Academic Background

Post Doc.   University of Virginia, 1997 - 2000 Post Doc.   North Dakota State University, 1995-1997 Ph. D.        Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, 1994                 Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China M. S.         Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, 1991                 Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. R. China

Research Interests

Overview Multi-disciplinary research including novel macromolecule synthesis, transition metal catalysis and bioactive compound synthesis is undergoing in my laboratory. The physical difference (e.g. solubility and size) between macromolecules, e.g. polymers and dendrimers, and small molecules makes macromolecules especially valuable ligands/catalysts for organic synthesis because they can offer advantages such as easily separation and recovery from the reaction mixture, and may also provide us the opportunity to access catalyst systems that are difficult or impossible to be accessed using monomeric systems. Thus, the central theme of our research is the design and synthesis of novel macromolecules including polymers and dendrimers for catalytic reactions including asymmetric catalysis. We’re also interested in exploring new reactions that convert readily available starting materials to valuable organic compounds for organic synthesis. In addition, the design and synthesis of novel materials with tailored properties will also be actively pursued in general. Projects 1. Dendronized polymers for asymmetric catalysis and for materials application: Dendronized polymers are macromolecules with dendritic side chains attached to polymeric cores. We have designed and synthesized a new type of dendronized polymers - optically active conjugated dendronized polymers as represented by A. Our study of using them as catalysts for asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes shows that they are highly efficient catalysts. This study provides a new direction for the design and synthesis of macromolecular chiral catalysts. Currently we are synthesizing dendronized polymers with other highly enantioselective chiral units. In the mean time, the synthesis and study of dendronized polymers including optically active ones for materials application are also currently under active investigation. 2. Design and Synthesis of highly efficient ligands for Transition Metal Catalysis Transition metal-catalyzed C-C and C-X (X = O, N, etc) bond formations are among the most powerful transformations in organic synthesis and related fields. Development of highly efficient ligands/catalysts represents one of the most important goals in organic/organometallic chemistry. We are currently investigating two related aspects of transition metal catalysis: Design and synthesis of a series of phosphines including macromolecular ones as ligands to access highly active transition metal complexes. Design and synthesis of novel transition metal-containing catalysts for new catalytic reactions.