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Holger Erdtman 1902–1989
Phyrochemurry, Vol 29, No 6, pp 1713-1714, Pergamon Press plc Prmted m Great Braan
1990
HOLGER ERDTMAN
1902-l 989
Professor Holger Erdtman died on 13 December 1989, at the age of 87. He was born m Sweden, 25 Apt-11 1902. Holger Erdtman showed great interest m Phytochemistry He has been a member of the Edttorral Board smce thts journal was founded m 1961 until he asked for ‘retirement’ in 1986. He was also an active member of the Edttortal Advisory Board of Tetrahedron and associated journals Erdtman studred chemistry, botany and zoology for a ‘fil ambetsexamen’ (correspondmg to a BSc.) at the Umverslty of Stockholm, at that time ‘Stockholms Hdgskola’ After graduation (1926) he contmued to do research m chemistry for a hcentiate degree (correspondmg to a Ph.D.) m the laboratory of the late Professor Hans von Euler at the University of Stockholm. Already at that ttme he made a very important scientific discovery. He Identified the acttvation factor of bovine phosphatase. He later told of his dtsappomtment m this discovery, because the actrvatton factor was found to be Mg2+ and not an organic compound One may speculate what kmd of career Erdtman would have had as a btochemtst! As a young student Holger Erdtman was already clear about his wishes to become an organic chemist and to study the chemistry of natural products This important branch of chemistry was hardly represented m Sweden at that time; therefore, he decided to go abroad for further studies and research m order to complete the requirements for a Swedish doctorate (D.Sc.). The subject of hts thesis work was the chemistry of humtc acids and phenol dehydrogenation products The mam part of thts work was done while Erdtman was on a Ramsey-fellowship durmg a two year stay m England wtth Professor Str Robert Robinson first at the University College, London (192991930) and then Oxford Umversrty (1930-1931). He completed the work during the autumn of 1931 m the laboratortes of Professor F. Flchter m Base1 and E. SpHth m Vienna The years with Sir Robert Robinson became most important and determining for Erdtman’s future work Sir Robert and Holger Erdtman became good friends and kept close contacts m the years that followed, which turned out to be most excttmg for organic chemistry and natural product chemistry. Extensive studies on humlc acids and related phenohc compounds led Erdtman to some original and important observatrons on oxtdattve phenohc couplings (phenohc dehydrogenattons) Structural studies on the couplmg product of tsoeugenol led him to the hypothesis that hgmn was a dehydrogenatton product of comferyl alcohol These early mvesttgattons made by Erdtman were of fundamental importance Already by that time he had conceived the idea of phenol dehydrogenatton m biosynthesis, that later became mcreasmgly important for the understanding of the biosynthesis and chemtstry of hgmns, hgnans, hchen depstdones, some alkaloids and many other natural products The role of oxldattve phenohc couplings m biosynthesis became the subject of numerous mvesttgattons by other researchers as well as by Erdtman and his co-workers. Several of the early predtcttons made by Erdtman have been verified. 1713
In 1932-1933 Erdtman was appomted as a research asststant in organic chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm In 1933 he returned to Stockholm University as a research associate of Professor Hans von Euler. After a short period as a high school teacher Erdtman became a research fellow of the Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory. In 1945 he was appointed the position as professor of organic chemistry of the Royal Institute of Technology m Stockholm where he remained active to the retirement and also as an emeritus professor In 1935 Erdtman studied the alkaloid gramme. This work led, by comcidence, to the dtscovery of a new group of local anaesthetics. This discovery, which was further developed by others, led to the Important local anaesthetic a-NJ-dtethylamino-2,6-dimethylacetamhde (‘Lidocam’ or ‘Xylocam’), which became one of the best known products of the Swedish pharmaceutical industry During his time with the Swedish Forest Products Laboratory, Erdtman solved an old problem. He discovered why it is not possible to use pme wood in sulphite pulpmg, whereas this method works very well when using other wood species. He showed that a compound m the heartwood of pine, which he isolated and named pmosylvin, reacted wtth the hgnin m the sulphite process and formed msoluble products The discovery of pmosylvm mltiated Erdtman’s most extensive research efforts He noted the taxonomic sigmficance of pmosylvm and other phenohc constituents of pines. Thts important observation started a long series of studies m the field of chemotaxonomy and as a result Erdtman became one of the pioneers in thts field This research led not only to sigmficant chemotaxonomic results, but also to fundamental achievements m natural product chemistry. He and his co-workers isolated and determrned the structures of a number of compounds, some of which belonged to novel structural types. Particularly important was the mvestigatton and structural elucidation of the conifer tropolones. The fundamental importance of this work was recognized not only by natural product chemistry, but also by theoretical chemists The list of important conifer constituents, the structures of which have been elucidated by Erdtman and his co-workers, includes many well known compounds of essential oils and oleoresms Other research activities which Erdtman took up include synthetic plant hormones, synthetic mcotme analogues, pollen constituents, and lichen extractives. Furthermore, he mitiated