Percy L. Julian, PhD, DSc.Percy L. Julian, PhD, DSc.

A Biographical Sketch A Biographical Sketch byby

Jimmy Prude Jimmy Prude Oak Park & River Forest

High SchoolHigh School

Oak Park, IllinoisOak Park, Illinois

© 2001

About Percy Julian

Percy Julian was Percy Julian was known as the “soy known as the “soy bean chemist” for bean chemist” for his success in his success in making new drugs making new drugs & chemicals from & chemicals from soy-bean and other soy-bean and other plants.plants.

Percy Julian was born inMontgomery, Alabama,

on April 11, 1899

College & graduate education

U. of Vienna

BA (1920)

Harvard U.. AM (1923)

PhD (1931)

DePauw U..

Ph.D. University of Vienna, 1934

At Vienna Percy found his lifelong interest in the synthesis of nature’s complex molecules

K.T. Finley

Synthesis of physostigmine

In 1934 at DePauw University Percy Julian synthesized physostigmine from the amino acid, tryptophan.

Dr.Julian’s inventions from soy bean protein

Latex paints (Glidden’s Latex paints (Glidden’s Speed Satin)Speed Satin)

Fire-fighting foam Fire-fighting foam (AeroFoam)(AeroFoam)

Water-resistant paper Water-resistant paper coatingscoatings

Soy beansSoy beans

Encyclopedia Britannica, 1999

How Foam WorksHow Foam WorksHow Foam WorksHow Foam Works SeparatesSeparatesSeparatesSeparatesSmothersSmothersSmothersSmothers

CoolsCoolsCoolsCools

SuppressesSuppressesSuppressesSuppresses

AeroFoam fire extinguisher

International Fire Service Training Association, 1992

Extraction of soy bean sterols

Solid alcohols for synthesis of:progesteronetestosteronecortisone

Sex hormones from soy beans

OH

O

H

3

C O

CH

O

Progesterone TestosteroneCourtesy of Dr. Hutcheon, 1999

Synthesis of cortisone

Dr. Julian is known Dr. Julian is known for his synthesis of for his synthesis of cortisone which is cortisone which is used to fight used to fight arthritis & other arthritis & other ailments of the ailments of the connective tissues.connective tissues.

Julian process for synthesis of cortisone

Diosgenin

16-dehydropregnenolone

Compound S

Cortisone Hydrocortisone

Julian process

LC Mills, 1965

Julian Laboratories in Franklin Park

Photo courtesy of Jennings Miller

Honors & awards

Elected to National Elected to National Academy of Academy of Sciences in 1973Sciences in 1973

Spingarn Award of Spingarn Award of NAACP in 1947NAACP in 1947

Procter Prize in Procter Prize in Chemistry by Sigma Chemistry by Sigma Xi in 1974.Xi in 1974.

Photo at Sigma Xi Awards Ceremony

Percy Julian Centennial 1999

Faith Julian, Vernon Jarrett, & Percy Julian, Jr. Faith Julian, Vernon Jarrett, & Percy Julian, Jr. at Percy Julian Centennial on April 11, 1999.at Percy Julian Centennial on April 11, 1999.

Photo by Lee BalgemannPhoto by Lee Balgemann

Finale

Percy Lavon Julian was born in Percy Lavon Julian was born in 1899 & he died in 1975.1899 & he died in 1975.

He was one of our greatest He was one of our greatest chemists. chemists.

May his legacy live on!May his legacy live on!

Anand N, Bindra JS, Ranganathan S: Art in Organic Synthesis 2nd ed. New York: Wiley, 1988.Fox MA, Whiresell JK: Organic Chemistry. 2nd ed. Boston: Jones & Bartlett, 1997.Julian PL, Cole JW, et al. Sterols XIII. Chemistry of the adrenal cortex steroids. Recent Progress in Hormone Research, Vol vi, 1951.Witkop, Bernard: Percy Lavon Julian: April 11, 1899-April 19, 1974. (sic). In: Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences. Vol. 52. Washington, 1980.

References.1.

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Acknowledgements

Earl AustriaMary Confray-PolkDuncan HutcheonJoan Kotas

Tom McCoyJennings MillerNorbert TeclawDonald Vogl

Section on Computer ScienceOak Park & River Forest High School

Oak Park, Illinois

Section on Computer ScienceOak Park & River Forest High School

Oak Park, Illinois