 漀昀 昀漀甀爀⤀⸀
吀栀攀猀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 愀爀攀 愀氀猀漀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀 椀渀 猀瀀愀挀攀ⴀ昀椀氀氀椀渀最 昀漀爀洀愀琀㨀
圀栀攀渀 瘀椀攀眀椀渀最 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 椀琀 椀猀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀 琀漀 渀漀琀攀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 爀漀琀愀琀椀漀渀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 挀愀爀戀漀渀ⴀ挀愀爀戀漀渀 猀椀渀最氀攀 戀漀渀搀猀 椀猀 最攀渀攀爀愀氀氀礀 瘀攀爀礀 爀愀瀀椀搀 ⠀最爀攀愀琀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 㘀 爀漀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 瀀攀爀 猀攀挀漀渀搀⤀ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 挀栀愀椀渀 挀愀渀 愀猀猀甀洀攀 愀 氀愀爀最攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀猀 ⠀琀攀爀洀攀搀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 椀猀漀洀攀爀猀⤀ 眀栀椀挀栀 愀爀攀 爀愀瀀椀搀氀礀 椀渀琀攀爀挀漀渀瘀攀爀琀攀搀 愀渀搀 挀愀渀渀漀琀 戀攀 猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀攀搀 甀渀搀攀爀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ 䄀 猀愀洀瀀氀攀 漀昀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 椀猀漀洀攀爀猀 昀漀爀 昀漀甀爀ⴀ 愀渀搀 猀椀砀ⴀ挀愀爀戀漀渀 挀栀愀椀渀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀㨀
圀栀椀氀攀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀 氀椀欀攀 琀栀漀猀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 愀戀漀瘀攀 洀漀猀琀 挀氀攀愀爀氀礀 猀栀漀眀 琀栀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 昀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 挀氀攀愀爀 琀栀愀琀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀爀 洀攀琀栀漀搀猀 愀爀攀 渀攀攀搀攀搀 昀漀爀 爀漀甀琀椀渀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀猀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 氀攀愀猀琀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀瘀攀Ⰰ 椀猀 琀栀攀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀愀爀 昀漀爀洀甀氀愀Ⰰ 猀栀漀眀椀渀最 爀愀琀椀漀猀 漀昀 愀琀漀洀猀⸀ 䄀 愀氀琀攀爀渀愀琀椀瘀攀 昀漀爀洀愀琀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀氀 愀琀漀洀猀 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 挀漀瘀愀氀攀渀琀 戀漀渀搀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 椀猀 琀栀攀 ∀氀椀渀攀ⴀ戀漀渀搀∀ 漀爀 䬀攀欀甀氀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀⸀ 圀栀椀氀攀 琀栀椀猀 搀漀攀猀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 爀攀最愀爀搀椀渀最 戀漀渀搀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀Ⰰ 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 漀昀 琀栀椀猀 琀礀瀀攀 愀爀攀 琀攀搀椀甀猀 琀漀 搀爀愀眀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 愀爀攀 洀漀爀攀 挀漀洀洀漀渀氀礀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 甀猀椀渀最 猀漀洀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 愀戀戀爀攀瘀椀愀琀攀搀 ∀挀漀渀搀攀渀猀攀搀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀∀⸀
㰀椀洀最 愀氀椀最渀㴀挀攀渀琀攀爀 猀爀挀㴀∀㔀⸀最椀昀∀㸀
䄀 昀甀爀琀栀攀爀 挀漀渀搀攀渀猀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 猀琀甀爀挀琀甀爀愀氀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 椀猀 愀挀挀漀洀瀀氀椀猀栀攀搀 椀渀 ∀氀椀渀攀∀ 漀爀 ∀猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀∀ 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀椀猀 昀漀爀洀愀琀Ⰰ 攀愀挀栀 瘀攀爀琀攀砀 椀渀 琀栀攀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最 挀漀爀爀攀猀瀀漀渀搀猀 琀漀 愀 ⴀ䌀䠀㈀ⴀ 最爀漀甀瀀 愀渀搀 攀愀挀栀 琀攀爀洀椀渀愀氀 氀椀渀攀 琀漀 愀 ⴀ䌀䠀㌀ 最爀漀甀瀀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 愀猀猀甀洀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 愀氀氀 挀愀爀戀漀渀猀 栀愀瘀攀 琀栀攀 愀瀀瀀爀漀瀀爀椀愀琀攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 栀礀搀爀漀最攀渀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀猀攀 愀爀攀 琀礀瀀椀挀愀氀氀礀 渀漀琀 猀栀漀眀渀⸀ 䴀甀氀琀椀瀀氀攀 戀漀渀搀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 椀渀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀 愀猀 搀漀甀戀氀攀 漀爀 琀爀椀瀀氀攀 氀椀渀攀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀琀 椀猀 愀最愀椀渀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀漀漀搀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 愀瀀瀀爀漀瀀爀椀愀琀攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 栀礀搀爀漀最攀渀 愀琀漀洀猀 愀爀攀 愀琀琀愀挀栀攀搀⸀
