Named after the University’s Chair in Organic Chemistry from 1915-1920, this event marked the beginning of a new annual lecture series at the University of Liverpool, which invites world-leading chemists to share their work with our research community.
Professor Benjamin List from the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2021 alongside Professor David Macmillan for their work in developing asymmetric organocatalysis. This technology led to the development of an entirely new approach to asymmetric catalysis independent of metals or enzymes, with important applications in pharmaceutical research and a positive impact on the environmental sustainability of chemistry. Professor List has also pioneered the field of asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis, further expanding the conceptual foundations of this area. His lecture included some new results that directly related to the work of Sir Robert Robinson, which was an appropriate way to begin the series.
Jointly organised by the Department of Chemistry and the Materials Innovation Factory, the lecture series is a student-led initiative. Romi Aggarwal, a final year PhD student and one of the organisers, said:
"It was a truly special event to welcome Professor Benjamin List to Liverpool for the inaugural Robert Robinson Lecture. Hearing world leading science from one of the founders of asymmetric organocatalysis, as well as his reflections on winning the Nobel Prize, made for a hugely inspiring day. I feel very honoured and privileged to have played a part in organising the lecture, and in helping to launch this new lecture series in such a memorable way."
Regius Professor John Bower said:
“The Robert Robinson Lecture is the flagship event of the student-led seminar series we launched in 2023. Our inaugural speaker, Professor Benjamin List, showed how simple, fundamental ideas can drive the development of powerful technologies with wide-ranging impact. The packed lecture theatre of students and researchers at all levels will, I am sure, take lasting inspiration from this event.”
The lecture series is named after Sir Robert Robinson, who was the Chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of Liverpool from 1915 to 1920. He is renowned for his fundamental contributions to the field, including his work on the synthesis of alkaloids, and developing the use of curly arrows to represent the movement of electrons. In recognition of these achievements, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1947.