fruitful collaborations with botanists, plant physiologists, and entomologists, which resulted m valuable mformation on fungicidal and msecticidal properties of some plant constituents As an emeritus professor Erdtman started a new research project based on his knowledge and experience of phenohc compounds and oxtdative phenohc couplings He developed synthetic methods for complex dibenzofurans and macrocychc phenol/aldehyde condensation products He was fascinated by the properties of the macrocychc compounds, some of which later became most mterestmg for the development m the field of host/guest chemistry Holger Erdtman was not only a well-known organic chemist, but also a most skilful lecturer m scientific as well as m popular contexts. He was a devoted and popular teacher, who generously shared his knowledge, experience and ideas His hvmg interest m science fascmated his students and colleagues, and he had a great number of co-workers from all over the world Holgcr Erdtman’s interest for promotmg contacts between chemists from all parts of the world is well known In particular, this interest was expressed m his work for IUPAC He was the president of the IUPAC Division of Organic Chemistry during the years 1959-1963, and he was one of the mitiators of its Commission for Chemical Plant Taxonomy He was one of the pioneering advocates for arranging IUPAC symposia on the chemistry of natural products He was the president of the IUPAC Division of Organic Chemistry when this idea materiahzed with the first symposium being held m Australia m 1960. He participated m this and many of the symposia that followed He was the president of the symposium m Sweden m 1966 Holger Erdtman received many marks of honour. In 1956 he was invited to deliver the ‘Karl Folker Lecture’ at the University of Ilhnots and the University of Wisconsm In 1957 the Chemical Society m London awarded him the ‘Flmthoffmedal’ m recognition of his contributions encompassing the fields of chemistry and biology He was also awarded the prestigious ‘Arrhemus medal’ of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the education medal (~Pedugogmedallen’) as well as the ‘Bror Holmberg medal’ of the Swedish Chemical Society. Holger Erdtman was a fellow of the ‘Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’, the ‘Royal Swedish Academy of Engmeermg Sczences’, and the ‘Royal Swedzsh Academy of Forestry and Agrxulture’ Nature was not only the roots of Erdtman’s ideas and conceptions, it was also his foremost source of recreation He and his wife, Gunhild, who was also his fellow worker for many years, were as familiar with the forests close to then summer home, Hasselbacken, as with the ram forests of Borneo Their home has always been open to co-workers, students and friends from all over the world We will miss and remember Holger Erdtman as a man of vision with great charm and personality Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
TORBJORNNORIN
1990
HOLGER ERDTMAN
1902-l 989
Professor Holger Erdtman died on 13 December 1989, at the age of 87. He was born m Sweden, 25 Apt-11 1902. Holger Erdtman showed great interest m Phytochemistry He has been a member of the Edttorral Board smce thts journal was founded m 1961 until he asked for ‘retirement’ in 1986. He was also an active member of the Edttortal Advisory Board of Tetrahedron and associated journals Erdtman studred chemistry, botany and zoology for a ‘fil ambetsexamen’ (correspondmg to a BSc.) at the Umverslty of Stockholm, at that time ‘Stockholms Hdgskola’ After graduation (1926) he contmued to do research m chemistry for a hcentiate degree (correspondmg to a Ph.D.) m the laboratory of the late Professor Hans von Euler at the University of Stockholm. Already at that ttme he made a very important scientific discovery. He Identified the acttvation factor of bovine phosphatase. He later told of his dtsappomtment m this discovery, because the actrvatton factor was found to be Mg2+ and not an organic compound One may speculate what kmd of career Erdtman would have had as a btochemtst! As a young student Holger Erdtman was already clear about his wishes to become an organic chemist and to study the chemistry of natural products This important branch of chemistry was hardly represented m Sweden at that time; therefore, he decided to go abroad for further studies and research m order to complete the requirements for a Swedish doctorate (D.Sc.). The subject of hts thesis work was the chemistry of humtc acids and phenol dehydrogenation products The mam part of thts work was done while Erdtman was on a Ramsey-fellowship durmg a two year stay m England wtth Professor Str Robert Robinson first at the University College, London (192991930) and then Oxford Umversrty (1930-1931). He completed the work during the autumn of 1931 m the laboratortes of Professor F. Flchter m Base1 and E. SpHth m Vienna The years with Sir Robert Robinson became most important and determining for Erdtman’s future work Sir Robert and Holger Erdtman became good friends and kept close contacts m the years that followed, which turned out to be most excttmg for organic chemistry and natural product chemistry. Extensive studies on humlc acids and related phenohc compounds led Erdtman to some original and important observatrons on oxtdattve phenohc couplings (phenohc dehydrogenattons) Structural studies on the couplmg product of tsoeugenol led him to the hypothesis that hgmn was a dehydrogenatton product of comferyl alcohol These early mvesttgattons made by Erdtman were of fundamental importance Already by that time he had conceived the idea of phenol dehydrogenatton m biosynthesis, that later became mcreasmgly important for the understanding of the biosynthesis and chemtstry of hgmns, hgnans, hchen depstdones, some alkaloids and many other natural products The role of oxldattve phenohc couplings m biosynthesis became the subject of numerous mvesttgattons by other researchers as well as by Erdtman and his co-workers. Several of the early predtcttons made by Erdtman have been verified. 1713