㰀椀洀最 愀氀椀最渀㴀挀攀渀琀攀爀 猀爀挀㴀∀㘀⸀最椀昀∀㸀
䤀渀 愀挀琀甀愀氀 瀀爀愀挀琀椀挀攀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 眀椀氀氀 昀椀渀搀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 戀礀 栀礀戀爀椀搀猀 漀昀 愀氀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀琀栀漀搀猀 ⠀愀猀 猀栀漀眀渀 愀戀漀瘀攀⤀㬀 氀椀渀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀攀猀 琀漀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀 琀栀攀 戀愀挀欀戀漀渀攀 漀昀 愀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀漀洀攀 瘀愀爀椀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 挀漀渀搀攀渀猀攀搀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 琀漀 猀栀漀眀 猀椀搀攀ⴀ挀栀愀椀渀猀Ⰰ 漀爀 琀栀爀攀攀ⴀ搀椀洀攀渀猀椀漀渀愀氀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 攀琀挀⸀ 䄀猀 愀 猀琀甀搀攀渀琀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 挀栀攀洀椀猀琀爀礀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 攀猀猀攀渀琀椀愀氀 琀漀 氀攀愀爀渀 琀漀 爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀 琀栀攀猀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 愀渀搀 琀漀 戀攀 愀戀氀攀 琀漀 椀渀琀攀爀挀栀愀渀最攀 昀漀爀洀愀琀猀 愀渀搀 琀漀 甀猀攀 琀栀攀猀攀 琀漀 瘀椀猀甀愀氀椀稀攀 琀栀攀 昀甀氀氀 琀栀爀攀攀ⴀ搀椀洀攀渀猀椀漀渀愀氀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀 椀渀 焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀⸀
䤀 眀愀猀 戀漀爀渀 漀渀 䨀甀氀礀 ㈀㌀爀搀Ⰰ 㤀 㘀 椀渀 匀愀爀愀樀攀瘀漀 椀渀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瘀椀渀挀攀 漀昀 䈀漀猀渀椀愀Ⰰ
which then belonged to the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy and later, in 1918, became part of Yugoslavia. In the western world my birthplace has a somewhat sinister reputation that was characterized by an older tax-inspector in the Midwest of America as "the place where all that mess started". Actually, as an 8 years old boy I stood near to the spot where Archiduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated. At the beginning of the first World War, in 1915, we moved to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where I attended the gymnasium. The period 1924 to 1929 was spent studying Chemistry at the Czech Institute of Technology in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The supervisor of my thesis was Professor Emil Votocek, one of the prominent founders of chemical research in Czechoslovakia. My mentor, however, was Rudolf Lukes, then lecturer and later successor of Votocek to the chair of organic chemistry. To Lukes I owe the greatest part of my early scientific education, and he remained my close friend until his premature death in 1960. In addition to these two "real" teachers I admired Robert Robinson, Christopher Ingold and Leopold Ruzicka, all of whom I considered as my "imaginary" teachers. In later years I was fortunate to become well acquainted with all three of these great chemists.㰀瀀㸀
The close of my studies with a degree of a Dr. Ing. in 1929 coincided with the great economic crisis, and I was not able to find an academic position. I was therefore very grateful for a position in the newly created laboratory of G.J. Dríza in Prague where rare chemicals were produced on small scale. I had there also a modest opportunity to do some research, but I badly wanted to work in an academic environment. This is why I was so eager to accept the position of a lecturer at the University of Zagreb in 