Former Syracuse University professor wins Nobel Prize

Ei-ichi Negishi started award-winning chemistry research while at SU in the 1970s.

Ei-ichi Negishi

A former Syracuse University chemistry professor won the 2010 Nobel Prize for chemistry with breakthrough research that he started while at SU in the 1970s.

Ei-ichi Negishi, who taught at SU from 1972 to 1979, was one of three awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry on Wednesday “for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesi,” according to the Nobel Prize website.

While at SU in 1977, Negishi developed the so-called “Negishi Coupling,” a complex cross-coupling reaction in organic chemistry.

“His publications while at SU formed the foundation for these later studies and represent the seminal work for which he has received the award,” according to a SU news release. Negishi expanded on that research after leaving SU for Purdue University in 1979.

His research is used in the health and energy fields.