Robin Chi Research Group

OrganoCatalysis, Chemical Synthesis, Functional Molecules

The Chi laboratory is committed to the state-of-art original chemistry research that addresses problems of both fundamental and practical significance. A key objective is to develop green and efficient synthetic methods to make functional molecules, and to understand the principles guiding the bong breaking and formation events. We focus on the development of fundamentally novel basic catalytic activation modes with useful synthetic applications for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, agriculture chemicals, fine chemicals, and for efficient assembly and/or modification of polymers, biomolecules, and other functional molecules. Over the past years, we have developed new activation modes and synthetic transformations enabled by N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) as the key organic catalyst. Immediate applications of my lab’s new catalytic approaches include concise and green processes for bioactive molecules such as valuable non-natural amino acids and their derivatives. On the fundamental side, our research has created new understanding of chemical reactivities and new concept on catalytic activations. The lab has also taken serous efforts on collaborative development on bioactive molecules and functional materials, and applied research for innovation and entrepreneurship. Examples of the lab’s research include:

§  NHC organic catalyst-enabled activation of carboxylic esters, including activation of the inert beta-sp3-carbon of saturated esters.

§  Biomimetic single-electron-transfer (SET) radical reactions enabled by NHC catalysts.

§  Oxidative NHC catalysis and reaction controls of aldehydes, including remote-carbon functionalization. 

§  Cooperative catalysis merging NHCs with other catalysts (such as transition metal catalysts, Lewis acid catalysts, and other organic catalysts).

§  Rapid synthesis functional molecules via new NHC catalysis, including ongoing studies for concise asymmetric total synthesis of complex natural products.

§  Multi-disciplinary collaborative research, and application-driven research for  innovation and entrepreneurship

Robin 1

Robin Chi

Full Professor; NRF Investigator

 

Education:

Undergraduate: Tsinghua & HKBU (2002)

PhD: UW-Madison, USA (under Sam Gellman, 2007)

Postdoc: UC-Berkeley USA (under Jean Fréchet, 2009)

 

Recent Recognitions:

2017 Chemical Society of Japan (CSJ) Lectureship

2016 Aldrich-Yale Lectureship

2016 Nanyang Research Award (Young Investigator)

2015 NRF Investigatorship Award

2013 Singapore Young Scientist Award

2012 Thieme Chemistry Journal Award

2012 NTU SPMS Teaching Excellence Award

2011, 2012, 2013 ACP Lectureship Awards

2010 GSK-EDB Award on Manufacturing

2009 Singapore NRF Fellowship

 

Contact:

robinchi@ntu.edu.sg 

21 Nanyang Link, SPMS-CBC 06-19, NTU,

Singapore 637371

 

Administrative Assistant/Lab Manager:

Dr. Lin Hao

HaoLin@ntu.edu.sg

SPMS-CBC-06-41

 

 

The Chi group welcomes self-motivated, creative, and hard-working individuals in the following areas:

§  Priorities will be given to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents

§  Synthetic Chemistry (particularly with experience in Natural Product synthesis), Electrochemistry; Polymer Materials; Physical Organic Chemistry (with Mechanistic Studies).

§  Individuals with Industrial Experience, Scale up and Process Development

§  Self-Financed Researchers and Students (Highly Motivated and Hard-Working)

§  Exceptional Individuals in other areas will also be considered.

 

 

2019

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      "Catalytic asymmetric acetalization of carboxylic acids for access to chiral phthalidyl ester prodrugs"

       Nature Commun. 2019, 10, 1675, (PDF), (online)

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      "Enantiomeric glycosylated cationic block co-beta-peptides eradicate Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and antibiotic-tolerant persisters"

       Nature Commun. 2019, 10, 4792, (PDF), (online)

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109. Jun Xu, Lixin Liang, Haohao Zheng, Yonggui Robin Chi, and Rongbiao Tong*

      "Green oxidation of indoles using halide catalysis"

      Nature Commun. 2019, 10, 4754, (PDF), (online)

108. Yingguo Liu, Pankaj Kumar Majhi, Runjiang Song, Chengli Mou, Lin Hao, Huifang Chai, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Asymmetric Acylation of Hydroxyphthalides and Related Natural Products"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019. DOI:10.1002/anie.201910922 (PDF), (online)

107. Tingshun Zhu, Yingguo Liu, Marie Smetankova, Shitian Zhuo, Chengli Mou, Huifang Chai, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Desymmetrization and Direct Construction of Arenes with All-Carbon Quaternary Chiral Center"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 15778-15782, (PDF), (online)