1935. I did not know that I had to fulfil there all the duties of a full professor and to live on a salary of an underpaid assistant, but it would probably not have affected my decision if I had known. With the help of a couple of enthusiastic young co-workers and of a developing small pharmaceutical factory, I had just managed to solve at least the most urgent problems for myself and my laboratory when the second World War broke out. After the German occupation of Zagreb in 1941 it became clear that I was likely to get into serious trouble if I remained there. At this critical point I received an invitation of Richard Kuhn to give some lectures in Germany, and shortly afterwards Leopold Ruzicka, whom I had asked for help, invited me to visit him on the way. With these two invitations, it was possible for me to escape with my wife to Switzerland. Through Ruzicka I soon obtained generous support of CIBA Ltd. and started work in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. The cooperation with Ruzicka lasted many years and enabled me to make my slow progress up the academic hierarchical ladder. Starting as assistant, I became "Privat Dozent", "Titularprofessor" associate (ausserordentlicher) professor and in 1952 full professor ad personam. Finally, in 1957, I succeeded Ruzicka as head of the Laboratory, a height that I never dreamt of when I was a student in Prague. In becoming director of the Laboratory I reached, according to Peter's principle, the level of my incompetence and I tried hard for several years to step down. Surrounded and supported by a group of very able young colleagues, I finally succeeded in introducing a rotating chairmanship from which I was exempted. So far this has worked very satisfactorily and it may have helped some of my colleagues to resist tempting offers from other Universities.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
My main interests were natural compounds, from adamantane and aialoids to rifamycins and boromycin. During the work on natural compounds stereochemical problems emerged from all sides. As E.L. Eliel pointed out, stereochemistry is not so much a branch of chemistry but rather a way of looking at chemistry. It was, and still is, great fun trying to find new points of view for it.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
I travel a lot. Recently I counted that I have given lectures in more than 150 places, often several times. This in spite of the fact that I do not speak any language properly. I suspect that many people come to my lectures because they enjoy my strange accent and skill in managing without actually cheating.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
I married my wife Kamila in Prague in 1933. A son Jan was born to us in Zürich in 1949.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
For many years, when still a Yugoslav citizen, I was already a Swiss patriot and in 1959 I obtained Swiss citizenship. However, I consider myself a world citizen and I am very grateful to my adopted country that it allows me to be one.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
The way from Sarajevo to Stockholm is a long one and I am fully aware that I have been very lucky to arrive there. The journey could not have been made without the generous help of friends, colleagues, co-workers and also of innumerable earlier chemists "on whose shoulders we stand".
