Our research program is centered at tackling several long-standing challenges in synthetic chemistry by integrating supramolecular catalysis, nano-chemistry and state-of-the-art electrochemical and photochemical catalysis in energy research. The key aspects of our approach are:

(1) leveraging short-lived reactive intermediates, both temporally and spatially, using precisely fabricated electrodes, to develop novel electrochemical transformations;

(2) achieving radical reactions with superior selectivity by pre-organizing substrates or catalysts in molecular recognition systems.

• Surface functionalized and nanostructured electrodes-enabled redox reactions

Electrochemistry represents an ideal platform to perform radical reactions with outstanding controllability and sustainability. We aim to develop novel geometrically and chemically functionalized electrode constructions to unlock new electrochemical reactions. Applications include redox-neutral transformations that require cooperative oxidative and reductive half reactions and precise control of electron transfer selectivity by covalent or non-covalent modification of electrode surfaces, to kinetically favor oxidation/reduction of a particular substrate.

• Selective radical reactions in supramolecular assemblies

Mitigating reactivities and selectivity of radical transformations still lacks general solution in modern organic synthesis. To address this challenge, we aim to achieve selective C­−H activation of hydrocarbons by an intramolecular proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism. Selectivity will be leveraged by the binding geometry of the substrate with the molecular catalyst, and the reactive site in proximity to the catalyst will be kinetically favored for chemical transformation.

• Use ammonia as nitrogen source in organic synthesis

Despite the large-scale global production of ammonia and the prevalence of nitrogen-containing motifs in drug molecules and functional materials, direct use of ammonia molecule in organic synthesis to access amines and heterocyclic compounds is still rare. This is mainly due to the strong dissociation energy of the N–H bond and its propensity to form clusters with hydrogen bonding. With rational design of homogeneous photocatalyst and heterogeneous electrocatalyst, we will explore the potential of using ammonia in economical organic synthesis.