Jay Kochi

Jay Kazuo Kochi (1927–2008) was a physical organic chemist who held lectureship at Harvard University, and faculty positions at Case Institute of Technology, 1962-1969, (now Case Western Reserve University), Indiana University, 1969 to 1984, and the University of Houston, 1984 to 2008.

Kochi received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1949 and his Ph.D. at Iowa State University in 1952 with George S. Hammond and Henry Gilman as advisors. For the majority of his faculty career, he was located at the University of Houston, where he was Welch Professor.

Kochi's research examined the interactions of electron donors and acceptors. One topic of his study was the nitration of benzene to give nitrobenzene. Kochi's work showed that this reaction proceeds via a complex between benzene (the donor) and nitrosonium ion (the acceptor). He also contributed to many aspects of organometallic chemistry.

Kochi received many awards for his research, including election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Kochi was of Japanese descent and he and his family were forcibly interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center during World War II.