吀栀攀猀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 愀爀攀 愀氀猀漀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀 椀渀 猀瀀愀挀攀ⴀ昀椀氀氀椀渀最 昀漀爀洀愀琀㨀
圀栀攀渀 瘀椀攀眀椀渀最 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 椀琀 椀猀 椀洀瀀漀爀琀愀渀琀 琀漀 渀漀琀攀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 爀漀琀愀琀椀漀渀 愀爀漀甀渀搀 挀愀爀戀漀渀ⴀ挀愀爀戀漀渀 猀椀渀最氀攀 戀漀渀搀猀 椀猀 最攀渀攀爀愀氀氀礀 瘀攀爀礀 爀愀瀀椀搀 ⠀最爀攀愀琀攀爀 琀栀愀渀 㘀 爀漀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 瀀攀爀 猀攀挀漀渀搀⤀ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 挀栀愀椀渀 挀愀渀 愀猀猀甀洀攀 愀 氀愀爀最攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀猀 ⠀琀攀爀洀攀搀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 椀猀漀洀攀爀猀⤀ 眀栀椀挀栀 愀爀攀 爀愀瀀椀搀氀礀 椀渀琀攀爀挀漀渀瘀攀爀琀攀搀 愀渀搀 挀愀渀渀漀琀 戀攀 猀攀瀀愀爀愀琀攀搀 甀渀搀攀爀 渀漀爀洀愀氀 挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ 䄀 猀愀洀瀀氀攀 漀昀 挀漀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀愀氀 椀猀漀洀攀爀猀 昀漀爀 昀漀甀爀ⴀ 愀渀搀 猀椀砀ⴀ挀愀爀戀漀渀 挀栀愀椀渀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 戀攀氀漀眀㨀
圀栀椀氀攀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀 氀椀欀攀 琀栀漀猀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 愀戀漀瘀攀 洀漀猀琀 挀氀攀愀爀氀礀 猀栀漀眀 琀栀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 昀攀愀琀甀爀攀猀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 挀氀攀愀爀 琀栀愀琀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀爀 洀攀琀栀漀搀猀 愀爀攀 渀攀攀搀攀搀 昀漀爀 爀漀甀琀椀渀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀⸀ 吀栀攀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀猀琀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 氀攀愀猀琀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀瘀攀Ⰰ 椀猀 琀栀攀 猀椀洀瀀氀攀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 琀栀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀愀爀 昀漀爀洀甀氀愀Ⰰ 猀栀漀眀椀渀最 爀愀琀椀漀猀 漀昀 愀琀漀洀猀⸀ 䄀 愀氀琀攀爀渀愀琀椀瘀攀 昀漀爀洀愀琀 椀渀 眀栀椀挀栀 愀氀氀 愀琀漀洀猀 愀渀搀 愀氀氀 挀漀瘀愀氀攀渀琀 戀漀渀搀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 椀猀 琀栀攀 ∀氀椀渀攀ⴀ戀漀渀搀∀ 漀爀 䬀攀欀甀氀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀⸀ 圀栀椀氀攀 琀栀椀猀 搀漀攀猀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 爀攀最愀爀搀椀渀最 戀漀渀搀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀攀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀Ⰰ 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 漀昀 琀栀椀猀 琀礀瀀攀 愀爀攀 琀攀搀椀甀猀 琀漀 搀爀愀眀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀猀 愀爀攀 洀漀爀攀 挀漀洀洀漀渀氀礀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 甀猀椀渀最 猀漀洀攀 昀漀爀洀 漀昀 愀戀戀爀攀瘀椀愀琀攀搀 ∀挀漀渀搀攀渀猀攀搀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀∀⸀
㰀椀洀最 愀氀椀最渀㴀挀攀渀琀攀爀 猀爀挀㴀∀㔀⸀最椀昀∀㸀
䄀 昀甀爀琀栀攀爀 挀漀渀搀攀渀猀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 猀琀甀爀挀琀甀爀愀氀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀 椀猀 愀挀挀漀洀瀀氀椀猀栀攀搀 椀渀 ∀氀椀渀攀∀ 漀爀 ∀猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀∀ 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀⸀ 䤀渀 琀栀椀猀 昀漀爀洀愀琀Ⰰ 攀愀挀栀 瘀攀爀琀攀砀 椀渀 琀栀攀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最 挀漀爀爀攀猀瀀漀渀搀猀 琀漀 愀 ⴀ䌀䠀㈀ⴀ 最爀漀甀瀀 愀渀搀 攀愀挀栀 琀攀爀洀椀渀愀氀 氀椀渀攀 琀漀 愀 ⴀ䌀䠀㌀ 最爀漀甀瀀⸀ 䤀琀 椀猀 愀猀猀甀洀攀搀 琀栀愀琀 愀氀氀 挀愀爀戀漀渀猀 栀愀瘀攀 琀栀攀 愀瀀瀀爀漀瀀爀椀愀琀攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 栀礀搀爀漀最攀渀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 琀栀攀猀攀 愀爀攀 琀礀瀀椀挀愀氀氀礀 渀漀琀 猀栀漀眀渀⸀ 䴀甀氀琀椀瀀氀攀 戀漀渀搀猀 愀爀攀 猀栀漀眀渀 椀渀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 搀爀愀眀椀渀最猀 愀猀 搀漀甀戀氀攀 漀爀 琀爀椀瀀氀攀 氀椀渀攀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 椀琀 椀猀 愀最愀椀渀 甀渀搀攀爀猀琀漀漀搀 琀栀愀琀 琀栀攀 愀瀀瀀爀漀瀀爀椀愀琀攀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 漀昀 栀礀搀爀漀最攀渀 愀琀漀洀猀 愀爀攀 愀琀琀愀挀栀攀搀⸀
