Linus Pauling was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry 1954 "for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances"1 however he made significant discoveries in many areas of chemistry including physical and biochemistry. He also made several contributions to both theoretical and applied science from genetic diseases to diagnostic technology.2 Professor G. Hägg, member of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry stated in 1954 that “we chemists are keenly aware of the influence and simulative effect of your pioneer work”3, furthermore Pauling’s influence to science was often acknowledged by colleagues not only as one of the two greatest scientists of the 20th century but
…show more content…
Electronegativity helps to explain polar molecules and the differences in ionic and covalent bonding.5, 6 Pauling went on to introduce two new concepts bond-orbital hybridisation and bond resonance both to help explain covalent bonding. Bond-orbital hybridisation, which occurs when atomic orbitals mix to form new atomic orbitals, also explained the arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Bond resonance describes the delocalisation of electrons seen in graphite. Pauling’s work during the 1920’s on his original concepts and many examples of different types of chemical bonds gave chemists fundamental principles they could learn and apply in their own work. Chemists using his ideas now could accurately predict new compounds and their chemical reactions. In 1939 all of his work on bonding and structures was collated in his definitive book “The Nature of the Chemical Bond and the Structure of Molecules and Crystals”. The book was translated into several languages and the third edition is still in
Electronegativity helps to explain polar molecules and the differences in ionic and covalent bonding.5, 6 Pauling went on to introduce two new concepts bond-orbital hybridisation and bond resonance both to help explain covalent bonding. Bond-orbital hybridisation, which occurs when atomic orbitals mix to form new atomic orbitals, also explained the arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Bond resonance describes the delocalisation of electrons seen in graphite. Pauling’s work during the 1920’s on his original concepts and many examples of different types of chemical bonds gave chemists fundamental principles they could learn and apply in their own work. Chemists using his ideas now could accurately predict new compounds and their chemical reactions. In 1939 all of his work on bonding and structures was collated in his definitive book “The Nature of the Chemical Bond and the Structure of Molecules and Crystals”. The book was translated into several languages and the third edition is still in