Skip to content
Learning — Cance — Fellows — Lectures — Health-and-wellness — Society — Science — Medical-conditions

Renowned chemist Frederick Greene, celebrated for his work on free radicals, passes away at the age of 97.

MIT Chemistry Professor Emeritus Frederick D. Greene, aged 97, passes away. Greene, a renowned physical organic chemist, spent more than four decades teaching at MIT, leaving an indelible mark on numerous chemists throughout the generations.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
MIT professor emeritus of chemistry Frederick D. Greene, age 97, has passed away. Distinguished...
MIT professor emeritus of chemistry Frederick D. Greene, age 97, has passed away. Distinguished physical organic chemist and long-serving MIT educator, Greene is renowned for his enduring influence on numerous generations of chemists.

Renowned chemist Frederick Greene, celebrated for his work on free radicals, passes away at the age of 97.

Esteemed professor emeritus, Frederick D. Greene II, who excelled in the field of physical organic chemistry and free radicals, has passed away. Greene, 93, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, March 22, marking the end of a distinguished career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that spanned over seven decades.

As a respected figure in the MIT community, Greene's dedication to teaching, mentorship, and chemical research is widely recognized. In a statement, Troy Van Voorhis, the head of the Department of Chemistry, said, "Greene's impact on the Department of Chemistry is significant and enduring. His contributions to teaching, research, and mentorship will be missed profoundly."

Born on July 7, 1927, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Greene spent his early years in China, where his father was a medical missionary with Yale-In-China. During the tumultuous years leading up to World War II, his family moved to the Philippines and later to Shanghai, before eventually returning to the United States in 1940. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Greene went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Amherst College in 1949 and a PhD from Harvard University in 1952.

In 1953, Arthur C. Cope, then-head of the Department of Chemistry at MIT, appointed Greene as a professor of chemistry. His research focused on peroxide decompositions and free radical chemistry, with notable contributions to the understanding of certain diacyl peroxides, small-ring heterocycles, and various other organic systems.

Greene's achievements were recognized with various accolades over the years, including his election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and an honorary doctorate from Amherst College. He also served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Organic Chemistry from 1962 to 1988, where he oversaw thousands of scientific manuscripts.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Greene was known for his exceptional commitment to students. He formed lifelong friendships and mentorships with many students, including Dabney White Dixon PhD '76, who shared, "Fred Greene was a fantastic teacher and inspired generations of MIT students with his superb lectures."

The Department of Chemistry recognized Greene's contributions by naming the annual student teaching award the "Frederick D. Greene Teaching Award." This award acknowledges outstanding contributions to teaching in chemistry by undergraduate students, reflecting Greene's extensive impact on MIT's academic program.

Outside of MIT, Greene collaborated with researchers from the University of Philadelphia on his wife's, Theodora "Theo" W. Greene, PhD thesis, converting it into the popular reference book, "Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis." The book remains an essential resource for practicing synthetic organic and medicinal chemists.

Fred Greene is survived by his children, Alan, Carol, Elizabeth, and Phillips; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on April 5 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Winchester, Massachusetts. Greene's passing marks the end of a remarkable career in chemistry, during which he made significant contributions to the field and inspired countless students and colleagues.

  1. As a distinguished chemist, Frederick D. Greene II specialized in physical organic chemistry and free radicals.
  2. Greene's teaching, research, and mentorship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spanned over seven decades.
  3. The impact of Greene's contributions to the Department of Chemistry at MIT is significant and enduring.
  4. Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Greene spent his formative years in China and later returned to the United States in 1940.
  5. Greene's research focused on peroxide decompositions and free radical chemistry, with contributions to diacyl peroxides, small-ring heterocycles, and other organic systems.
  6. Greene was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and received an honorary doctorate from Amherst College.
  7. From 1962 to 1988, Greene served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Organic Chemistry, overseeing thousands of scientific manuscripts.
  8. Greene was known for his dedication to students, forming lifelong friendships and mentorships with many of them.
  9. In acknowledgement of Greene's contributions, the Department of Chemistry at MIT established the "Frederick D. Greene Teaching Award."
  10. Greene collaborated with researchers from the University of Philadelphia on his wife's thesis, converting it into the popular reference book, "Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis."
  11. The passing of Fred Greene leaves behind his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
  12. A memorial service for Greene will be held on April 5 at the First Congregational Church in Winchester, Massachusetts.
  13. Fred Greene's career was marked by significant contributions to the field of chemistry, inspiring countless students and colleagues in education, self-development, health-and-wellness, medical-conditions, and personal growth.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest