He is noted for his contribution to natural product chemistry through the isolation and structural elucidation of compounds from New Zealand native plants.
He studied at the University of Otago, graduating Master of Science with first-class honours in chemistry in 1945.
[8] Corbett's research at Otago was primarily concerned with the study and structural elucidation of essential oils isolated from New Zealand native plants by steam distillation.
Under his supervision in 1970, doctoral student Denis Lauren first isolated the diterpene compound from the rimu tree (Dacrydium cupressinum) that came to be known as laurenene.
[10][11][12] Corbett also investigated extractives from barks, leaves, heartwoods and lichens, and determined the structures of many new, and derivatives of known, di-, tri- and sesquiterpenoids.