News
November 29, 2025
Congrats to Xiaolong Qi et al. for the latest publication in Chin. Chem. Lett. we have developed an efficient dinuclear nickel-catalyzed diarylation of 1,3-dienes using aryl iodides. Mechanistic investigations reveal that a series of redox events facilitated by intramolecular comproportionation between adjacent nickel centers within the bimetallic complex framework, which plays a pivotal role in forging the two new C–C bonds in the process.
November 11, 2025
Congratulations to Hongjun Tian, Lin Gao et al. for their latest publication in ACS Catalysis. We have developed a switchable deoxygenative allylation of amides and aldehydes, enabling regiodivergent access to either α- or β-allylated alkylamines by steering two interconvertible intermediates.
October 15，2025
Congrats to Yuyang Su et al. for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We demonstrate a nickel-catalytic system that achieves the regioselective double hydroboration of unsymmetrical internal alkynes with pinacolborane (HBpin), enabling efficient synthesis of sterically congested quaternary 1,1-diboryl alkanes. Mechanistic studies reveal that the catalytic activity originates from in situ-generated Ni nanoclusters, which uniquely activate multiple HBpin simultaneously and enable geminal (H, H) and (B, B) addition to alkynes.
August 13，2025
August 05，2025
Congrats to Lili Shao, Zeikai Fang, et al. for the latest publication in Nat. Commun. In this work, We have developed a dinuclear copper-catalyzed asymmetric [3+2] annulation between tertiary propargylic carbonates and diverse C,O-bisnucleophiles under mild conditions, using binuclear copper catalysts supported by chiral benzo[c]cinnoline dioxazoline frameworks. The proposed mechanism demonstrates that the binuclear Cu core can plays a bifunctional role in coordinating both acetylide and allenylidene species via σ and π interactions. Potential dinuclear synergy positions the electrophilic site of the copper-allenylidene intermediates near the chiral pocket, facilitating stereocontrolled quaternary carbon center formation from dialkyl propargylic alcohols. This spatial arrangement overcomes inherent steric challenges in the stereoselective formation of quaternary carbons bearing dual alkyl substituents and provides mechanistic insights into cooperative dinuclear catalysis for asymmetric transformations.
June 31，2025
Congrats to Gaoyin Wang et al. for the latest publication in Organometallics. We have developed a a dinuclear cobalt complex-catalyzed monoisomerization of linear alkyl α-olefins to 2-alkenes. H2O is found to play a significant role in the control of regioselectivity, turning a mixture of multiisomers into 2-alkenes in high yields with excellent regioselectivity.
June 13，2025
Congrats to Yan Luo et al. for the latest publication in Nat. Chem. We have developed a dirhodium/Xantphos or dirhodium-palladium dual catalyzed three-component reaction of diazo compounds, allylic electrophiles, and DMF was disclosed, to afford a wide variety of highly functionalized tertiary amine products. Notably, a large diversity of diazo esters, formamides and allylic substrates can be applied in this reaction, providing a variety of interesting molecules with an extensively rearranged skeleton, including α-aminoketones, ring-extended structures and cyclopentenones, in a highly atom-economical and step-efficient way. Combined experimental mechanistic investigation and DFT calculations suggested that a dyotropic type rearrangement of the in situ formed amino epoxy intermediate is the key for the current catalytic Domino process.
March 30，2025
Congrats to Ke Chen et al. for the latest publication in Nat. Commun. We have developed a dinickel-complex-catalyzed dimerization and hydrocarbofunctionalization of unsymmetrical internal alkynes with organoborons, providing a series of pentasubstituted 1,3-dienes with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. Mechanistic studies suggest that each Ni site can promote distinct elementary steps of two alkynes to generate a di-vinyl di-Ni intermediate. Such a mode of “binuclear convergent catalysis” is fundamentally different from the traditional mono-metallic catalysis and may provide new understanding on binuclear synergistic effects at atomic and molecular level.
January 17，2025
Congrats to Hongjun Tian et al. for the latest publication in Sci. Adv. We have developed a novel Ir/photoredox/Ni/Ir multi-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction between amides and aryl iodides, leading to the synthesis of valuable β-arylamine derivatives with high efficiency.
January 7，2025
Congrats to Jie Xu et al. for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have developed a dirhodium(II)/palladium(0) dual catalyzed three-component [1 + 1 + 3] annulation process, allowing for the rapid assembly of 3-methylenepyrrolidines and 3-methylenetetrahydrofurans from anilines or water, diazo compounds, and allylic diacetates.
December 10，2024
Congrats to Guangli Xu et al. for the latest publication in Science China Chemistry. We have developed a dirhodium(II)/(S)-MeO-BIPHEP catalytic system for the challenging asymmetric β-alkenylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. A couple of drug-derived substrates were also compatible with the protocol, which has been successfully used to prepare biologically relevant pyranochromene compounds.
