Edwin J. Vandenberg, a polymer chemist retired from Hercules, will receive the 2003 Priestley Medal. The annual award, which recognizes distinguished service to chemistry, is the highest honor bestowed by the American Chemical Society.

	Vandenberg

Vandenberg was "very elated" when he found out that he had been selected by the ACS Board of Directors at the ACS national meeting in Orlando.

"He's contributed a lot to polymer chemistry and polymer science, both from a basic and a practical standpoint," according to Robert S. Langer, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "I think it's a wonderful tribute to what he's done."

Vandenberg, 83, is best known for his independent discovery of isotactic polypropylene (polypropylene with all its methyl groups on the same side of the chain) and the discovery and development of catalysts for its manufacture.

In addition, he discovered and patented the hydrogen chain transfer method of controlling the molecular weight of polyolefins made with Ziegler catalysts. He found a route to phenol based on the air oxidation and acid cleavage of cumene, which is now the preferred manufacturing route. He also did pioneering work in the field of coordination polymerization.

"Vandenberg was a primary driving force that shaped the technology of Hercules Inc.," says David A. Simpson, a now-retired former vice president for technology at Hercules. Vandenberg's work helped produce "numerous products of scientific and commercial importance," Simpson says.

Vandenberg received a degree with distinction in engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1939. In 1965, he received an honorary doctorate of engineering from the same institution. He spent 43 years at Hercules.

Since his retirement, Vandenberg has held a position at Arizona State University (ASU), first as a visiting professor and then as a research professor of chemistry. He recently moved to the ASU department of bioengineering as a research scientist. His recent work has focused on biomedical polymers.

Vandenberg has also been active in the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry. "The Division of Polymer Chemistry is proud of Ed Vandenberg's contributions to polymer chemistry, which include seminal contributions in olefin, epoxide, and oxetane polymerization," says Kenneth J. Wynne, professor of chemical engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University and chair-elect of the division. "His leadership activities in POLY have contributed importantly to the division and included serving as chair in 1979."

Vandenberg has received several awards for his work, including the ACS Award in Polymer Chemistry (1981), the ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science (1991), the Charles Goodyear Medal from the ACS Rubber Division (1991), the Herman F. Mark Award from the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry (1992), and the Society of Plastics Engineers International Award (1994).

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