Prelog (Vladimir Prelog)

Vladimir Prelog was a renowned chemist who developed a system to classify and understand how chemical compounds are shaped, especially in stereochemistry—the study of spatial arrangements of atoms. His Prelog system helps scientists describe complex molecules’ three-dimensional structures, such as which parts are oriented in specific directions. This is important in understanding how molecules interact, especially in pharmaceuticals, where the shape can determine a drug’s effectiveness. Essentially, Prelog’s work provides a clear way to discuss and differentiate molecules based on their three-dimensional stereochemistry, advancing the precision of chemical analysis and synthesis.