# Karl Barry Sharpless

> American chemist and Nobel Laureate (born 1941)

**Wikidata**: [Q110925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110925)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Barry_Sharpless)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/karl-barry-sharpless

## Summary
Karl Barry Sharpless is an American chemist and Nobel Laureate born in 1941, known for pioneering advancements in click chemistry and asymmetric catalysis. His work revolutionized organic synthesis, earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly chemical reactions.

## Biography
- Born: April 28, 1941
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science, Dartmouth College (1962)
  - Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University (1966)
- Known for: Developing click chemistry and asymmetric dihydroxylation, transforming organic synthesis
- Employer(s):
  - Scripps Research (1993–present)
  - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1966–1993)
- Field(s): Organic chemistry, asymmetric catalysis, click chemistry

## Contributions
- **Sharpless Epoxidation**: Developed a catalyst-free epoxidation reaction in 1980, enabling efficient synthesis of epoxides without harsh conditions.
- **Sharpless Asymmetric Dihydroxylation**: Created a chiral catalyst system in 1984, allowing selective oxidation of alkenes to produce diols with high enantiomeric purity.
- **Click Chemistry**: Introduced copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition in 2001, enabling rapid, modular assembly of complex molecules.
- **Nobel Prize in Chemistry**: Awarded in 2022 for contributions to click chemistry and asymmetric organocatalysis, revolutionizing synthetic chemistry.

## FAQs
### What is Karl Barry Sharpless known for?
Karl Barry Sharpless is renowned for developing click chemistry and asymmetric dihydroxylation, which have transformed organic synthesis by enabling efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly reactions.

### Where did Karl Barry Sharpless study?
Sharpless earned his Bachelor of Science from Dartmouth College in 1962 and his Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard University in 1966.

### What awards has Karl Barry Sharpless received?
Sharpless has received numerous awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2022), the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2014), and the Arthur C. Cope Award (2013).

### Where has Karl Barry Sharpless worked?
Sharpless has held positions at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1966–1993) and currently serves as a professor at Scripps Research (1993–present).

### What is click chemistry?
Click chemistry refers to a set of reactions developed by Sharpless that allow rapid, modular assembly of complex molecules using simple, reliable steps, enabling efficient drug discovery and materials synthesis.

## Why They Matter
Karl Barry Sharpless's work has fundamentally reshaped organic chemistry by introducing efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly reactions. His innovations in click chemistry and asymmetric catalysis have accelerated drug development, materials science, and biotechnology. As a Nobel laureate, Sharpless has inspired a new generation of chemists, demonstrating the power of curiosity-driven research. His methods remain essential in academia and industry, driving advancements in medicine, energy, and sustainable materials.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2022)
- Pioneer of click chemistry, enabling rapid modular synthesis
- Developer of Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, revolutionizing enantioselective oxidations
- Professor at Scripps Research and former faculty at MIT
- Recipient of the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2014) and Arthur C. Cope Award (2013)
- Influenced by Konrad Emil Bloch, a German-American biochemist

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Karl Barry Sharpless was born on April 28, 1941, in Minnesota, United States. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1962. He then attended Harvard University, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 1966 under the mentorship of Konrad Emil Bloch, a renowned biochemist.

### Career and Research
Sharpless began his academic career at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1966, where he conducted groundbreaking research in organic chemistry. His early work focused on developing efficient catalytic methods for organic synthesis. In 1993, he joined Scripps Research as a professor, where he continues to lead innovative research.

### Key Contributions
- **Sharpless Epoxidation (1980)**: Sharpless developed a catalyst-free epoxidation reaction, enabling the synthesis of epoxides without harsh conditions. This method became a cornerstone of organic synthesis.
- **Sharpless Asymmetric Dihydroxylation (1984)**: He created a chiral catalyst system that allowed the selective oxidation of alkenes to produce diols with high enantiomeric purity. This breakthrough was pivotal in asymmetric synthesis.
- **Click Chemistry (2001)**: Sharpless introduced copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, enabling rapid, modular assembly of complex molecules. This innovation revolutionized drug discovery and materials science.

### Awards and Recognition
Sharpless has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2022), the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2014), and the Arthur C. Cope Award (2013). His work has been recognized globally, solidifying his legacy as a leader in organic chemistry.

### Influence and Legacy
Sharpless's contributions have had a profound impact on the field of chemistry. His methods have been adopted widely in academia and industry, accelerating advancements in medicine, energy, and sustainable materials. As a Nobel laureate, he has inspired a new generation of chemists, demonstrating the power of curiosity-driven research. His work remains essential in driving innovation in organic synthesis.

## References

1. The 2001 Benjamin Franklin medal in chemistry presented to K. Barry Sharpless
2. [Source](http://www.chem-station.com/en/?p=653)
3. [Source](http://depa.fquim.unam.mx/amyd/archivero/Oxidacionreduccion_10110.pdf)
4. NNDB
5. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/org/290/000161804/)
6. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-6051-1599/education/9955099)
7. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-6051-1599/education/9955091)
8. [Is Bird Flu Drug Really So Vexing? Debating the Difficulty of Tamiflu. 2005](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/05/business/05tamiflu.html?pagewanted=all)
9. [Biodefence research](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v416/n6882/full/nj6882-04a.html)
10. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0001-6051-1599/employment/9955074)
11. [Source](https://harveypz.net.technion.ac.il/harvey-prize-laureates/)
12. [Source](https://wolffund.org.il/k-barry-sharpless/)
13. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2001. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2001/summary/)
14. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
15. [Source](https://www.chem.tamu.edu/medals+lectureships/cotton-medal/Cotton-Medal.php)
16. [Priestley Medal](https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/awards/national/bytopic/priestley-medal.html)
17. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2022/summary/)
18. [Source](https://www.theaic.org/award_winners/chem_pioneer.html#cpa90s)
19. [Source](https://www.acs.org/funding/awards/roger-adams-award-in-organic-chemistry/past-recipients.html)
20. [Source](http://newyorkacs.online/nichols_medal/)
21. [Source](https://www.tetrahedron-chem.com/tetrahedron_prize_for_creativity2022)
22. [Source](https://www.rsc.org/prizes-funding/prizes/find-a-prize/sir-derek-barton-gold-medal/previous-winners/)
23. [Source](https://clarivate.com/citation-laureates)
24. [Source](https://acsmaryland.org/remsen-award/)
25. [Source](https://thejohnscottaward.github.io/jsc/1951-2010.html)
26. CiNii Research
27. Virtual International Authority File
28. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
29. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
30. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
31. IdRef
32. LIBRIS. 2018