October 2，2024
Congrats to Yong Liu and Hongda Chen for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have disclosed a synergistic asymmetric molecular Cu catalysis with Pd nanoparticle catalysis. Enabled by this synergistic dual Cu/Pd catalyst system, an enantioselective coupling between readily available aldimine esters and alkynes is successfully achieved, affording a diverse set of α-quaternary allyl amino ester derivatives in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities.
September 14，2024
Congrats to Yu Lan et al. for the latest publication in Org. Chem. Front. We report a novel strategy for the synthesis of chiral 2-oxazolidinones via a dinuclear copper-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic amination–carboxylative cyclization sequence of propargylic esters with nucleo-philic alkyl amines under ambient pressure of carbon dioxide.
July 2，2024
Congrats to Yuxiao Wang et al. for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have developed a mixed Sm-SmI2 system promoted deoxygenative trifluoromethylation/silylation of amides with TMSCF3, yielding α-CF3-α-TMS-amines in high efficiency. In this reaction both CF3 and TMS group were introduced into the same carbon of products, which is quite different from the previously reported reaction mode of TMSCF3.
June 28，2024
Congrats to Jian Yao et al. for the latest publication in Sci. China Chem. We report an asymmetric Pd/Ag dual metal catalytic system for the non-directed, site- and enantioselective domino Heck/intermolecular C−H functionalization of arenes. Mechanistic studies showed that Pd and Ag act in cooperation in the catalysis and the chiral bisphosphine ligand plays a bifunctional role, i.e., assisting the silver species in the cleavage of the aryl C−H bond, while inducing the enantioselectivity on direct complexation with palladium.
March 15，2024
Congrats to Xiyike Deng et al. for the latest publication in Org. Lett. We have developed an asymmetric deoxygenative functionalization of secondary amides with vinylpyridines has been achieved by multiple catalysis using a triple iridium-photoredox-chiral brønsted acid catalytic system, leading to various chiral amines in good yields with good enantioselectivities.
February 8，2024
Congrats to Hongda Chen et al. for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have developed a three-component coupling of terminal alkynes, diazo esters, and allylic compounds by novel Rh−Cu cooperative catalysis under mild conditions, leading to quick access to a variety of 1,5-enynes with all−carbon quaternary centers or an unprecedented acylation−allylation of carbene via a Meyer−Schuster rearrangement while using propargylic alcohols. Mechanism studies disclosed the CuCl precursor may aggerate to Cu clusters and nanoparticles (NPs), and the Rh(II) dimer may dissociate to monomeric species, wherein a Cu NPs-catalyzed alkynylation of carbenes may work in cooperation with a dirhodium(II) or Rh(I)-catalyzed allylic alkylation.
January 10，2024
Congrats to Jian Yao et al. for the latest publication in J. Org. Chem. We have developed an efficient method for the direct -arylation of benzofurans with aryl iodides, using a palladium trimer complex as the catalyst under mild conditions. A series of drug intermediates were obtained in good yields.
October 30，2023
Congrats to Ke Chen et al. for the latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have developed a dinickel-complex-catalyzed 1,4-selective hydroarylation of 1,3-dienes, showing unique reactivity to switch classic 4,3-selectivity using mono-Ni catalysts. With MeOH as the hydrogen source, a variety of thermodynamically less stable Z-olefins were synthesized with high regio- and stereoselectivity.
October 18，2023
Congrats to Jingan Li et al. for the latest publication in Green Chem. We have developed a methodology merging iridium-catalyzed activation of amides with electro-chemical radical generation to access deoxygenative arylation of secondary amides. The successful application of the electrochemical method in the deoxygenative functionalization of amides would provide an efficient strategy for quick access to value-added amines from inert amides.
October 9，2023
Congrats to Qilong Cai et al. for the latest publication in Chem. We have developed a series of chiral binuclear copper catalysts based on the benzo [c] cinnoline dioxazoline ligands, providing an excellent platform for the reaction development and mechanistic understanding of Cu-catalyzed asymmetric propargylic substitution.
October 8，2023
Congrats to Jian Yao et al. for the latest publication in Sci. Chi. Chem. We have developed a synergistic silver-mediated and palladium-catalyzed non-directed site-selective C-H olefination of arenes with vinyl (pseudo)halides, providing an efficient access to various multi-substituted aryl olefins, including trisubstituted / tetrasubstituted olefins and several complex olefins derived from medicines or natural products, which offers a complementary strategy to the typical Fujiwara-Moritani reaction.
September 25，2023
Congrats to Jie Xu et al. for the latest publication in Jacs Au. We have developed an unprecedented three-component propargylic substitution of -diazo esters with amines and propargylic carbonates under dirhodium/palladium dual catalysis.
