# Paul Karrer

> Swiss chemist (1889-1971)

**Wikidata**: [Q73093](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73093)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Karrer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paul-karrer

## Summary
Paul Karrer was a Swiss chemist and biochemist, born in 1889 and deceased in 1971. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in organic chemistry and biochemistry, particularly in the structural analysis of vitamins and carotenoids, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1937.

## Biography
- Born: April 21, 1889, in Worms, Germany
- Nationality: Swiss
- Education: University of Zurich
- Known for: Research on vitamins, particularly carotenoids and flavonoids; awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1937
- Employer(s): University of Zurich
- Field(s): Organic chemistry, biochemistry

## Contributions
Paul Karrer made significant contributions to the understanding of the structure of natural compounds, particularly in the field of vitamins and pigments. His work laid the foundation for modern nutritional science and biochemical research. He published numerous papers on the structure of vitamins A and B2, and his research contributed to the development of synthetic methods for these compounds. His investigations into the structure of carotenoids and flavonoids were pioneering, and he was instrumental in the advancement of organic chemistry in the early 20th century.

## FAQs
### What did Paul Karrer discover?
Paul Karrer is best known for his work on the structure of vitamins, particularly vitamins A and B2. His research helped establish the chemical structures of these essential nutrients, which were critical for the development of nutritional science.

### What awards did Paul Karrer receive?
Paul Karrer received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1937 for his research on the structure of vitamins. He also received the Marcel Benoist Prize, a prestigious Swiss scientific award.

### Where did Paul Karrer work?
Paul Karrer spent his career primarily at the University of Zurich, where he conducted his Nobel Prize-winning research in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

### What is Paul Karrer's legacy in chemistry?
Paul Karrer's legacy lies in his structural elucidation of vitamins and natural pigments, which advanced the fields of organic chemistry and nutritional science. His work continues to influence modern biochemical research and education.

## Why They Matter
Paul Karrer's work fundamentally changed the understanding of vitamins and natural compounds. His research on the structure of vitamins A and B2, as well as his contributions to the study of carotenoids and flavonoids, laid the groundwork for modern nutritional science. His findings enabled the development of synthetic vitamins and contributed to the understanding of how these compounds function in the human body. His influence extended to the education of future chemists and biochemists, with many of his students going on to make significant contributions in their own right.

## Notable For
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1937)
- Structural analysis of vitamins A and B2
- Research on carotenoids and flavonoids
- Longtime affiliation with the University of Zurich
- Contributions to the field of organic chemistry
- Recipient of the Marcel Benoist Prize
- Member of the Royal Society of London
- Honorary doctorates from the University of Madrid Complutense, University of Lyon, University of Paris, and University of Strasbourg

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Paul Karrer was born on April 21, 1889, in Worms, Germany. He was educated at the University of Zurich, where he would later spend his academic career. His early education in chemistry laid the foundation for his future contributions to the field.

### Career
Paul Karrer spent his entire professional life at the University of Zurich, where he became a leading figure in organic chemistry and biochemistry. His research focused on the structure of natural compounds, particularly vitamins and pigments. He was a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society of London and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

### Research and Contributions
Paul Karrer's most significant contributions were in the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the structural analysis of vitamins. He published numerous papers on the structure of vitamins A and B2, which were critical for the development of nutritional science. His work on carotenoids and flavonoids was pioneering and established him as a leading figure in the field.

### Awards and Recognition
Paul Karrer received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1937 for his research on the structure of vitamins. He also received the Marcel Benoist Prize, a prestigious Swiss scientific award. He was a member of the Royal Society of London and several other international scientific organizations.

### Legacy
Paul Karrer's legacy lies in his structural elucidation of vitamins and natural compounds, which laid the groundwork for modern nutritional science. His work continues to influence biochemical research and education. His contributions to the field of organic chemistry have had a lasting impact on the understanding of how vitamins function in the human body.

## References

1. [Source](https://mobile.cmistar.ch/webclients-r22/uzh/#/content/2cd3278537684ae4a1d79098a0fd8e24)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
4. [Source](https://www.rse.org.uk/cms/files/fellows/biographical_index/fells_indexp2.pdf)
5. www.accademiadellescienze.it
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://www.uzh.ch/de/about/portrait/history/presidents.html)
8. Find a Grave
9. [The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1937. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1937/summary/)
10. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf)
11. Complete List of Royal Society Fellows 1660-2007
12. [Source](https://education.persee.fr/doc/revin_1775-6014_1938_num_92_1_8551)
13. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k45857309/f1.item.r=karrer.zoom)
14. [L'Information universitaire. 1938](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4585779j/f4.item.r=honoris.zoom)
15. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bd6t526469479/f15.item.r=%22DOCTEURS%20honoris%20causa%22.zoom)
16. International Standard Name Identifier
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. CiNii Research
19. NNDB
20. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
21. SNAC
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
24. Proleksis Encyclopedia
25. Croatian Encyclopedia
26. www.academie-medecine.fr
27. Munzinger Personen
28. La France savante
29. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
30. Historical Dictionary of Switzerland
31. nobelprize.org
32. CONOR.SI
33. Catalogo of the National Library of India