Research

My research focuses on transition metal catalysis, mechanistic studies and applications to stereoselective synthesis of chiral drugs. An emphasis is placed on asymmetric catalytic reactions for fundamental  C-C bond formation. Chiral drugs contribute to one third of small-molecule drugs today. Nowadays, almost all of newly approved small-molecule drugs are made in optically pure forms to avoid toxicity caused by unwanted isomers.

Other research interest includes: 1) Application of photocatalysis and reactive radical species in metal catalysis. 2) Replacement of expensive noble metals with Earth-abundant late 3d metals. 3) Stereoselective formation of strained rings, deuterated and fluorinated compounds, which are becoming increasingly important in medicines.

Currently, ongoing projects (2024) in our lab include:

1) nickel and cobalt-catalyzed reductive (conjugate) addition reactions of aldehydes, ketones and Michael acceptors

2) palladium- and nickel-catalyzed Heck arylation and radical alkylation reaction

3) nickel-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation