Otto Paul Hermann Diels (German pronunciation:[ˈɔtoˈdiːls]ⓘ; 23 January 1876 – 7 March 1954) was aGermanchemist. His most notable work was done withKurt Alder on theDiels–Alder reaction, a method for cyclohexene synthesis.[1] The pair was awarded theNobel Prize in Chemistry in 1950 for their work. Their method of synthesizing cyclic organic compounds proved valuable for the manufacture of synthetic rubber and plastic.[2] He completed his education at theUniversity of Berlin, where he later worked. Diels was employed at theUniversity of Kiel when he completed his Nobel Prize-winning work, and remained there until he retired in 1945. Diels was married, with five children. He died in 1954.
Commemorative plaque for Otto Diels in Kiel, Germany
Immediately after graduating from the University of Berlin, he was offered a position with the Institute of Chemistry at the school. He advanced quickly through the ranks at the school, eventually ending up as Department Head in 1913.[1] He remained at the University of Berlin until 1915, when he accepted a position at theUniversity of Kiel, where he remained until his retirement in 1945. It was during his time at Kiel, where he worked withKurt Alder developing theDiels–Alder reaction, for which they were awarded theNobel Prize in Chemistry in 1950.[1] His work with Alder developed a synthetic method which allows the synthesis of unsaturated cyclic compounds.[1] This work was important in the production of synthetic rubber and plastic compounds.[2]
The reaction discovered by Diels and Alder in 1928
Diels married Paula Geyer in 1909. The couple had five children together, three sons and two daughters. Two of his sons werekilled in action duringWorld War II. In his free time, Diels enjoyed reading, music and traveling. He died on 7 March 1954.[1]
[1]Archived 2020-10-18 at theWayback Machine English Translation of Diels and Alder's seminal 1928 German article that won them the Nobel prize. English title: 'Syntheses of the hydroaromatic series'; German title "Synthesen in der hydroaromatischen Reihe".
