Education
Harvard University.
Harvard University.
Van Tamelen published five papers while an undergraduate at Hope College. He conducted graduate work at Harvard University, receiving his doctorate in 1950 with Gilbert Stork as his advisor. He began his academic career at the University of Wisconsin, later joining the faculty of Stanford University, where he spent the majority of his career.
Among his many students was Nobelist K. Barry Sharpless.
He pioneered in what is today called biomimetic synthesis. He was the first to identify squalene oxide as a precursor in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.
Van Tamelen was also the first to synthesise Dewar benzene. He developed a system for nitrogen fixation using titanocene. van Tamelen was also the owner of the first Marshall Erdman-built Frank Lloyd Wright-designed pre-fabricated house, commonly known as the "Eugene van Tamelen House".
Eugene van Tamelen died of cancer in 2009.
National Academy of Sciences.