June 27，2023
Congrats to Can Zhao et al. for the latest publication in Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. We have developed a nickel-titanium bimetallic system mediated asymmetric reductive aryl-benzylation of alkenes, by the homolytic C-O bond cleavage of benzyl alcohols, leading to various chiral benzene-fused cyclic compounds.
June 16，2023
Congrats to Gaoyin Wang and Zhaoliang Ge for the latest publication in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. We have developed a highly efficient geminal polyfluoroarylation-allylation of diazo esters using a Pd-based catalytic system constructed by self-assembly of a single palladium precursor with two distinct supporting ligands.
June 12，2023
Welcome our new graduate students Shuxin Jiang, Zekai Fang, Yu Lan, Lili Shao and Jingxi He to our Group!
May 25，2023
Our recently published article (Chem. Eur. J. 2023, e202301199) is selected for the FRONT COVER by the Editorial Board! Congrats to all the co-authors!
April 19，2023
Congrats to Feng Jiang et al. for the latest publication in Chem. Eur. J. A combined strategy of relay and cooperative catalysis with a triple iridium-photoredox-organocatalysis system was developed to achieve an unprecedented reductive boration of amides, affording valuable -amino boron products which are viable building blocks.
April 19，2023
Our recently published article (Chin. J. Chem. 2023, 41, 10.1002/cjoc.202300096) is awared as "NHU-CJC Innovation Award" (CJC"新和成《中国化学》创新奖") by the editor-in-chief of CJC! Congrats to Tian and co-authors!
April 10，2023
Congrats to Hongjun Tian et al. for the latest publication in Chin. J. Chem. A divergent protocol via C-O bond cleavage and C-C bond-forming reaction of trifluoromethyl alkenes with free alcohols assisted by titanium reagents was developed, enabling the efficient preparation of both trifluoromethyl alkanes and gem-difluoroalkenes using corresponding alcohols under specific conditions.
March 22，2023
Congrats to Shuang Liu et al. for the latest publication in Chin. J. Org. Chem. The advance of dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of ammonia-borane catalyzed by homogeneous cobalt complexes has been summarized in this short review.
February 3，2023
Our recently published article (Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29, e2022028) is selected and highlighted by the Editorial Board of SYNFACTS! Congrats to all the co-authors!
February 1，2023
Congrats to Wenhan Yang and Jiwen Jiao for their latest publication in Chin. J. Org. Chem. A direct deoxygenative silylation of amides with silylboronate reagents is developed in the presence of SmI2/Mg. The addition of Xantphos ligand can improve the reaction efficiency, probably due to the effect of the reactivity of samarium species by the coordination with Xantphos.
January 10, 2023
Congrats to Jian Yao et al. for the latest publication in Nanoscale. A mild method for the direct C-H arylation was developed with aromatic Pd3+ cluster and Ag salts as catalysts. Catalytic behavior of the Pd cluster was studied. The Pd3 core most likely remains intact and Pd3Ar species might be a key intermediate.
December 18, 2022
Congrats to Jiwen Jiao and Wenhan Yang for their latest publication in J. Org. Chem. We have developed a straightforward and effective protocol of amides as a carbene precursor to realize the Si-H bond insertion reaction.
November 6, 2022
Congrats to Jinyu Zhang, Bin Lu, Zhaoliang Ge et al. for the latest publication in Org. Lett. A novel [Rh]2-catalyzed three-component reaction of readily accessible indoles, diazo compounds, and allylic compounds is developed via a relay carbene-induced C-H functionalization and allylic alkylation process, affording diverse C3-substituted indoles bearing all-carbon quaternary centers in good yields with high atom and step economy.
November 6, 2022
Congrats to Prof. Wang to be selected as "2022 Emerging Investigator" by Science China Chemistry (SCC 2022 新锐科学家）.
October 25, 2022
Congrats to Yuxiao Wang et al. for the latest publication in Cell Rep. Phys. Sci. An easy and convenient access toward -germyl amines from inert amides and hydrogermanes has been realized, which is proposed to proceed through the insertion of Ge-H bond with -aminocarbene generated in situ via the SmI2/Mg activation of amides.
October 14, 2022
Congrats to Zhaoliang Ge and Bin Lu et al. for the latest publication in Chem. Eur. J. A three-component reaction of N, N -disubstituted aniline, -diazo ester, and an allylic electrophile has been realized by [Rh(II)] 2 /Xantphos catalysis, providing a direct access to various aniline derivatives bearing diaryl allylic quaternary centers in good yields.
September 29, 2022
Prof. Wang visited Prof. Manzhou Zhu group who is a world-renowned scientist in the area of cluster chemistry in Anhui University and gave a talk titled by bi (multi)-nuclear metallic catalysis.
