Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal

The Sir Derek Barton Gold Medal recognises work in any area of organic chemistry which reflects the many diverse interests associated with Sir Derek.

Rules and Criteria

• Run biennially
• Candidates are permitted to nominate themselves
• Candidates must have had work published at 60 or above.  The age specified is intended to guide nominators and selection panelists; appropriate consideration will be given to those who have taken career breaks or followed different study paths.
• Award winner will be chosen by the Barton Award Selection Panel and overseen the Organic Division Awards committee
• Award winner receives £2000, a medal and a certificate 

About the award

This award was established in 2001 to commemorate the life and work of Sir Derek Barton who died in 1998.

After the development of a new technique of conformational analysis, which gave rise to an entirely new branch of chemistry, and his work on the conformation of the steroid nucleus, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1969.  

He was knighted in 1976 and, rather than facing retirement in the UK at 65, he moved to CNRS, Paris, and then to Texas A&M University, where he worked until the day of his death at age 80.

To celebrate Sir Derek's unique approach to his work, this award is for work published after the age of 60 only.

The award is presented at a special dinner and ceremony held in London which, as specifically requested by Sir Derek in his bequest to the RSC, should include only the finest food and wines.