On October 6, our community lost a true pioneer of green chemistry, a colleague, and a mentor – Prof. Roger Sheldon. Roger was not only a prolific researcher in catalysis, biocatalysis, and organometallic chemistry who influenced countless scientists; he was also a visionary advocate for the adoption of green chemistry. Recognizing the importance of evaluating the efficiency of chemical processes, he introduced the E-factor metric in 1992 - a concept that has become foundational in sustainable chemistry.
Throughout his distinguished career, Roger championed green chemistry in numerous ways: chairing conferences, authoring influential books, teaching and lecturing worldwide, and playing a key role in launching the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Green Chemistry journal.
Roger served as an emeritus professor at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Before his academic tenure, he spent two decades in industry at DSM-Adeno and Shell Research Laboratories. He earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Leicester.
His contributions continue to shape the field and inspire generations of chemists committed to sustainability. We are indebted to him for the inspiration and legacy he leaves to the community.
“Few scientists have shaped a field as profoundly as Roger Sheldon did with green chemistry. His pioneering work on catalysis and sustainability metrics laid the groundwork for responsible innovation across the chemical sciences. His legacy resonates strongly with IUPAC’s mission to advance responsible chemistry, inspiring a global community of scientists and engineers to make chemistry a driving force for a more sustainable future."
-Prof. Javier García-Martínez, IUPAC Past-President
“Roger’s pioneering contributions to the field of Green Chemistry — from the concept of atom economy to his practical approaches to sustainable catalysis — have had a lasting and transformative impact on our community. His visionary work laid the very foundations upon which modern Green Chemistry has been built, inspiring countless researchers, including myself.
Beyond his scientific legacy, Roger will be remembered as a generous mentor and a true gentleman in science. His ideas, enthusiasm, and integrity will continue to guide future generations.”
-Masahiko Matsukata, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
“Prof. Sheldon contributed to the development of the iGAL 2.0 metric since 2014. I met him at a GC&E Conference where he gave a talk on the history of the E-Factor. He was a role model—very inspirational and easy to talk to.”
-Frank Roschanger, Boehringer Ingelheim
Read additional reflections on Roger Sheldon's life from the community on our Linkedin post.
Contribute a celebration of Roger's contribution to our field: The ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering journal will publish a special issue honoring the memory of Roger Sheldon. Read more and find out how you can contribute.