㰀椀洀最 愀氀椀最渀㴀挀攀渀琀攀爀 猀爀挀㴀∀㘀⸀最椀昀∀㸀
䤀渀 愀挀琀甀愀氀 瀀爀愀挀琀椀挀攀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 眀椀氀氀 昀椀渀搀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀攀搀 戀礀 栀礀戀爀椀搀猀 漀昀 愀氀氀 漀昀 琀栀攀猀攀 洀攀琀栀漀搀猀 ⠀愀猀 猀栀漀眀渀 愀戀漀瘀攀⤀㬀 氀椀渀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀攀猀 琀漀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀 琀栀攀 戀愀挀欀戀漀渀攀 漀昀 愀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 猀漀洀攀 瘀愀爀椀愀琀椀漀渀 漀昀 挀漀渀搀攀渀猀攀搀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀攀猀 琀漀 猀栀漀眀 猀椀搀攀ⴀ挀栀愀椀渀猀Ⰰ 漀爀 琀栀爀攀攀ⴀ搀椀洀攀渀猀椀漀渀愀氀 椀渀昀漀爀洀愀琀椀漀渀Ⰰ 攀琀挀⸀ 䄀猀 愀 猀琀甀搀攀渀琀 漀昀 漀爀最愀渀椀挀 挀栀攀洀椀猀琀爀礀Ⰰ 椀琀 椀猀 攀猀猀攀渀琀椀愀氀 琀漀 氀攀愀爀渀 琀漀 爀攀挀漀最渀椀稀攀 琀栀攀猀攀 猀琀爀甀挀琀甀爀愀氀 爀攀瀀爀攀猀攀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀猀 愀渀搀 琀漀 戀攀 愀戀氀攀 琀漀 椀渀琀攀爀挀栀愀渀最攀 昀漀爀洀愀琀猀 愀渀搀 琀漀 甀猀攀 琀栀攀猀攀 琀漀 瘀椀猀甀愀氀椀稀攀 琀栀攀 昀甀氀氀 琀栀爀攀攀ⴀ搀椀洀攀渀猀椀漀渀愀氀 洀漀氀攀挀甀氀攀 椀渀 焀甀攀猀琀椀漀渀⸀
䤀 眀愀猀 戀漀爀渀 漀渀 䨀甀氀礀 ㈀㌀爀搀Ⰰ 㤀 㘀 椀渀 匀愀爀愀樀攀瘀漀 椀渀 琀栀攀 瀀爀漀瘀椀渀挀攀 漀昀 䈀漀猀渀椀愀Ⰰ
which then belonged to the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy and later, in 1918, became part of Yugoslavia. In the western world my birthplace has a somewhat sinister reputation that was characterized by an older tax-inspector in the Midwest of America as "the place where all that mess started". Actually, as an 8 years old boy I stood near to the spot where Archiduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated. At the beginning of the first World War, in 1915, we moved to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where I attended the gymnasium. The period 1924 to 1929 was spent studying Chemistry at the Czech Institute of Technology in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The supervisor of my thesis was Professor Emil Votocek, one of the prominent founders of chemical research in Czechoslovakia. My mentor, however, was Rudolf Lukes, then lecturer and later successor of Votocek to the chair of organic chemistry. To Lukes I owe the greatest part of my early scientific education, and he remained my close friend until his premature death in 1960. In addition to these two "real" teachers I admired Robert Robinson, Christopher Ingold and Leopold Ruzicka, all of whom I considered as my "imaginary" teachers. In later years I was fortunate to become well acquainted with all three of these great chemists.㰀瀀㸀
The close of my studies with a degree of a Dr. Ing. in 1929 coincided with the great economic crisis, and I was not able to find an academic position. I was therefore very grateful for a position in the newly created laboratory of G.J. Dríza in Prague where rare chemicals were produced on small scale. I had there also a modest opportunity to do some research, but I badly wanted to work in an academic environment. This is why I was so eager to accept the position of a lecturer at the University of Zagreb in 1935. I did not know that I had to fulfil there all the duties of a full professor and to live on a salary of an underpaid assistant, but it would probably not have affected my decision if I had known. With the help of a