Herbert Charles Brown (May 22, 1912–December 19, 2004) was a chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1979 (along with Georg Wittig) for his work with organoboranes .
Brown was born Herbert Brovarnik in London to Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. He moved to the United States at a young age and was educated at the University of Chicago, earning a B.S. and Ph.D. in 1936 and 1938, respectively. He became professor at Purdue University in 1947, a position he had held emeritus until his death.
During World War II, Brown discovered a method for producing sodium borohydride (NaBH4), which can be used to produce boranes, compounds of boron and hydrogen. His work led to the discovery of the first general method for producing asymmetric pure enantiomers.
Brown was quick to credit his wife Sarah with supporting him and allowing him to focus on creative efforts by handling finances, maintaining the house and yard, etc. According to Brown, after receiving the Nobel prize in Stockholm, he carried the Medal and she carried the $100,000 award.
He died December 19, 2004, at a hospital in West Lafayette, Indiana after a heart attack. Surviving are his wife, his son, and his granddaughters.
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