Herbert C. Brown, 92; Shared 1979 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Herbert C. Brown, the Purdue University chemist who took the often overlooked element boron and converted it into a powerful tool for synthesizing drugs and other biological products, has died. He was 92.

Brown died Sunday of a heart attack at a hospital in West Lafayette, Ind.

Brown created more than 50 combinations of boron and hydrogen that were exceptionally versatile in manufacturing pharmaceuticals and other difficult-to-make organic compounds, a feat that won him a share of the 1979 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Brown shared the prize with German chemist Georg Whittig of the University of Heidelberg, who was honored for his work with phosphorous compounds.

Brown’s achievements revolutionized many areas of chemistry, chopping months off the time required to synthesize new compounds for testing as potential drugs. His compounds led directly to effective manufacturing processes for hydrocortisone, steroids and prostaglandins, all now widely used in treating a broad spectrum of ailments.

Brown held dozens of U.S. patents as well as patents in Canada and Europe. The Herbert C. Brown Laboratory of Chemistry at Purdue is named for him.

Born in London, Brown was the son of Ukrainian Jews who emigrated to England. Brown’s father, a cabinetmaker, moved the family to Chicago when Brown was a toddler and opened a hardware store.

Brown’s father died when he was 14 and Brown, a bright student who had skipped several grades, briefly dropped out to help run the family business. He got his high school diploma and went on to junior college with the goal of becoming an electrical engineer. However, he later said, his career goals changed after he took a chemistry class and became fascinated with the science.

He transferred to the University of Chicago, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Upon graduation, he was given a copy of the book “The Hydrides of Boron and Silicon,” which helped establish his focus on boron for his doctorate, which he earned from the University of Chicago in 1938.

According to his website, he decided to stay in academia when he was unable to find a job as a chemist in industry. He started his teaching career as an instructor at the University of Chicago and later taught at what is now Wayne State University in Detroit. He joined the Purdue faculty in 1947 and remained at the school until 1978, when he retired and took emeritus status.

Brown is survived by his wife, Sarah; a son, Charles, of San Jose; and two grandchildren.