Yusif Mammadaliyev was born on 31 December 1905. In 1926, he graduated from Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University. In 1942, he defended his ScD thesis on “Synthesis of toluene through alkylation and dealkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons”. In 1943, he was made a professor of petrochemistry. In 1945, he was one of the founders of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, and one of 15 outstanding Azerbaijani academicians. He made a crucial contribution to the development of science in Azerbaijan. In 1945, Yusif Mammadaliyev was elected a full member of ANAS, member of the Presidium and director of the academy`s Oil Institute. From 1947 to 1951 and from 1958 to1961, he served as president of ANAS. In 1948, Yusif Mammadaliyev was elected a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences. From 1951 to 1954, he worked as academic secretary of ANAS Department of Physics, Chemistry and Oil. He served as rector of Baku State University from 1954 to 1958. His major research interests were in catalytic refinement of oil and oil gas, catalytic aromatization of gasoline fraction of Baku oil, production of washing substances and silicium-organic compounds, production of plastic substances of pyrolysis material and mechanisms of impact of Naftalan oil.

During the World War Two he invented “Molotov cocktail” and synthesized isopropylbenzol through alkylating benzol with propylene, which provided Soviet aircrafts with high-octane gasoline.

Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev published more than 200 papers, including six monographs.

He supervised 36 PhD and ScD students in chemistry to completion. He represented Azerbaijan at international conferences, congresses and symposia in the former USSR, USA, Italy (1955, Rome), France (1960, Paris), UK, People’s Republic of Poland (1957-1958, Warsaw), Hungarian People’s Republic and other countries. In 1944, he received “Lenin Order”, in 1946 “Stalin Award”, in 1951 “Badge of Honor”, in 1954 “Red Labor Flag” Order. In 1946, he became a laureate of the USSR State Award. Yusif Mammadaliyev was a deputy of the USSR Supreme Soviet (5th convocation 1958-1961) and Azerbaijan SSR Supreme Soviet (4th convocation, 1955-1959).