On June 14^th 2024 we were delighted to host Professor Qian Zhang from the Department of Chemistry at Northeast Normal University, at the Lihu Campus of Shenzhen University. Professor Zhang gave the 111^th lecture of the Shenzhen Medical Forum, which was chaired by Associate Professor Guo-Kai Liu form the School of Pharmacy of Shenzhen University Medical School. The lecture was titled "New Methods for C–N Bonds Formation Based on Radical Intermediate".

In the lecture, Professor Qian Zhang explained why the construction of C–N bonds is of great importance and detailed the interesting and diverse biological activities of nitrogen-containing compounds. Based on nitrogen radical intermediates, Professor Zhang’s group has realized some new amino-functionalization reactions of unsaturated C–C bonds. Most recently, they realized the amination reaction of cyclobutanes based on both carbon and nitrogen radical intermediates. Professor Zhang also explained how symmetric C–N bond formation via radical intermediates was successfully developed by employing a nuleophilic amination strategy and a cross-coupling strategy between carbon and nitrogen radicals. 

Professor Zhang's lecture received a warm response from the audience, as indicated by an energetic and interactive question and answer session. Professor Zhang gave patient and detailed answers, which greatly benefited all those in attendance. Associate Professor Guo-Kai Liu presented Professor Zhang with the "Shenzhen University Medicine Forum" Honorary Medal on behalf of the Shenzhen University Medical School.

Brief introduction of the speaker

Qian Zhang

Professor, Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University

Education & appointments:

1989 -1993B.S., Northeast Normal University, China

1996-1996M.S., Northeast Normal University, China

2000-2003Ph.D., Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

2004Visiting Scholar, The University of Sydney, Australia

2004-2008Associate Professor, Northeast Normal University, China

2008-Professor, Northeast Normal University, China

Representative Publications

1. Asymmetric Radical Oxyboration of β-Substituted Styrenes via Late Stage Stereomutation. Yuan, X.; Zhang, Y,; Li, Y.; Yin, J.; Wang, S.; Xiong, T.; Zhang, Q. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202313770.

2. Cobalt-Catalyzed Asymmetric Alkylation of (Hetero)Arenes with Styrenes. Qin, T.; Lv, G.; Miao, H.; Guan, M.; Xu, C.; Zhang, G.; Xiong, T.; Zhang, Q. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202201967.

3. Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroamination of Arylalkenes with Secondary Amines. Miao, H.; Guan, M.; Xiong, T.; Zhang, G.; Zhang, Q. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202213913.

4. Cobalt-Catalyzed Radical Hydroamination of Alkenes with N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimides. Qin, T.; Lv, G.; Meng, Q.; Zhang, G.; Xiong, T.; Zhang, Q. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 25949.

5. Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroamination: A Unified Strategy for the Synthesis of Chiral β-Amino Acid and Its Derivatives. Zhang, G.; Liang, Y.; Qin, T.; Xiong, T.; Liu, S.; Guan, W.; Zhang, Q. CCS Chemistry, 2020, 2, 1737.

Research interests:

Development of novel reactions and strategies for organic synthesis.