Frederick “Fred” Davis Greene II, professor emeritus in the MIT Department of Chemistry, who excelled in physical organic chemistry and free radicals, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 after a short illness surrounded by his loved ones on Saturday, March 22. He had been a vital part of the MIT community for more than 70 years.
“Greene’s commitment to education, mentorship, and the domain of physical organic chemistry is remarkable,” stated Professor Troy Van Voorhis, head of the Department of Chemistry, when he heard the news of Greene’s demise. “He was also a continual source of happiness to everyone who engaged with him, and his dedication to students and education was legendary. His absence will be profoundly felt.”
Greene, originally from Glen Ridge, New Jersey, was born on July 7, 1927, to parents Phillips Foster Greene and Ruth Altman Greene. His early childhood was spent in China, where his father worked as a medical missionary with Yale-In-China. Greene and his family relocated to the Philippines just before the Japanese invasion preceding World War II, and then moved back to the French Concession of Shanghai, finally reaching the United States in 1940. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1944 and subsequently obtained his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1949 and a PhD from Harvard University in 1952. After spending a year at the University of California at Los Angeles as a research associate, he was appointed a professor of chemistry at MIT by then-Department Head Arthur C. Cope in 1953. Greene retired in 1995.
Greene’s scholarship centered on peroxide decompositions and free radical chemistry, where he reported the extraordinary bimolecular reaction between specific diacyl peroxides and electron-rich olefins and aromatics. He also showed interest in small-ring heterocycles, such as the three-membered ring 2,3-diaziridinones. His investigation additionally encompassed strained olefins, the Greene-Viavattene diene, and 9,9′,10,10′-tetradehydrodianthracene.
Greene was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and received an honorary doctorate from Amherst College for his contributions in free radical research. He served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Organic Chemistry for the American Chemical Society from 1962 to 1988. He was granted a unique fellowship by the National Science Foundation and spent a year at Cambridge University in England and was a member of the Chemical Society of London.
Greene collaborated closely with Professor James Moore of the University of Pennsylvania and his wife, Theodora “Theo” W. Greene, in adapting her PhD thesis, under the supervision of Professor Elias J. Corey at Harvard University, into her book “Greene’s Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis.” The publication turned into an essential reference for any practicing synthetic organic or medicinal chemist and is currently in its fifth edition. Theo, who passed away before Fred in July 2005, was an incredible partner to Greene both personally and professionally. An excellent researcher in her own right, she served as an associate editor of the Journal of Organic Chemistry for many years.
Fred Greene was recently showcased in a series of videos featuring Professor Emeritus Dietmar Seyferth (who passed away in 2020) orchestrated by Professor Rick Danheiser. These videos encompass a variety of themes, including Seyferth and Greene’s reflections from the 1950s to mid-1970s about their fellow faculty members, their hiring processes, lab construction, advancements in teaching and research, the development of the department’s graduate program, and more.
Danheiser remarked that it was an honor to co-instruct the undergraduate class 5.43 (Advanced Organic Chemistry) with Greene. “Fred Greene was an exceptional educator who inspired countless generations of MIT students with his outstanding lectures,” Danheiser remembers. The course they co-taught was Danheiser’s initial teaching role at MIT, and he asserts that Greene’s “advice and mentorship were invaluable to my development.”
The Department of Chemistry acknowledged Greene’s contributions to its educational offerings by dedicating the annual student teaching award as the “Frederick D. Greene Teaching Award.” This accolade honors exceptional contributions to chemistry education by undergraduates. Since 1993, the award has been presented to 46 students.
Dabney White Dixon PhD ’76 was one of many students with whom Greene nurtured a long-lasting friendship and mentorship. Dixon expresses, “Fred Greene was an extraordinary scientist — intelligent, principled, and empathetic in every facet of his life. He possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge in organic chemistry, particularly in mechanistic organic chemistry, as demonstrated through his lengthy term as editor of the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1962 to 1988). Weekly, numerous manuscripts flowed through his office. He had a sharp sense of fairness in assessing submissions and was supportive to those submitting manuscripts. His skill in navigating opposing scientific perspectives was particularly apparent during the heated discussions regarding non-classical carbonium ions in the 1970s.
