Giving Up Benzyne
From Rolf Huisgen's highly detailed and comprehensive biography The Adventure Playground of Mechanisms and Novel Reactions comes this rather eyebrow-lifting passage:
I wonder: Given the advances in benzyne chemistry over the past 112 years, and that up-and-coming groups make its study a central piece of their research portfolios, would this choice be made in today's research landscape? Readers, have you ever been asked to cease your studies in a certain area because someone more prestigious laid claim?
"I had several reasons for abandoning benzyne chemistry at the beginning of the 1960s. Many groups were active in the field, and other areas like 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition began to blossom in Munich. In addition, Georg Wittig, my venerated senior colleague, signaled in print and word that he regarded dehydrobenzene as his domain."
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| Left, benzyne, in one of its (many) accepted resonance forms Right: Emeritus professor Rolf Huisgen, of dipolar cycloaddition fame |
I wonder: Given the advances in benzyne chemistry over the past 112 years, and that up-and-coming groups make its study a central piece of their research portfolios, would this choice be made in today's research landscape? Readers, have you ever been asked to cease your studies in a certain area because someone more prestigious laid claim?
