Robert E. Corbett (Mellor Professor 1972-1982)

c. 1980

Chemistry Department

Unpublished

R. E. Corbett MSc (NZ) PhD (Cantab) FNZIC FRSNZ. Professor Ted Corbett’s research was in the field of Natural Products. Early in his career he investigated Penicillia mould metabolites, Puberulic, Puberulonic, and Stipitatic acids and showed that they had a new type of molecular skeleton. He went on to study essential oils, steam distilled from a number of New Zealand native plants. Attention was also turned to extractives from leaves, heartwoods, barks and lichens. The structures of numerous new and derivatives of known sesqui-di- and tri-terpenoids were determined.