“Perhaps the most significant contribution Fred made to science was his mentorship. During an era when women were scarce in chemistry PhD programs, Fred’s guidance was especially impactful. I was the pioneering woman in my scientific lineage dating back to the 1500s, and his support instilled confidence within me to face challenges. He and Theo created a nurturing and joyful atmosphere, facilitating my pathway in academia, where I have since fostered 13 PhD students — an even balance of men and women — reflecting the societal advancements in science that Fred championed.
“Fred’s meticulous attention to detail was renowned. He insisted that every novel molecule be entirely characterized spectroscopically before reviewing the data. This approach taught his students the significance of thoroughness, precision, and organization. He also excelled in judging character, entrusting students with as much responsibility as they were ready to assume. His honesty was steadfast — he openly acknowledged errors, setting a powerful example for his students.
“Just before the pandemic, I had the honor of meeting Fred alongside two of his scientific ‘granddaughters’ — Elizabeth Draganova, who was then a postdoc at Tufts (currently an assistant professor at Emory), and Cyrianne Keutcha, who was then a graduate student at Harvard (now a postdoc at Yale). During our discussion about our work, it was astonishing how much science had progressed — from IR and NMR of small-ring heterocycles to surface plasmon resonance and cryo-electron microscopy of large biochemical systems. Yet, Fred’s intellectual curiosity remained as keen as ever. His commitment to excellence, precision, and exploration of chemical mechanisms continued to thrive in his scientific descendants.
“He leaves behind a scientific legacy of chemists who absorbed his teachings on integrity, kindness, and careful analysis, carrying these principles to their own students and research endeavors. His influence on the chemistry field — and on the lives of those privileged enough to have known him — will persist.”
Carl Renner PhD ’74 felt fortunate and privileged to engage with Greene as his doctoral student from 1969 to 1973, and also served as his teaching assistant for the 5.43 course. Renner reminisces, “He had a curious intellect of remarkable clarity and discipline. He prepared his lectures thoroughly and had a genuine affection for his students. He generously offered his time and wisdom. I never heard him complain or say anything uncharitable. Everyone he met came away improved because of it.”
Gary Breton PhD ’91 credits thedevelopment of his passion for physical organic chemistry can be traced back to his experience in Greene’s class. Breton states, “Throughout my tenure in the graduate chemistry program at MIT (1987-91), I was fortunate to learn from some of the most brilliant minds in the field, including Dr. Fred Greene. During this period, all newly admitted graduate students in organic chemistry were divided into small groups for a seminar-style course that convened weekly to explore the clarification of reaction mechanisms, and I was placed in Dr. Greene’s class. It was in this environment that not only did Dr. Greene give me the confidence to tackle reaction mechanisms, but he also sparked my interest in physical organic chemistry. I eagerly accepted the opportunity to join his research group, beginning a love/hate relationship with reactive nitrogen-based heterocycles that persists to this day in my own research lab as a chemistry professor.”
“Anyone who was acquainted with Dr. Greene quickly acknowledged his exceptional intelligence and vast knowledge of organic chemistry; however, under his guidance, I also observed his creativity and ingenuity. More significantly, I experienced his warmth and generosity, along with his subtle sense of humor. Dr. Greene’s lasting impact is evident in the numerous undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs whose lives he influenced throughout his extensive career. He will be profoundly missed.”
John Dolhun PhD ’73 reminisces about Greene’s passion for education, noting that he “was one of the most compassionate individuals I have ever known.” Dolhun reflects, “I met Fred Greene when I was a graduate student. His organic chemistry course was incredibly popular, and he was a preferred choice for many students’ thesis committees. Upon returning to MIT in 2008 and reconnecting with him, he remained insatiably curious — perpetually learning and inquiring. A few years back, he came to visit me, and we shared lunch. When we reached the chemistry building, I reached for the elevator button, but he remarked, ‘I always take the five flights of stairs.’ So, I accompanied him up the stairs. Fred understood the importance of maintaining both mental and physical fitness. He was truly a guiding light in the department.”
Liz McGrath, a retired chemistry staff member, affectionately remembers the regular coffees and discussions she enjoyed with Fred over two decades at the Institute. She expresses, “Fred, who was already emeritus when I arrived, instilled in me a profound interest in the history of MIT Chemistry’s events and its vibrant faculty. His exceptional memory enriched his storytelling of the past. He was a genuine gentleman, generous and kind-hearted. … I will cherish my memories of him.”
Greene is survived by his children, Alan, Carol, Elizabeth, and Phillips; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for April 5 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Winchester, Massachusetts.