Zahradník Rudolf

Prof., Ing., DrSc., Dr.h.c.mult.
Born October 20, 1928 in Bratislava, † 2020

• Physical chemistry, quantum chemistry
• Member of Learned Society since 1994 (Founding member)
• First President of LS 1994–1997

Educational and professional preparation:

• 1952, graduate, Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague;
• 1956, CSc. Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (CSAS), Prague;
• 1968, DrSc. (CSAS);
• 1967, Associate Professor, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University (FS CU);
• 1989, Full Professor of physical chemistry, FS CU.

Employment and academic positions:

• Head, Department of Applied Quantum Chemistry, J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry (HIPC), CSAS, a number of years; later head of the group on theory of chemical reactivity at HIPCl
• 1990-1993, Director, J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic (AS CR);
• 1993-2001, President, AS CR;
• 2001, elected honorary president of AS CR;
• 2001-present, resumed work in theoretical chemistry at Heyrovský Institute;
• 1965-1990, visiting professor at eleven institutions: University of Giessen, University of Würzburg, Institute of Technology, Darmstadt, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, (all in FRG); University of Leipzig (GDR); University of Groningen, the Netherlands; University of Basel, Switzerland; University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. (both USA); and University of Osaka, Sendai University (both Japan).

Membership and positions in international organizations and societies:

• 1982, Member, International Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences
• 1982, Fellow, World Association of Theoretical Organic Chemists
• 1992, Member, European Academy of Arts, Science and Literature (Paris)
• 1994, Member, European Academy for Environmental Affairs
• 1994, Corresponding member, Croatian Academy of Sciences
• 1995, Founding member, Engineering Academy of the Czech Republic (Prague)
• 1997, Member, European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg)
• 2000, Member, Academia Europaea (London)

Notable awards:

• 1946, Junák (Boy Scout) bronze cross (1939-1945)
• 1987, Honorary member, Chemical Society of German Democratic Republic (GDR)
• 1988, Honorary member, Swiss Chemical Society
• 1989, Medal, Slovak Institute of Technology, Bratislava
• 1990, J. Heyrovský Gold Plaque (for contributions to the chemical sciences)
• 1992, Votoček Medal, Institute of Chemical Technology (Prague)
• 1993, Dr.rer.nat.h.c., Technical University (Dresden)
• 1993, Dr.h.c., University of Fribourg
• 1994, Dr.h.c., Technical University of Pardubice
• 1994, Gold Medal, SAS (for chemistry)
• 1995, Gold Medal, Charles University (Prague)
• 1996, Dr.h.c., Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
• 1996, Marin Drinov Medal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
• 1998, Dr.h.c., Charles University
• 1998, Dr.h.c., Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY)
• 1998, Medal, J.M. Marci Spectroscopical Society
• 1998, Silver Medal, Capital City of Prague
• 1998, State Award, Czech Republic (for contributions to scientific and social activities)
• 1998, Honorary Citizen of City of Třeboň
• 1998, Austrian Honorary Cross Class I (Vienna) (for the sciences and the arts)
• 1999, Order „Pro ecclesia et pontifice,“ Pope John Paul II
• 1999, Gold Medal, Slovak Chemical Society
• 2000, Dr.h.c., Comenius University (Bratislava)
• 2000, Honorary Member, Association of German Chemists
• 2000, Josef Hlávka Medal
• 2002, Dr.h.c., University of Waterloo (Canada)
• 2002, Honorary Citizen of Capital City of Prague
• 2003, Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (awarded by the Premier of the Government of the Republic of France)

Selected publications:

• Zahradník R.: An Attempt of Calculating the Taft´s Constants s*. Nature 184, 1865 (1959)
• Zahradník R., Chvapil M.: Study of the Relationship between the magnitude of Biological Activity and the Structure of Aliphatic Compounds. Experientia 16, 511 (1960)
• Zahradník R., Michl J., Koutecký J.: Fluoranthene-like Hydrocarbons: MOLCAO Study of Electronic Spectra, Charge-transfer Spectra and Polarographic Reduction. J. Chem. Soc. 4998 (1963)
• Zahradník R.: Electronic Structure of Heterocyclic Sulfur Compounds. Advances In Heterocyclic Chem., Vol. 5 (A. Katritzky, Ed.). Academic Press, New York 1965, p. 1
• Zahradník R.: Elektronenstruktur und Eigenschaften nicht-alternierender Kohlen-wasserstoffe. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 4, 1039 (1965)
• Čársky P., Zahradník R.: MO Approach to Electronic Spectra of Radicals. Topics Curr. Chem. 43, 1 (1973)
• Čársky P., Zahradník R.:  Ab Initio Calculations and Absolute Rate Theory. Critical test for a Series of Elementary Gas-Phase Reactions. Int. J. Quantum Chem. XVI, 243 (1979)
• Hobza P., Zahradník R.: Intermolecular Interactions between Medium-Sized Systems. Nonempirical and Empirical Calculations of Interaction Energies: Successes and Failures. Chem. Rev. 88, 871 (1988)
• Fabian J., Zahradník R.: Auf der Suche nach tieffarbigen organischen Verbindungen. Angew. Chem. 101, 693 (1989); Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 28, 677 (1989)
• Zahradník R., Šroubková L.: Estimates of Quantum Chemical Molecular Characteristics for Complete Basis Sets. Isr. J. Chem. 2003