Geoffrey Coates, the celebrated organometallic chemist, has died aged 95. In his academic research, Geoffrey worked with hazardous air- and moisture-sensitive compounds containing metal-carbon or metal-hydrogen bonds. Their study helped our understanding of chemical bonding (and of questions of safety), and ended in new catalysts, semiconducting materials and reagents to be used within the chemical, oil, plastics and pharmaceutical industries.
His authoritative book on organometallic compounds, which grew from a slim monograph to a comprehensive, two-volume third edition in a decade, greatly helped generations of scholars and researchers.
Born in London, he was the elder son of 2 chemists, Joseph (onetime professor of chemistry on the University College of Swansea) and Ada. Educated at Clifton college, Bristol, Geoffrey studied chemistry on the Queen’s College, Oxford, then worked on high-energy substances (flares, explosives, bomb disposal) in the course of the second world war, before taking a lectureship at Bristol University in 1945.
In 1953 he moved to Durham University as head of the chemistry department, and through a higher 15 years transformed a small, fragmented unit in assorted buildings right into a well-balanced department housed in a contemporary building he designed, staffed and equipped. It’s now some of the UK’s leading chemistry departments.
A stickler for accuracy, Geoffrey could seem brusque, but was basically utterly unselfish, kind and considerate, concerned that individuals must be treated fairly. Though reserved, he was an excellent lecturer whose spectacular demonstrations, humour and inspired body language entertained and informed.
Having delivered what Durham needed, Geoffrey moved to the University of Wyoming in 1968 to play the same role there. His wife, Jean, whom he married in 1951, made her own career in medicine there. Retiring in 1979, Geoffrey remained very active, roaming the wild countryside, acquiring new skills, exploring the area on freighters and dealing for global causes promoting fairness and equality.
He launched our own careers, and greatly enriched our lives; we etc are proud to be members of his large scientific family. He’s survived by Jean, by his daughter, Helen, and son, Peter, and by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nephews. Geoffrey’s younger brother, John, the celebrated naval architect, died in 2010.