couple of enthusiastic young co-workers and of a developing small pharmaceutical factory, I had just managed to solve at least the most urgent problems for myself and my laboratory when the second World War broke out. After the German occupation of Zagreb in 1941 it became clear that I was likely to get into serious trouble if I remained there. At this critical point I received an invitation of Richard Kuhn to give some lectures in Germany, and shortly afterwards Leopold Ruzicka, whom I had asked for help, invited me to visit him on the way. With these two invitations, it was possible for me to escape with my wife to Switzerland. Through Ruzicka I soon obtained generous support of CIBA Ltd. and started work in the Organic Chemistry Laboratory at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. The cooperation with Ruzicka lasted many years and enabled me to make my slow progress up the academic hierarchical ladder. Starting as assistant, I became "Privat Dozent", "Titularprofessor" associate (ausserordentlicher) professor and in 1952 full professor ad personam. Finally, in 1957, I succeeded Ruzicka as head of the Laboratory, a height that I never dreamt of when I was a student in Prague. In becoming director of the Laboratory I reached, according to Peter's principle, the level of my incompetence and I tried hard for several years to step down. Surrounded and supported by a group of very able young colleagues, I finally succeeded in introducing a rotating chairmanship from which I was exempted. So far this has worked very satisfactorily and it may have helped some of my colleagues to resist tempting offers from other Universities.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
My main interests were natural compounds, from adamantane and aialoids to rifamycins and boromycin. During the work on natural compounds stereochemical problems emerged from all sides. As E.L. Eliel pointed out, stereochemistry is not so much a branch of chemistry but rather a way of looking at chemistry. It was, and still is, great fun trying to find new points of view for it.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
I travel a lot. Recently I counted that I have given lectures in more than 150 places, often several times. This in spite of the fact that I do not speak any language properly. I suspect that many people come to my lectures because they enjoy my strange accent and skill in managing without actually cheating.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
I married my wife Kamila in Prague in 1933. A son Jan was born to us in Zürich in 1949.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
For many years, when still a Yugoslav citizen, I was already a Swiss patriot and in 1959 I obtained Swiss citizenship. However, I consider myself a world citizen and I am very grateful to my adopted country that it allows me to be one.㰀⼀瀀㸀㰀瀀㸀
The way from Sarajevo to Stockholm is a long one and I am fully aware that I have been very lucky to arrive there. The journey could not have been made without the generous help of friends, colleagues, co-workers and also of innumerable earlier chemists "on whose shoulders we stand".