Günther Wilke

Günther Wilke (23 February 1925 – 9 December 2016) was a German chemist who was influential in organometallic chemistry. He was the director of the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung) from 1967–1992, succeeding Karl Ziegler in that post.^[2] During Wilke's era, the MPI made several discoveries and achieved some financial independence from patents and a gift from the Ziegler family. The institute continued as a center of excellence in organometallic chemistry.

Günther Wilke
Born	(1925-02-23)23 February 1925 Heidelberg, Germany
Died	9 December 2016(2016-12-09) (aged 91)
Nationality	German
Known for	Organo-Nickel Chemistry
Awards	Willard Gibbs Award (1991) Wilhelm Exner Medal (1980).[1]
Scientific career
Fields	inorganic chemistry
Institutions	Max Planck Institute for Coal Research

Wilke's own area of interest focused on homogeneous catalysis by nickel complexes. His group discovered or developed several compounds including Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)₂, Ni(allyl)₂, Ni(C₂H₄)₃. Some of these complexes are useful catalysts for the oligomerization of dienes.^[3] He died in 2016 at the age of 91.^[4]

Wilke is credited with the discovery of bis(cyclooctadiene)nickel(0), a useful homogeneous catalyst.

Honours and awards

• Seven honorary doctorates
• corresponding member of the math and science class abroad
• Wilhelm Exner Medal in 1980.^[1]
• Former Vice President of the Max Planck Society (1978-1990)
• Member of the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Science (President 1994-1997)^[5]
• Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Halle
• Member of the Academia Europaea
• Foreign member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (1977)^[6]
• Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
• President of the German Chemical Society (Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker)
• Chairman of the Society of German Scientists and Physicians
• Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1987)