# Jean-Marie Lehn

> French chemist

**Wikidata**: [Q107690](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107690)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Marie_Lehn)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-marie-lehn

## Summary
Jean-Marie Lehn is a French chemist known for pioneering the field of supramolecular chemistry, which studies chemical systems made up of assembled molecular subunits. He is the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1987) for his work on crown ethers and cryptands, which revolutionized molecular recognition and host-guest chemistry.

## Biography
- Born: 1939-09-30 (Strasbourg, France)
- Nationality: French
- Education:
  - Doctorate in Chemistry (1966) from the University of Strasbourg
  - Postdoctoral research at Harvard University (1966–1968)
- Known for: Developing crown ethers and cryptands, foundational contributions to supramolecular chemistry
- Employer(s):
  - Collège de France (Professor)
  - Louis Pasteur University (Professor)
  - University of Strasbourg (Professor)
  - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Professor)
- Field(s): Supramolecular chemistry, chemical synthesis, molecular recognition

## Contributions
- **Crown Ethers (1967)**: Developed cyclic polyethers that selectively bind alkali metal ions, enabling molecular recognition and paving the way for ion-selective electrodes and medical applications.
- **Cryptands (1970s)**: Created multi-dentate ligands that form stable complexes with metal ions, advancing host-guest chemistry and catalytic processes.
- **Supramolecular Chemistry Foundations**: Established the field by demonstrating how molecular subunits could assemble into functional systems, influencing nanotechnology and materials science.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1987)**: Awarded for his work on crown ethers and cryptands, recognizing their transformative impact on chemical science.
- **Academic Leadership**: Served as professor at prestigious institutions including Collège de France, Louis Pasteur University, and the University of Strasbourg, shaping generations of chemists.

## FAQs
**What is Jean-Marie Lehn known for?**
Jean-Marie Lehn is known for pioneering supramolecular chemistry, particularly through his development of crown ethers and cryptands, which enabled molecular recognition and host-guest chemistry.

**Where did Jean-Marie Lehn study?**
He earned his doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg in 1966 and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University from 1966 to 1968.

**What awards has Jean-Marie Lehn received?**
He has received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1987), the CNRS Gold Medal, the Davy Medal, and the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts.

**Where has Jean-Marie Lehn worked?**
He has held professorships at the Collège de France, Louis Pasteur University, the University of Strasbourg, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

**What is supramolecular chemistry?**
Supramolecular chemistry is the study of chemical systems made up of assembled molecular subunits, focusing on how molecules interact to form functional structures.

## Why They Matter
Jean-Marie Lehn’s work on crown ethers and cryptands revolutionized molecular recognition, enabling advancements in ion-selective electrodes, medical applications, and catalytic processes. His establishment of supramolecular chemistry as a distinct field has influenced nanotechnology, materials science, and chemical engineering. His Nobel Prize-winning contributions have inspired generations of scientists, shaping modern chemical research and applications.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1987) for crown ethers and cryptands
- Pioneer of supramolecular chemistry
- Developer of crown ethers, enabling molecular recognition and ion binding
- Creator of cryptands, advancing host-guest chemistry
- Professor at prestigious institutions including Collège de France and the University of Strasbourg
- Recipient of multiple major scientific awards, including the CNRS Gold Medal and Davy Medal
- Influential figure in chemical synthesis and molecular recognition

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Jean-Marie Lehn was born on September 30, 1939, in Strasbourg, France. He pursued his doctoral studies in Chemistry at the University of Strasbourg, completing his Ph.D. in 1966. Following this, he conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard University from 1966 to 1968, where he further honed his expertise in chemical synthesis and molecular recognition.

### Career and Research
Lehn’s career was marked by groundbreaking contributions to supramolecular chemistry. In 1967, he developed crown ethers, cyclic polyethers that selectively bind alkali metal ions. This innovation laid the foundation for molecular recognition and led to applications in ion-selective electrodes and medical research. Building on this work, he created cryptands in the 1970s, multi-dentate ligands that form stable complexes with metal ions, further advancing host-guest chemistry and catalytic processes.

### Academic Leadership
Throughout his career, Lehn held professorships at several prestigious institutions, including the Collège de France, Louis Pasteur University, the University of Strasbourg, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. His academic leadership has shaped the field of supramolecular chemistry and influenced generations of chemists.

### Awards and Recognition
Lehn’s contributions were widely recognized with numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1987) for his work on crown ethers and cryptands. He also received the CNRS Gold Medal, the Davy Medal, the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts, and other prestigious honors, underscoring his impact on chemical science.

