Extroverted Confusion—Linus Pauling, Melvin Calvin, and Porphyrin Isomers

摘要

No other chemist of the modern era has influenced chemistry and molecular biology as much as Linus Pauling (1901-1994; Figure 1). In a career spanning seven decades he worked and contributed to all areas of chemistry including physical, analytical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, as well as structural chemistry biochemistry. His main interests were the structure and bonding of molecules, but he worked on genetics, evolution, hematology, immunology, brain research, biomedicine, and nutritional therapy, as well. In addition, his charismatic and dynamic personality made him a humanitarian par excellance. He is the only person to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes: the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize.