Donald J. Cram
Facts
Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.
Donald J. Cram
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1987
Born: 22 April 1919, Chester, VT, USA
Died: 17 June 2001, Palm Desert, CA, USA
Affiliation at the time of the award: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Prize motivation: "for their development and use of molecules with structure-specific interactions of high selectivity."
Prize share: 1/3
Work
Chemical reactions often occur through the influence of molecules that have cavities and pockets where other atoms and molecules can be attached to then join with other molecules. After Charles Pedersen discovered crown ethers, molecules that can capture certain metallic atoms, Donald Cram succeeded in building molecules with the ability to attach specific atoms and molecules to themselves. This made it possible to create chemical compounds through chemical reactions that have a significant impact on biological processes.
Learn more
Nobel Prizes 2018
Their work and discoveries range from cancer therapy and laser physics to developing proteins that can solve humankind’s chemical problems. The work of the 2018 Nobel Laureates also included combating war crimes, as well as integrating innovation and climate with economic growth. Find out more.
