Eugene G. Rochow
Encyclopedia
Eugene George Rochow was an American inorganic chemist. Rochow worked on organosilicon chemistry
; in the 1940s, he described the direct process
, also known as the Rochow process or Müller-Rochow process.
Born in Newark, New Jersey
, Rochow obtained both B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University
in 1931 and 1935 respectively. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he began working for a General Electric
subsidiary. In 1948, Rochow resigned from GE due to his Quaker beliefs. He joined the faculty at Harvard University
where he remained until his retirement in 1970. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 1949. In 1962, he was awarded the Perkin Medal
. Rochow died in Fort Myers, Florida
aged 92.
Organosilicon
Organosilicon compounds are organic compounds containing carbon silicon bonds. Organosilicon chemistry is the corresponding science exploring their properties and reactivity.Like carbon, the organically bound silicon is tetravalent and tetrahedral...
; in the 1940s, he described the direct process
Direct process
The Direct Process, also called the Direct Synthesis, Rochow Process, and Müller-Rochow Process is the most common technology for preparing organosilicon compounds on an industrial scale. It was first reported independently by Eugene G. Rochow and Richard Müller in the 1940s...
, also known as the Rochow process or Müller-Rochow process.
Born in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Rochow obtained both B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1931 and 1935 respectively. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he began working for a General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
subsidiary. In 1948, Rochow resigned from GE due to his Quaker beliefs. He joined the faculty at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
where he remained until his retirement in 1970. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1949. In 1962, he was awarded the Perkin Medal
Perkin Medal
The Perkin Medal is an award given annually by the American section of the Society of Chemical Industry to a scientist residing in America for an "innovation in applied chemistry resulting in outstanding commercial development." It is considered the highest honor given in the US industrial chemical...
. Rochow died in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
aged 92.