Sir Derek Barton

Sir Derek Barton was a renowned British chemist recognized for his pioneering work in understanding how the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in molecules affects their chemical behavior. His research helped explain how molecules with the same formula can have different properties, leading to advances in drug development and materials science. Barton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969, sharing it for his contributions to conformational analysis—studying how molecules twist and turn. His work has had a lasting impact on organic chemistry, enabling scientists to design more effective medicines and better understand complex chemical structures.