The research that eventually got Odd Hassel the Nobel Prize in Chemistry started in the 1930s and continued during the Second World War until our time. Hassel used a new method – the gas phase electron diffraction (GED) – to observe free molecules. He had no research group, money, nor equipment to do the work, but was supported by father and son Goldschmidt and the Mineralogical institute at Tøyen.
In 1934 he became a professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Oslo and he bought an electron diffraction apparatus in Oxford with his own savings. This apparatus didn´t work as intended and together with Christen Finbak he started building their own apparatus.
When the first experiments were about to start the Germans invaded Norway. The research got interrupted, but already by the autumn of 1940 they were continuing their work. In 1943 they published the article that led to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The research article was written in Norwegian
The research article became an international breakthrough, and it was written in Norwegian – not because Hassel was worried about Norwegian terminology and professional language, but because all chemistry publications at the time were written in German.
Publishing the article in Norwegian was Hassel's protest against the German occupation. The fact that the article nevertheless got international attention shows that his research was very interesting, despite the language barrier. The article was translated to English in 1970 because of the Nobel Prize Award.
3D structures were revealed
The research article was about a group of molecules that many chemists had discussed the structure of for several years. Some meant that the cyclohexane-molecule looked a little bit like a swimming ring of carbon atoms with angles of 120 º. Others meant that the molecule looked like a boat or a sun bed with angles of 109 º.
Hassel's method consisted of using electron diffraction to look at this molecule in the gas phase. He revealed something of great value to chemistry: That a molecule can have several conformations, that is, different 3D structures, but still consisting of the same atoms in the same order.
What have we learned from Hassel?
Hassel was an active researcher and he was known for being visionary and courageous. When we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hassel receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry we wish to show these sides of his work. Where has it taken us? What does the molecular structure has to say for our understanding of natural sciences? How do we study the structure of molecules today? And what can we learn from Hassel's way of working?
The first day of the event – 31st of October – we will host a debate with the following topic: Innovation on the cost of long term basic research – or room for both? The day is completed with an exhibition opening at the Department of Chemistry.
Day two will take place in the premises of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and consists of the research on molecules 3D structures and function in todays research. The day will be completed with a tapas dinner.
The event requires registration, and for participation on day two there is also a participation fee of 350 NOK.
Read more about the event and register.
The deadline for registration is the 4th of October for both days.