Roald Hoffmann

Roald Hoffmann is the Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor, Emeritus, in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. He earned a BA in chemistry summa cum laude from Columbia University in 1958, an MA in physics from Harvard University in 1960, and a PhD in chemical physics from Harvard University in 1962 under William N. Lipscomb. During his tenure as Junior Fellow in Harvard's Society of Fellows from 1962 to 1965, he developed the extended Hückel method, a molecular orbital approach that provided insights into the sigma and pi electronic structures of molecules, conformations, and potential surfaces. In 1965, he joined Cornell as Associate Professor, advancing to full Professor of Chemistry in 1968, John A. Newman Professor of Physical Science in 1974, and Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters in 1996.

Hoffmann's research in theoretical chemistry centers on the electronic structure of stable and unstable molecules, transition states, and reactivity in organic, inorganic, and organometallic systems. His collaboration with R. B. Woodward produced the Woodward-Hoffmann rules, detailed in publications such as 'Stereochemistry of Electrocyclic Reactions' (Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1965) and the book 'The Conservation of Orbital Symmetry' (1970), applying symmetry and bonding arguments to predict pericyclic reaction pathways. These contributions revolutionized understanding of concerted reactions, stimulating extensive experimental validation. He shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Kenichi Fukui for theories concerning the course of chemical reactions. Additional honors include the American Chemical Society's A. C. Cope Award in Organic Chemistry (1973, with Woodward), Award in Inorganic Chemistry (1982), and National Medal of Science (1984). Hoffmann has analyzed cluster bonding, surface interactions, and ligand-metal binding using fragment-based approaches and semiempirical methods. He has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, served on editorial boards for journals like Chemical Reviews and Journal of the American Chemical Society, and presented in the PBS series 'The World of Chemistry,' enhancing public appreciation of the field.

Professional Email: rh34@cornell.edu