معرفی
Samir Zard (born 1955) is a French chemist and exceptional class professor at the École Polytechnique. He serves as the director of the Department of Chemistry and Organic Synthesis (DCSO) and chairs the Chemistry Department at École Polytechnique. His work focuses on organic synthesis, radical chemistry, and polymer science, notably developing the Barton-Zard reaction and MADIX/RAFT polymerization techniques. He holds academic leadership roles and contributes to scientific editing as an editor of Tetrahedron Letters.
- Education:
- Bachelor of Science from Imperial College London (1970s).
- PhD in Chemistry from Paris-Sud University (1983), under Derek Barton.
Research Interests:
Zard specializes in synthesizing complex molecules and new organic reactions. His innovations include:
- Development of the Barton-Zard reaction for pyrrole synthesis.
- Advances in radical chemistry using xanthates for polycyclic natural product synthesis.
- Pioneering the MADIX/RAFT method for cost-effective controlled radical polymerization, enabling applications in adhesives, cosmetics, and coatings.
Awards and Recognition:
- French Legion of Honor (2007).
- CNRS Silver Medal (2007).
- Grand Prix Achille-Le-Bel (2012).
- Grignard-Wittig Award (2008).
Academic Leadership and Outreach:
Zard mentors researchers at École Polytechnique and contributes to global chemistry discourse via lectureships (e.g., Barton Lecturer, Birch Lecturer). His team-driven approach emphasizes fostering young talent and practical applications of chemical innovation.
He leads the DCSO department, prioritizing collaborative research environments and sustainable synthetic methods.