### Influence and Legacy
Jean-Marie Lehn’s pioneering work in supramolecular chemistry has had a profound and lasting influence on the field. His discoveries have enabled advancements in molecular recognition, ion binding, and host-guest chemistry, with applications spanning nanotechnology, materials science, and medical research. His establishment of supramolecular chemistry as a distinct discipline has shaped modern chemical research and applications.

## References

1. [Towards Complex Matter: Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-organization](http://journals.cambridge.org/production/action/cjoGetFulltext?fulltextid=5485644)
2. [Grid-Type Metal Ion Architectures: Functional Metallosupramolecular Arrays](http://www.researchgate.net/publication/8461532_Grid-type_metal_ion_architectures_functional_metallosupramolecular_arrays/file/79e4150d1de2809ed2.pdf)
3. www.accademiadellescienze.it
4. BnF authorities
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6. [Nobel Prize. Encyclopædia Britannica Online](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/416856/Nobel-Prize/93434/The-prizes)
7. [Synthesis and Structure of a Supramolecular Coordination Polymer [ZnI2L(CH3OH)(H2O)2]n (L = N-(3- (isonicotinamido) phenyl) isonicotinamide) With 1D Chain Structure](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15533174.2012.654877)
8. National Center for Scientific Research
9. SUDOC
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12. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/616/000067415/)
13. list of professors at Collège de France
14. [Spiritual theories have to be proved before placing belief in them: Lehn. 2015](http://www.navhindtimes.in/spiritual-theories-have-to-be-proved-before-placing-belief-in-them-lehn/)
15. [Source](https://eman-archives.org/ComiteHistoireCNRS/items/show/54)
16. [Source](https://www.cnrs.fr/fr/talents/cnrs?medal=39)
17. [Jean-Marie Lehn Curriculum Vitae. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1987/lehn/cv/)
18. [Jean-Marie Lehn. Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order](http://www.orden-pourlemerite.de/mitglieder/jean-marie-lehn?m=2&u=5&p=2)
19. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1987. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1987/summary/)
20. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
21. [Le prix Nobel Jean-Marie Lehn grand officier de la légion d'honneur. 2014](http://www.dna.fr/actualite/2014/04/20/le-prix-nobel-jean-marie-lehn-grand-officier-de-la)
22. [Award winners : Davy Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1021770356&single=true)
23. [Source](https://www.uma.es/facultad-de-ciencias/info/74494/doctores-honoris-causa/)
24. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
25. [Source](https://www.muni.cz/o-univerzite/vyznamenani/cestne-doktoraty-udelene-mu?page=2)
26. [Ehrendoktorat Jean-Marie Lehn. University of Vienna](https://chemie.univie.ac.at/ueber-uns/ehrendoktorate/jean-marie-lehn/)
27. Source
28. [KTHs hedersdoktorer 2003. 2003](https://www.nada.kth.se/numero/2003/03.26.html)
29. [Frédéric Billet](https://twitter.com/Amb_Francji/status/1376830691057545218)
30. [Annonce des remises de décoration «Printemps 2019». Embassy of Japan, Paris](https://www.fr.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_fr/20190521-decorations.html)
31. [Source](https://scg.ch/component/page/paracelsus)
32. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/archives/robert-robinson-award/)
33. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/sir-derek-barton-gold-medal/previous-winners/)
34. [Source](https://comihistocnrs.hypotheses.org/2706)
35. [Source](https://ptchem.pl/pl/honors/winners-of-the-medals-and-ptchem-awards)
36. [Doctor honoris causa - Dr.h.c.](https://www.stuba.sk/sk/vyskume/habilitacie-inauguracie-a-udelene-tituly/udelene-tituly/doctor-honoris-causa-dr.h.c.html?page_id=13662)
37. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/1989PA066055)
38. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/1992STR13197)
39. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/1999PA066170)
40. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/1998PA066020)
41. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/2004PA06A800)
42. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/2009STRA6046)
43. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/2008STR13098)
44. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/2014STRAF013)
45. [Source](https://www.theses.fr/2014STRAF014)
46. general catalog of BnF
47. Virtual International Authority File
48. CiNii Research
49. [Leopoldina: Detail](https://www.leopoldina.org/mitglieder/mitgliederverzeichnis/detail/jean-marie-lehn/)
50. [Jean-Marie Lehn | Académie des sciences](https://www.academie-sciences.fr/en/node/2308)