| Citation | P.D. Magnus is distinguished for his contributions to Organic Synthesis, especially by his inventive application of new reactions and of new reagents. In association with Sir Derek Barton he participated in a long series of publication on tetracycline synthesis, on the photolytic elimination of thionobenzoate esters and on the chemistry of N(SPh)3.
His synthetic work on terpenoids involves the synthesis of (-)-neoverbanol, of grandisol, of (+)-hinesol and of 10-epi-(+)-hinesol. He is especially noted for his development of novel organosilicon reagents. Particularly striking are the elegant and short syntheses of R-(+)-frontalin and of oestrone. In addition Magnus is the first to construct primary helical molecules, the helixanes. Magnus is one of the most fertile and gifted of the younger synthetic chemists. |