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The organic chemist and the quantum through the prism of R. B. Woodward

  • A. Ganesan ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: October 7, 2025
Pure and Applied Chemistry
From the journal Pure and Applied Chemistry Volume 97 Issue 11

Abstract

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics (QM). In this perspective, I highlight that QM is not only a playground for physical chemists but of tremendous value to organic chemists as exemplified in its ever-increasing role in the career of Nobel prizewinner R.B. Woodward. Over three decades, this ranged from the prediction of UV-visible absorption wavelengths arising from electronic excitations to the importance of molecular orbital symmetry and the derivation of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules for pericyclic reactions.

Keywords: Curly arrows; molecular orbitals; pericyclic reactions; R. B. Woodward; spectroscopy; quantum science and technology
Corresponding author: A. Ganesan, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK, e-mail:
Dedication: I dedicate this article to Professor Clayton H. Heathcock, gifted scientist and extraordinary mentor, in advance of his 90th birthday. Happy Birthday, Clayton! Article note: A collection of invited papers to celebrate the UN’s proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Acknowledgments

I thank the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University for their friendship and support.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The author states no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2025-06-03
Accepted: 2025-09-23
Published Online: 2025-10-07
Published in Print: 2025-11-25

© 2025 IUPAC & De Gruyter

Articles in the same Issue

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  2. IUPAC Recommendations
  3. Experimental methods and data evaluation procedures for the determination of radical copolymerization reactivity ratios from composition data (IUPAC Recommendations 2025)
  4. IUPAC Technical Reports
  5. Kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of commercially available dialkyldiazenes (IUPAC Technical Report)
  6. FAIRSpec-ready spectroscopic data collections – advice for researchers, authors, and data managers (IUPAC Technical Report)
  7. Review Articles
  8. Are the Lennard-Jones potential parameters endowed with transferability? Lessons learnt from noble gases
  9. Quantum mechanics and human dynamics
  10. Quantum chemistry and large systems – a personal perspective
  11. The organic chemist and the quantum through the prism of R. B. Woodward
  12. Relativistic quantum theory for atomic and molecular response properties
  13. A chemical perspective of the 100 years of quantum mechanics
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  15. Quantum chemistry – from the first steps to linear-scaling electronic structure methods
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  21. Combining molecular fragmentation and machine learning for accurate prediction of adiabatic ionization potentials
  22. Thermodynamic and kinetic insights into B10H14 and B10H14 2−
  23. Quantum origin of atoms and molecules – role of electron dynamics and energy degeneracy in atomic reactivity and chemical bonding
  24. Clifford Gaussians as Atomic Orbitals for periodic systems: one and two electrons in a Clifford Torus
  25. First-principles modeling of structural and RedOx processes in high-voltage Mn-based cathodes for sodium-ion batteries
  26. Erratum
  27. Erratum to: Furanyl-Chalcones as antimalarial agent: synthesis, in vitro study, DFT, and docking analysis of PfDHFR inhibition
https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2025-0534
Keywords for this article
Curly arrows; molecular orbitals; pericyclic reactions; R. B. Woodward; spectroscopy; quantum science and technology

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. IUPAC Recommendations
  3. Experimental methods and data evaluation procedures for the determination of radical copolymerization reactivity ratios from composition data (IUPAC Recommendations 2025)
  4. IUPAC Technical Reports
  5. Kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of commercially available dialkyldiazenes (IUPAC Technical Report)
  6. FAIRSpec-ready spectroscopic data collections – advice for researchers, authors, and data managers (IUPAC Technical Report)
  7. Review Articles
  8. Are the Lennard-Jones potential parameters endowed with transferability? Lessons learnt from noble gases
  9. Quantum mechanics and human dynamics
  10. Quantum chemistry and large systems – a personal perspective
  11. The organic chemist and the quantum through the prism of R. B. Woodward
  12. Relativistic quantum theory for atomic and molecular response properties
  13. A chemical perspective of the 100 years of quantum mechanics
  14. Methylene: a turning point in the history of quantum chemistry and an enduring paradigm
  15. Quantum chemistry – from the first steps to linear-scaling electronic structure methods
  16. Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics on quantum computers: challenges and opportunities
  17. Research Articles
  18. Alzheimer’s disease – because β-amyloid cannot distinguish neurons from bacteria: an in silico simulation study
  19. Molecular electrostatic potential as a guide to intermolecular interactions: challenge of nucleophilic interaction sites
  20. Photophysical properties of functionalized terphenyls and implications to photoredox catalysis
  21. Combining molecular fragmentation and machine learning for accurate prediction of adiabatic ionization potentials
  22. Thermodynamic and kinetic insights into B10H14 and B10H14 2−
  23. Quantum origin of atoms and molecules – role of electron dynamics and energy degeneracy in atomic reactivity and chemical bonding
  24. Clifford Gaussians as Atomic Orbitals for periodic systems: one and two electrons in a Clifford Torus
  25. First-principles modeling of structural and RedOx processes in high-voltage Mn-based cathodes for sodium-ion batteries
  26. Erratum
  27. Erratum to: Furanyl-Chalcones as antimalarial agent: synthesis, in vitro study, DFT, and docking analysis of PfDHFR inhibition
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