In 1932-1933 Erdtman was appomted as a research asststant in organic chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm In 1933 he returned to Stockholm University as a research associate of Professor Hans von Euler. After a short period as a high school teacher Erdtman became a research fellow of the Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory. In 1945 he was appointed the position as professor of organic chemistry of the Royal Institute of Technology m Stockholm where he remained active to the retirement and also as an emeritus professor In 1935 Erdtman studied the alkaloid gramme. This work led, by comcidence, to the dtscovery of a new group of local anaesthetics. This discovery, which was further developed by others, led to the Important local anaesthetic a-NJ-dtethylamino-2,6-dimethylacetamhde (‘Lidocam’ or ‘Xylocam’), which became one of the best known products of the Swedish pharmaceutical industry During his time with the Swedish Forest Products Laboratory, Erdtman solved an old problem. He discovered why it is not possible to use pme wood in sulphite pulpmg, whereas this method works very well when using other wood species. He showed that a compound m the heartwood of pine, which he isolated and named pmosylvin, reacted wtth the hgnin m the sulphite process and formed msoluble products The discovery of pmosylvm mltiated Erdtman’s most extensive research efforts He noted the taxonomic sigmficance of pmosylvm and other phenohc constituents of pines. Thts important observation started a long series of studies m the field of chemotaxonomy and as a result Erdtman became one of the pioneers in thts field This research led not only to sigmficant chemotaxonomic results, but also to fundamental achievements m natural product chemistry. He and his co-workers isolated and determrned the structures of a number of compounds, some of which belonged to novel structural types. Particularly important was the mvestigatton and structural elucidation of the conifer tropolones. The fundamental importance of this work was recognized not only by natural product chemistry, but also by theoretical chemists The list of important conifer constituents, the structures of which have been elucidated by Erdtman and his co-workers, includes many well known compounds of essential oils and oleoresms Other research activities which Erdtman took up include synthetic plant hormones, synthetic mcotme analogues, pollen constituents, and lichen extractives. Furthermore, he mitiated fruitful collaborations with botanists, plant physiologists, and entomologists, which resulted m valuable mformation on fungicidal and msecticidal properties of some plant constituents As an emeritus professor Erdtman started a new research project based on his knowledge and experience of phenohc compounds and oxtdative phenohc couplings He developed synthetic methods for complex dibenzofurans and macrocychc phenol/aldehyde condensation products He was fascinated by the properties of the macrocychc compounds, some of which later became most mterestmg for the development m the field of host/guest chemistry Holger Erdtman was not only a well-known organic chemist, but also a most skilful lecturer m scientific as well as m popular contexts. He was a devoted and popular teacher, who generously shared his knowledge, experience and ideas His hvmg interest m science fascmated his students and colleagues, and he had a great number of co-workers from all over the world Holgcr Erdtman’s interest for promotmg contacts between chemists from all parts of the world is well known In particular, this interest was expressed m his work for IUPAC He was the president of the IUPAC Division of Organic Chemistry during the years 1959-1963, and he was one of the mitiators of its Commission for Chemical Plant Taxonomy He was one of the pioneering advocates for arranging IUPAC symposia on the chemistry of natural products He was the president of the IUPAC Division of Organic Chemistry when this idea materiahzed with the first symposium being held m Australia m 1960. He participated m this and many of the symposia that followed He was the president of the symposium m Sweden m 1966 Holger Erdtman received many marks of honour. In 1956 he was invited to deliver the ‘Karl Folker Lecture’ at the University of Ilhnots and the University of Wisconsm In 1957 the Chemical Society m London awarded him the ‘Flmthoffmedal’ m recognition of his contributions encompassing the fields of chemistry and biology He was also awarded the prestigious ‘Arrhemus medal’ of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the education medal (~Pedugogmedallen’) as well as the ‘Bror Holmberg medal’ of the Swedish Chemical Society. Holger Erdtman was a fellow of the ‘Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’, the ‘Royal Swedish Academy of Engmeermg Sczences’, and the ‘Royal Swedzsh Academy of Forestry and Agrxulture’ Nature was not only the roots of Erdtman’s ideas and conceptions, it was also his foremost source of recreation He and his wife, Gunhild, who was also his fellow worker for many years, were as familiar with the forests close to then summer home, Hasselbacken, as with the ram forests of Borneo Their home has always been open to co-workers, students and friends from all over the world We will miss and remember Holger Erdtman as a man of vision with great charm and personality Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
TORBJORNNORIN