106. Guoyong Luo, Zhijian Huang, Shitian Zhuo, Chengli Mou, Jian Wu, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Access to Cyclic βAmino Acids by AmineCatalyzed Enantioselective Addition of the γCarbon Atoms of α,βUnsaturated Imines to Enals"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58,17189–17193, (PDF), (online)

105. Liejin Zhou, Xingxing Wu, Xing Yang, Chengli Mou, Runjiang Song, Shuyan Yu, Huifang Chai, Lutai Pan, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Gold and Carbene Relay Catalytic Enantioselective Cycloisomerization/Cyclization Reactions of Ynamides and Enals"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, DOI:10.1002/anie.201910922, (PDF), (online)

104. Shitian Zhuo, Tingshu Zhu, Liejin Zhou, Chengli Mou, Huifang Chai, Yunpeng Lu, Lutai Pan, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Access to All-Carbon Spirocycles through a Carbene and Thiourea Cocatalytic Desymmetrization Cascade Reaction"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 1784-1788, (PDF), (online)

103. Xingxing Wu, Liejin Zhou, Rakesh Maiti, Chengli Mou, Lutai Pan, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Sulfinate and Carbene Co-catalyzed Rauhut-Currier Reaction for Enantioselective Access to Azepino[1,2-a]indole"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 477-481, (PDF), (online)

102. Jianrong Steve Zhou*, Shenghan Teng, Zhiwei Jiao, and Yonggui Robin Chi

      "Asymmetric WackerType oxyallenylation and Azaallenylation of Cyclic Alkenes"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, DOI:10.1002/anie.201911961, (PDF), (online)

101. Runjiang Song and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Radical Coupling of Aldehydes with Redox-Active Esters"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 8628-8630, (PDF), (online)

100. Yonggui Liu, Guoyong Luo, Xing Yang, Shichun Jiang, Wei Xue, Yonggui Robin Chi, and Zhichao Jin*

      "CarbeneCatalyzed Enantioselective Aromatic NNucleophilic Addition of Heteroarenes to Ketones"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, DOI:10.1002/anie.201912160, (PDF), (online)

99. Shuquan Wu, Changyi Liu, Guoyong Luo, Zhichao Jin,  Pengcheng Zheng*, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "NHC-Catalyzed Chemoselective Reactions of Enals and Aminobenzaldehydes for Access to Chiral Dihydroquinolines"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 18410-18413, (PDF), (online)

98. Xing Yang, Guoyong Luo, Liejin Zhou, Bin Liu, Xiaolei Zhang, Hui Gao, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

     "Enantioselective Indole N–H Functionalization Enabled by Addition of Carbene Catalyst to Indole Aldehyde at Remote Site"

      ACS Catal. 2019, 9, 10971-10976, (PDF), (online)

Abstract Image97. Tingting Li, Jilan Wang, Jun Xu, Jiamiao Jin, Yonggui Robin Chi and Zhichao Jin*

      "Enantio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole Derivatives Bearing Tetrasubstituted Chirality Centers through Carbene Catalyzed Cascade Reactions"

      Org. Lett. 2019, DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b04371 (PDF), (online)

96. Hongling Wang, Yuhuang Wang, Xingkuan Chen, Chengli Mou, Shuyan Yu, Huifang Chai, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Chiral Nitroarenes as Enantioselective Single-Electron-Transfer Oxidants for Carbene-Catalyzed Radical Reactions"

      Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 7440-7444, (PDF), (online)

95. Pengcheng Zheng, Shuquan Wu, Chengli Mou, Wei Xue, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Addition of a Carbene Catalyst to Indole Aryl Aldehyde Activates a Remote δ-sp2 Carbon for Protonation and Formal [4+2] Reaction"

      Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 5026-5029, (PDF), (online)

94. Ruoyan Huang, Xingkuan Chen, Chengli Mou, Guoyong Luo, Yongjia Li, Xiangyang Li, Wei Xue, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed α‑Carbon Amination of Chloroaldehydes for Enantioselective Access to Dihydroquinoxaline Derivatives"

      Org. Lett. 2019, 21 ,4340-4344, (PDF), (online)

93. Dingwu Pan, Chengli Mou, Ningning Zan, Ya Lv, Bao-An Song, Yonggui Robin, and Zhichao Jin*

      "NaOH-Promoted Chemoselective Cascade Cyclization of Cyclopropyl Esters with Unsaturated Imines: Access to Bioactive Cyclopenta[c]pyridine Derivatives"

      Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 6624-6627, (PDF), (online)

