Professor William Motherwell FRS

William Motherwell is an organic chemist best known for his pioneering approach to molecular synthesis involving the invention of new reactions. His work has encompassed the chemistry of metallocarbenoid reactive intermediates, transition metal-mediated reactions, fluorination chemistry and a significant number of free radical chain reactions for the preparation of valuable natural products of biological interest.

In recent years, William has developed an innovative strategy to produce artificial enzymes, and also designed a unique top pan molecular balance to measure the noncovalent interactions responsible for molecular recognition.

The recipient of numerous international awards, William has won the Corday–Morgan Medal, the Bader Award and the Tilden Medal and Lectureship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He received the Silver Medal of the French Natural Product Chemistry Institute (ICSN) in 2000. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2007, he is currently Alexander Williamson Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at University College London.

Subject groups

  • Chemistry

    Chemistry, organic

Professor William Motherwell FRS
Elected 2004
Committees Participated Role
Research Appointment Panel A(ii) December 2016 - December 2020 Member
Royal Society Leverhulme Trust Sr. R'search F'ship Panel January 2013 - December 2015 Member
Sectional Committee 3: Chemistry December 2005 - November 2008 Member