Vladimir Stepanovich Shpak

Born Feb. 7 (20), 1909, in Pskov. Soviet chemist. Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1968). Hero of Socialist Labor (1961). Member of the CPSU from 1939.

Shpak graduated in 1931 from the Lensovet Leningrad Institute of Technology, where he worked from 1932 to 1975, becoming a professor in 1955. Beginning in 1948, he also worked at the Institute of Applied Chemistry, of which he was director from 1952 to 1977.

Shpak’s main works deal with commercial organic chemistry. The synthesis and technological development of the manufacture of many nitro compounds, amines, ethers, esters, and other organic compounds, carried out by Shpak, were introduced in industry. Shpak was also involved in organizing the creation of new branches in the chemical industry, such as the manufacture of organofluorine compounds.

Shpak has been awarded two Orders of Lenin, three other orders, and several medals.