Sir John Cornforth

Sir John Cornforth was a renowned Australian chemist recognized for his work in understanding how organic molecules are arranged in three dimensions. His research significantly advanced the field of stereochemistry, which explains how molecules’ spatial structures influence their properties and reactions. Cornforth’s contributions were vital in developing drugs, such as antibiotics and hormones. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1975, he was celebrated for his meticulous use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine complex molecular structures. His work has had lasting impacts on medicine and chemistry, highlighting the importance of molecular shape in biological processes.