92. Changyi Liu, Shuquan Wu, Jun Xu, Lingzhu Chen, Pengcheng Zheng, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Thioamides to Bromoenals for Access to Thiazinone Heterocycles"

      Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 9493-9496, (PDF), (online)

91. Ye Liu, Yu Shen, Weina Zhang, Jiena Weng, Meiting Zhao, Tingshun Zhu, Yonggui Robin Chi, Yanhui Yang, Hua Zhang and Fengwei Huo*

      "Engineering channels of metal-organic frameworks to enhance catalytic selectivity"

      Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 11770-11773, (PDF), (online)

90. Bin Liu, Guoyong Luo, Hongling Wang, Lin Hao, Song Yang, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "CarbeneCatalyzed Direct Functionalization of the βsp3Carbon Atoms of αChloroaldehydes"

      Chem. A. Eur. J. 2019, 25, 12719-12723, (PDF), (online)

89. Zhibin Ni, Chengli Mou, Xun Zhu, Puying Qi, Song Yang, Yonggui Robin Chi, and Zhichao Jin*

      "CarbeneCatalyzed Formal [3 + 3] Cycloaddition Reaction for Access to Substituted 2Phenylbenzothiazoles"

      Eur. J. Org. Chem.2019, DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201901773, (PDF), (online)

88. Jie Ke, Hongling Wang, Liejin Zhou, Chengli Mou, Jingjie Zhang, Lutai Pan, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Hydrodehalogenation of Aryl Halides through Direct Electrolysis"

      Chem. A. Eur. J. 2019, 25, 6911-6914, (PDF), (online)

87. Pengcheng Zheng, Chengcheng Li, Moucheng Li, Dingwu Pan, Shuquan Wu, Wei Xue, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Efficient Access to 2-Pyrones via Carbene-Catalyzed Oxidative [3+3] Reactions between Enals and Nitrogen Ylides"

      Asia J. Org. Chem. 2019, 8, 1067-1070, (PDF), (online)

2018

86. Weina Zhang, Bing Zheng, Wenxiong Shi, Xinyi Chen, Zhiling Xu, Shuzhou Li, Yonggui Robin Chi, Yanhui Yang, Jun Lu, Wei Huang,  and Fengwei Huo

      "Site-Selective Catalysis of a Multifunctional Linear Molecule: The Steric Hindrance of Metal–Organic Framework Channels"

      Adv. Mater. 2018, 30, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800643, (PDF), (online)

85. Jilan Wang, Yongjia Li, Jun Sun, Hongling Wang, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Benzylic Carbon to Unsaturated Acyl Azolium for Rapid Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines"

      ACS Catal. 2018, 8, 9859-9864, (PDF), (online)

84. Qiao Chen, Tingshun Zhu, Pankaj kumar Majhi, Chengli Mou, Huifang Chai, Jingjie Zhang, Shitian Zhuo, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-catalyzed enantioselective oxidative coupling of enals and di(hetero)arylmethanes"

      Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 8711-8715, (PDF), (online)

83. Jun Sun, Fangcheng He, Zhongyao Wang, Dingwu Pan, Pengcheng Zheng, Chengli Mou, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-catalyzed enal γ-carbon addition to α-ketophosphonates for enantioselective access to bioactive 2-pyranylphosphonates"

      Chem. Commun. 2018, 54, 6040-6044, (PDF), (online)

82. Jun Sun, Chengli Mou, Zhongyao Wang, Fangcheng He, Jian Wu, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

       "Carbene-Catalyzed [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of Vinyl Enolate and (in Situ Generated) Imines for Enantioselective Synthesis of Quaternary α-Amino Phosphonates"

      Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 5969-5972, (PDF), (online)

81. Bin Liu, Jiekuan Yan, Ruoyan Huang, Weihong Wang, Zhichao Jin, Giuseppe Zanoni, Pengcheng Zheng, Song Yang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

       "Kinetic Resolution of 1,2-Diols via NHC-Catalyzed Site-Selective Esterification"

       Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 3447-3450, (PDF), (online)

80. Hongling Wang, Xingkuan Chen, Yongjia Li, Jilan Wang, Shuquan Wu, Wei Xue, Song Yang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      “Addition of N-​Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst to Aryl Esters Induces Remote C-​Si Bond Activation and Benzylic Carbon Functionalization "

      Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 260-263, (PDF), (online)

79. Bin Liu, Weihong Wang, Ruoyan Huang, Jiekuan Yan, Jichang Wu, Wei Xue, Song Yang, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Direct Activation of β-sp3-Carbons of Saturated Carboxylic Esters as Electrophilic Carbons via Oxidative Carbene Catalysis"

      Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 260-263, (PDF), (online)

78. Jun Sun, Chengli Mou, Changyi Liu, Ruoyan Huang, Shupeng Zhang, Pengcheng Zheng, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Enantioselective access to multi-cyclic α-amino phosphonates via carbene-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions between enals and six-membered cyclic imines"

      Org. Chem. Front. 2018, 5, 2992-2996, (PDF), (online)

2017

77. Xingkuan Chen, Hongling Wang, Kazuki Doitomi, Chong Yih Ooi, Pengcheng Zheng, Wangsheng Liu, Hao Guo, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, Hajimi Hirao and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      “A reaction mode of carbene-catalysed aryl aldehyde activation and induced phenol OH functionalization"

      Nature Commun 2017, 8, 15598, (PDF), (online)

76. Xingxing Wu, Yuexia Zhang, Yuhuang Wang, Jie Ke, Martin Jeret, Rambabu N. Reddi, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      “Polyhalides as Efficient and Mild Oxidants for Oxidative Carbene Organocatalysis via Radical Processes”

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 2942-2945, (PDF), (online)

75. Xingxing Wu*, Lin Hao**, Yuexia Zhang*, Maiti Rakesh*, Rambabu N. Reddi**, Song Yang, Bao-An Song and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Construction of Fused Pyrrolidines and β-Lactones by Carbene-Catalyzed C−N, C−C, and C−O Bond Formations"

      Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 4201-4204, (PDF), (online)

74. Yuhuang Wang*, Yu Du**, Xuan Huang**, Xingxing Wu*, Yuexia Zhang*, Song Yang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      “Carbene-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Nitrobenzyl Bromide and Nitroalkene via Singel-Electron-Transfer (SET) process and Formal 1,4-Addition”

      Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 632-635, (PDF), (online)

73. Xingkuan Chen, Runjiang Song, Yingguo Liu, Choong Yih Ooi, Zhichao Jin, Tingshun Zhu, Hongling Wang, Lin Hao and Yonggui Robin Chi

      "Carbene and Acid Cooperative Catalytic Reactions of Aldehydes and o-Hydroxybenzhydryl Amines for Highly Enantioselective Access to Dihydrocoumarins"

      Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 5892-5895, (PDF), (online)

72. Xuan Huang, Tingshun Zhu, Zhijian Huang, Yuexia Zhang, Zhichao Jin, Giuseppe Zanoni, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [5 + 5] Reaction for Coumarin Construction and Total Synthesis of Defucogilvocarcins"

      Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 6188-6191, (PDF), (online)

71. Yuhuang Wang, Xingxing Wu, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Synthesis of indanes via carbene-catalyzed single-electron-transfer processes and cascade reactions"

      Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 11952-11955, (PDF), (online)

70. Yuexia Zhang, Zeng Rong Wong, Xingxing Wu, Sherman J. L. Lauw, Xuan Huang, Richard D. Webster and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      “Sulfoxidation of alkenes and alkynes with NFSI as a radical initiator and selective oxidant”

      Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 184-187, (PDF), (online)

69. Chengli Mou, Jichang Wu, Zhijian Huang, Jun Sun, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

      "Carbene-catalyzed LUMO activation of alkyne esters for access to functional pyridines"

      Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 13359-13362, (PDF), (online)

68. Yuexia Zhang, Xingxing Wu, Lin Hao, Zeng Rong Wong, Sherman J. L. Lauw, Song Yang, Richard D. Webster and Yonggui Robin Chi

       "Trimerization of enones under air enabled by NHC/NaOtBu via a SET radical pathway"

      Org. Chem. Front. 2017, 4, 467-470, (PDF), (online)

67. Jian Cheng, Jun Sun, Jiekuan Yan, Song Yang, Pengcheng Zheng, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi

      "Carbene-Catalyzed Indole 3-Methyl C(sp3)–H Bond Functionalization"

      J. Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 13342-13345, (PDF), (online)

2016

66. Zhijian Huang, Xuan Huang, Bao-Sheng Li, Chengli Mou, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Access to P-​Stereogenic Phosphinates via N-​Heterocyclic Carbene-​Catalyzed Desymmetrization of Bisphenols",

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2016, 138, 7524-7527, (PDF), (Online)

65. Xinkuan Chen, Jacqueline Zi Mei Fong, Jianfeng Xu, Chengli Mou, Yunpeng Lu, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Carbene-​catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of carboxylic esters",

