Image for Neil Bartlett

Neil Bartlett

Neil Bartlett was a notable chemist recognized for his groundbreaking work in inorganic chemistry, particularly in understanding and synthesizing noble gas compounds, previously thought to be chemically unreactive. In the 1960s, he successfully created a compound containing xenon, marking the first time a noble gas was chemically bonded with another element. This discovery challenged existing views on these gases and opened new avenues in chemistry, contributing to the development of other exotic compounds and enhancing our understanding of chemical reactivity. Bartlett's work exemplifies the dynamic nature of chemical science and its ability to redefine established concepts.