| RefNo | EC/1988/06 |
| Previous numbers | Cert XXII, 103 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Cowley, Alan Herbert: certificate of election to the Royal Society |
| Date | 1985 |
| Description | Citation typed |
| Citation | Distinguished by his contributions to main-group chemistry. Earlier work was concerned with homoatomic rings and chain compounds, noteworthy acheivements (sic) being synthesis of the first three- and four-membered phosphorus and arsenic rings, respectively. His work on the static and dynamic stereochemistry of phosphorus compounds is also widely recognised, extending from mathematical formulation to experimental studies. More recent work is concerned with multiply-bonded compounds of the heavier main-group elements. Contributions to this area include the synthesis of the first compounds with phosphorus-arsenic, phosphorus-antimony, and arsenic-arsenic double bonds, and the demonstration that these and related species such as phospha-alkenes and phosphine-imines exhibit and interesting reaction chemistry and ligative behaviour. He has also played a pioneering role in the discovery of compounds, such as phophavinylidenes and phosphinidenes, which feature multiple bonding between main-group and transition elements. Seminal contributions have also been made to the development of main group cationic chemistry. Examples include the synthesis of the first dico-ordinate sulphur dication and the first carbocyclic pi-complex of a Group V element. His work on phosphenium ions has demonstrated that such cations are useful synthetic reagents. He received the Royal Society of Chemistry Award for Main-Group Chemistry in 1980. |
| AccessStatus | Closed |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA4044 | Cowley; Alan Herbert (1934-2020) | 1934-2020 |