Emil Fischer—Unequalled Classicist, Master of Organic Chemistry Research, and Inspired Trailblazer of Biological Chemistry

The founder of the chemistry of primary natural products (carbohydrates, purines and nucleosides, and peptides and proteins) was Emil Fischer (see picture). He elucidated the stereochemistry of carbohydrates, introduced the assignment of configuration, developed asymmetric syntheses and protecting-group chemistry, and was the first to obtain synthetic peptides by targeted chain extension. He uncovered the substrate selectivity and stereoselectivity of enzyme reactions, formulated the lock-and-key principle of biological recognition, and became the father of biochemistry. He was born 150 years ago, and 100 years ago he received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.