Hans Fischer Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1930. Date of Birth: 27.07.1881 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Education
2. Research and Discoveries
3. Synthesis of Heme
4. Nobel Prize and Later Research
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Hans Fischer was born on July 27, 1881, in Höchst am Main, Germany, to Eugen Fischer, a chemist and director of the dye manufacturer "Kalle," and Anna Gerdegen. After completing elementary school in Stuttgart, he received his secondary education in Wiesbaden, which he completed in 1899.

At the University of Lausanne, Fischer studied chemistry and medicine before continuing his education at the University of Marburg. In 1904, he earned his doctorate in chemistry and four years later received his medical degree.

Research and Discoveries

Following his medical practice at the Second Medical Clinic in Munich, Fischer spent 1909 conducting chemistry experiments under the guidance of Emil Fischer (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1902) at the First Berlin Chemical Institute. Here, he investigated the complex structures of carbohydrates and peptides.

Upon his return to Munich in 1910, Fischer began studying the structure of bilirubin, a reddish-yellow pigment found in bile that was chemically similar to heme. In 1911, he turned his attention to deciphering the structure of heme. He recognized that porphyrins, complex metal-containing compounds, were the basis of natural pigments such as bilirubin and heme.

Synthesis of Heme

Fischer's work on porphyrins culminated in his synthesis of heme in 1929. He first synthesized four possible etioporphyrins, derivatives of porphyrin with similar structures to the porphyrin in heme. From these, he synthesized 12 of the 15 possible meso porphyrins, which had even closer structures to heme.

By systematically varying the substituents on the porphyrin ring, Fischer was able to identify one of the 12 meso porphyrin isomers that was identical to the porphyrin obtained from natural heme. He then successfully synthesized heme from meso porphyrin in several steps.

Nobel Prize and Later Research

In recognition of his groundbreaking work on the structure of heme and chlorophyll, Fischer was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1930. He continued his research on bile pigments, completing the structural elucidation of bilirubin in 1931.

Fischer then embarked on the more complex task of studying chlorophyll. He determined the structures of chlorophylls a and b in 1939 and 1940, respectively. His plans to fully synthesize chlorophyll were ultimately achieved by Robert Woodward in 1960.

Personal Life and Legacy

A demanding teacher, Fischer felt a deep responsibility for his students and supported them in every way he could. Despite his dedication to chemistry, he also enjoyed mountaineering and skiing. He believed that physical exertion provided a refreshing respite from the rigors of scientific research.

Fischer was a passionate researcher who was deeply affected by the disruption of his work during World War II. On March 31, 1945, he took his own life out of despair over the destruction of his institute during a bombing raid.

Fischer's contributions to chemistry, particularly his pioneering work on natural pigments, have had a profound impact on the field. His legacy continues to inspire researchers and advance our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of life.