September 28, 2022
Prof. Wang gave an oral presentation titled by bi (multi)-nuclear metallic catalysis on the 12th National Organic Chemistry Conference, CCS.
September 27, 2022
Congrats to Ke Chen for winning the Poster Award of the 12th National Organic Chemistry Conference, CCS
September 12, 2022
Congrats to Fangjie Li for the latest publication in Chin. J. Org. Chem. We have developed a novel [Rh2 ]/Xantphos catalyzed one pot sequence for the synthesis of diverse 3-acyl-3-ally l oxindoles derivative s from easily avail able N-aryl- -diazo- -keto amides and allylic compounds.
July 18, 2022
Congrats to Feng Zhao and Feng Jiang for their latest publication in Sci. China Chem. We have developed a deoxygenative alkylation of amides via merging Ir catalyzed amides reduction with a visible light-induced radical generation from alkyl iodides.
July 14, 2022
Congrats to Tianfen Liu and Chuhan Li for their latest publication in Chin. J. Chem. A highly efficient Markovnikov-selective hydroboration of aryl alkenes catalyzed by the in-situ generated metastable Ni nanoparticles has been reported.
July 01, 2022
Welcome our new graduate students Yuyang Su, Xiaolong Qi and Xiantao Luo to our Group!
June 30, 2022
Congrats to Dr. Can Zhao for gaining the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation! Dr. Can Zhao is a hard-working and talented postdoc in our group. He endeavored to apply for this funding and finally got it!
June 30, 2022
June 20, 2022
Congrats to Feng Jiang and Feng Zhao for their latest publication in Cell Rep. Phys. Chem. We have developed a deoxygenative cross-coupling of amides with electrophilic radicals through tandem Ir photochemical organocatalysis.
May 17, 2022
Congrats to Jinyu Zhang and Tianfen Liu for their latest publication in Chin. J. Org. Chem. The recent advance in the in situ generated metal nanocluster catalysis has been summarized in this short review.
April 20, 2022
Congrats to Yang Yang and Bin Lu for their latest publication in ACS Cent. Sci. We have developed a Rh(II)/Xantphos catalyzed geminal difunctionalization of diazo compounds that overcoming O-H insertion to para-selective C-H functionalization of free phenols.
January 10, 2022
Congrats to Dr. Bin Lu on the completion of the postdoc research in our group! Thanks for his hard-working and great contributions to our group! Best of luck in his next journey at Nozaki group in Tokyo University (Japan).
January 10, 2022
Congrats to Youliang He and Yuxiao Wang for their latest publication in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. We have developed a Sm/SmI2-mediated deoxygenative cross-coupling of aromatic amides with polyfluoroarenes through direct C-H functionalization.
November 29, 2021
Congrats to Shucheng Ma and Fangjie Li for their latest publication in ACS Catal. A nickel-catalyzed regioselective difluoroalkylarylation of 1,3-butadiene through a tandem radical process has been reported.
October 26, 2021
Congrats to Ke Chen and co-workers for the latest publication in ACS Catal. We have developed a dinuclear cobalt complex-catalyzed stereodivergent semireduction of alkynes simply by adjusting the amount of water.
October 1, 2021
Congrats to Zhaokun Li and Feng Zhao for their latest publication in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. A relay iridium/copper-catalyzed asymmetric reductive alkynlation of inert amides has been reported.
August 24, 2021
Congrats to Shuo Song, Chunhan Li and Tainfeng Liu for their latest publication in Org. Lett. A HBPin/KOtBu promoted activation of cobalt salt to a heterotopic catalyst for highly selective cyclotrimerization of alkynes has been successfully achieved.
July 23, 2021
Congrats to Bin Lu and Jinyu Zhang for their latest publication in J. Am. Chem. Soc. We have developed a dirhodium(II)/Xanthos-catalyzed relay carbene insertion and allylic alkylation.
June 21, 2021
Congrats to Chunhan Li and Shuo Song for their latest publication in Nat. Commun. We have developed the selective hydroboration of vinylarenes and dihydroboration of nitriles catalyzed by in situ generated heterotopic cobalt catalyst.
June 30, 2021
May 14, 2021
Congrats to Jiwen Jiao for his latest publication in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. We have developed a SmI2/Sm mediated deoxygenative arylation of amides with arylboronic esters by the merging electron transfer with 1,2-metalate rearrangement.
December 16, 2020
Congrats to Youliang He for his latest publication in Org. Lett. This was our first paper! We have developed an iridium-catalyzed deoxygenative reduction of lactams and a tandem cycloaddition reaction with sulfonyl azides for the synthesis of cyclic amidines.
January 14, 2020
Congrats to Prof. Wang for receiving 2020 "Thieme Chemistry Journals Award"!
March 13, 2019
Our research group was established and affiliated to the State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC).