Answer
In the 1960s, Richard F. Heck made significant advancements in the Heck reaction, a versatile carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction in organic chemistry. This palladium-catalyzed reaction enables the coupling of aryl or vinyl halides with alkenes or alkynes, providing a powerful tool for constructing complex organic molecules. Heck's research laid the groundwork for numerous applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science.