David MacMillan
Encyclopedia
David W.C. MacMillan is a Scottish
born Professor of Organic Chemistry
in the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University
.
In 1990, he left the UK to begin his doctoral studies under the direction of Professor Larry Overman at the University of California, Irvine
. During this time, he focused on the development of new reaction methodology directed toward the stereocontrolled formation of bicyclic tetrahydrofurans. MacMillan's graduate studies culminated in the total synthesis of 7-(-)-deacetoxyalcyonin acetate, a eunicellin deterpenoid isolated from soft coral Eunicella Stricta. Upon receiving his Ph.D., MacMillan accepted a position with Professor David Evans
at Harvard University
. His postdoctoral studies centered on enantioselective catalysis, in particular, the design and development of Sn(II)-derived bisoxazoline complexes (Sn(II)box).
MacMillan began his independent research career as a member of the chemistry faculty at the University of California, Berkeley
in July 1998. He joined the department of chemistry at Caltech in June 2000, where his group's research interests centered around new approaches to enantioselective catalysis. In 2004, he was appointed as the Earle C. Anthony
Professor of Chemistry. For personal reasons, he moved to Princeton University
in September 2006.
Professor MacMillan's research group has made some advances in the field of asymmetric organocatalysis
, and they have applied these new methods to the synthesis of a range of complex natural products.
Since 2010, Professor MacMillan has been Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Science, the flagship general chemistry journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry
A
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
born Professor of Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
in the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
Biography
Professor MacMillan was born in Bellshill, Scotland in 1968. He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Glasgow, where he worked with Dr. Ernie Colvin.In 1990, he left the UK to begin his doctoral studies under the direction of Professor Larry Overman at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
. During this time, he focused on the development of new reaction methodology directed toward the stereocontrolled formation of bicyclic tetrahydrofurans. MacMillan's graduate studies culminated in the total synthesis of 7-(-)-deacetoxyalcyonin acetate, a eunicellin deterpenoid isolated from soft coral Eunicella Stricta. Upon receiving his Ph.D., MacMillan accepted a position with Professor David Evans
David Evans
-Politicians:* David Ellicott Evans , U.S. Representative from New York, 1827* David Evans , British businessman and Conservative politician, MP 1987–1997...
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...
. His postdoctoral studies centered on enantioselective catalysis, in particular, the design and development of Sn(II)-derived bisoxazoline complexes (Sn(II)box).
MacMillan began his independent research career as a member of the chemistry faculty at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in July 1998. He joined the department of chemistry at Caltech in June 2000, where his group's research interests centered around new approaches to enantioselective catalysis. In 2004, he was appointed as the Earle C. Anthony
Earle C. Anthony
Earle C. Anthony was a pioneer businessman based in Los Angeles, California. He is primarily known for his achievements in two fields: Broadcasting and automobiles...
Professor of Chemistry. For personal reasons, he moved to Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in September 2006.
Professor MacMillan's research group has made some advances in the field of asymmetric organocatalysis
Organocatalysis
In organic chemistry, the term Organocatalysis refers to a form of catalysis, whereby the rate of a chemical reaction is increased by an organic catalyst referred to as an "organocatalyst" consisting of carbon, hydrogen, sulfur and other nonmetal elements found in organic compounds...
, and they have applied these new methods to the synthesis of a range of complex natural products.
Since 2010, Professor MacMillan has been Editor-in-Chief of Chemical Science, the flagship general chemistry journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry
A