Charles M. Starks

Dr. Charles M. Starks was a pioneering chemist recognized as the patriarch of phase-transfer catalysis (PTC), introducing the concept and the 'Starks Extraction Mechanism' in his landmark 1971 paper in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. His work revolutionized industrial and academic chemistry with its simplicity and enduring impact, still taught in university courses worldwide. He passed away on September 29, 2025, leaving a profound legacy in chemical innovation.