Otto Wallach was born in 1847 in Koenigsberg, Germany. He studied chemistry at the University of Goettingen. In 1870 he moved to Bonn, where he was appointed Professor of Chemistry in 1876. In 1889 he returned to the University of Goettingen and served as professor and director of the Chemistry Institute until he retired in 1915. Wallach continued his research until the age of 80.

In 1910 Otto Wallach won the Nobel prize in Chemistry “In recognition of his services to organic chemistry and the chemical industry by his pioneer work in the field of alicyclic compounds.”

Wallach’s main contribution was in laying the groundwork for the identification of the terpenes – a group of natural and synthetic hydrocarbons – and in determining the characteristics of camphor. camphor is a natural substance with a sharp aromatic smell, used in medicine for its sterilizing and anesthetic capabilities, and in the cosmetics industry for its pleasant aroma.

Wallach’s main contribution was in laying the groundwork for the identification of the terpenes – a group of natural and synthetic hydrocarbons – and in determining the characteristics of camphor. camphor is a natural substance with a sharp aromatic smell, used in medicine for its sterilizing and anesthetic capabilities, and in the cosmetics industry for its pleasant aroma.

Otto Wallach passed away in 1931.