Professor Emeritus Milan Potáček, a prominent figure in Czech organic chemistry, has passed away

Professor Milan Potáček studied chemistry and mathematics at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, from 1961 to 1966 and graduated with a degree in organic chemistry. After completing his studies, he worked as an assistant professor at the Department of Organic Chemistry, where he obtained his RNDr. degree in 1968 and served as head of the department from 1992 to 2007. In 1995, he was appointed associate professor and two years later professor in the field of organic chemistry. In 2025, he was appointed professor emeritus by the rector of Masaryk University.

He also developed his scientific expertise abroad, completing postdoctoral fellowships at the University of East Anglia and serving as a visiting professor at the Université Catholique de Louvain.

Professor Potáček was not only a renowned scientist, but also an extremely popular teacher. He lectured on a number of basic and specialized courses in organic chemistry, which he enriched with practical demonstrations of reactions and modern teaching materials. He is the author or co-author of 14 textbooks and lecture notes that have shaped generations of chemistry and biochemistry students. Under his guidance, 77 master's and 20 doctoral students successfully completed their studies.

His scientific work focused primarily on the organic synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, particularly the study of pericyclic reactions and their regio- and stereoselectivity. His work has resulted in 97 scientific publications in international impact journals with more than 660 citations and 11 Czech patents.

Professor Potáček also made a significant contribution to the development of the department's infrastructure, the modernization of laboratories, and the support of teaching within the framework of projects of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. He was actively involved in a number of expert committees and councils at Czech universities and in the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, where he served as panel chair from 2007 to 2010.

Thanks to his efforts, major international conferences were held at Masaryk University: the 12th Symposium on Heterocyclic Compounds a 6th Blue Danube Symposium on Heterocyclic Chemistry (1996), the 11th Blue Danube Symposium on Heterocyclic Chemistry (2005), the 3rd International Conference on Microwave Chemistry (2006), and the 14th Conference on Heterocycles in Bioorganic Chemistry (2011), where he served as chair of the organizing committee.

Professor Milan Potáček left a deep mark on the Czech and international chemical community. Colleagues, students, and friends will remember him not only as an extraordinary expert, but also as a kind and inspiring person who dedicated his life to science and education.

The funeral service will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Old Brno.