Philip Magnus has made important contributions to organic synthesis, including the inventive application of new reactions and of new reagents. In association with Derek Barton, he participated in a long series of publications 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, Philip was the first to construct primary helical molecules, the helixanes. He is one of the most fertile and gifted of the younger synthetic chemists.
Subject groups
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Chemistry
Chemistry, organic