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2016, 138, 7212-7215, (PDF), (Online)

pic4

64. Bao-Sheng Li, Yuhuang Wang, Rupert S. J. Proctor, Yuexia Zhang, Richard D. Webster, Song Yang, Baoan Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Carbene-catalysed reductive coupling of nitrobenzyl bromides and activated ketones or imines via single-electron-transfer process"

Nature Commun 2016, 7, 12933, (PDF), (Online)

pic363. Xingxing Wu, Bin Liu, Yuexia Zhang, Martin Jeret, Honglin Wang, Pengcheng Zheng, Prof. Song Yang, Prof. Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Enantioselective Nucleophilic β-Carbon-Atom Amination of Enals: Carbene-Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Reactions",

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 12280-12284, (PDF), (Online)

pic2s62. Xingxing Wu,  Yuexia Zhang, Yuhuang Wang, Jie Ke,Martin Jeret, Rambabu N. Reddi, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

    “Polyhalides as Efficient and Mild Oxidants for Oxidative Carbene Organocatalysis via Radical Processes”

    Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, in press, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201611692

pic161. Yuhuang Wang, Yu Du, Xuan Huang, Xingxing Wu, Yuexia Zhang, Song Yang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*,

    “Carbene-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Nitrobenzyl Bromide and Nitroalkene via Singel-Electron-Transfer (SET) process and Formal 1,4-Addition”

    Org. Lett., 2017, 19, 3, 632-635, (PDF), (Online)

60. Bao-Sheng Li, Yuhuang Wang, Rupert S. J. Proctor, Zhichao Jin, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Carbene-catalyzed desymmetrization of 1,3-diols: access to optically enriched tertiary alkyl chlorides"

Chem. Commun. 2016, 52, 8313-8316, (PDF), (Online)

59. Chengli Mou,Tingshun Zhu,Pengcheng Zheng,Song Yang,Bao-An Song,and Yonggui Robin Chi* s

"Green and Rapid Access to Benzocoumarins via Direct Benzene Construction through Base-Mediated Formal [4+2] Reaction and Air Oxidation"

Adv. Synth. Cat. 2016, 358, 707-712, (PDF), (Online)

58. Zhenqiang Fu, Xingxing Wu, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Rapid access to bicyclic δ-lactones via carbene-catalyzed activation and cascade reaction of unsaturated carboxylic esters",

Org. Chem. Front., 2016, 3, 145-149, (PDF), (Online)

2015

57. Yuexia Zhang, Yu Du, Zhijian Huang, Jianfeng Xu, Xingxing Wu, Yuhuang Wang, Ming Wang, Song Yang, Richard D. Webster, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“N‑Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Radical Reactions for Highly Enantioselective β‑Hydroxylation of Enals”

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 2416–2419, (PDF), (Online)

56. Tingshun Zhu, Chengli Mou, Bao-Sheng Li, Marie Smetankova, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

 "N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed δ-Carbon LUMO Activation of Unsaturated Aldehydes",

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 5658-5661, (PDF), (Online).

Thumbnail image for NCOMMS-14-17061A55. Bao-Sheng Li, Yuhuang Wang, Zhichao Jin, Pengcheng Zheng, Rakesh Ganguly and Yonggui Robin Chi*,

 "Carbon-Carbon Bond Activation of Cyclobutenones Enabled by Addition of Chiral Organocatalyst to Ketone"

 Nature Commun. 2015, 6, 6207. (PDF), (Online)

54. Jianfeng Xu, Xingkuan Chen, Ming Wang, Pengcheng Zheng, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

 "Aminomethylation of Enals through Carbene and Acid Cooperative Catalysis: Concise Access to β2-Amino Acids"

 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 5165, (PDF) (Online)

53. Bao-Sheng Li, Yuhuang Wang, Zhichao Jin,and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Cycloaddition of cyclobutenone and azomethine imine enabled by chiral isothiourea organic catalysts"

Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 6008-6012, (PDF), (Online)

pic2x52. Zhichao Jin, Zhenqian Fu, Ke Jiang, Jaume Torres, Pengcheng Zheng, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Nucleophilic β-​Carbon Activation of Propionic Acid as a 3-​Carbon Synthon by Carbene Organocatalysis"

Chem. A. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 9360-9363, (PDF), (Online)

51. Pengcheng Zheng, Jiajia Cheng, Shihu Su, Zhichao Jin, Yuhuang Wang, Song Yang, Linhong Jin, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Oxidative N-​Heterocyclic Carbene-​Catalyzed γ-​Carbon Addition of Enals to Imines: Mechanistic Studies and Access to Antimicrobial Compounds"

Chem. A. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 9984-9987, (PDF), (Online)

2014

50. Ming Wang, Zhijian Huang, Jianfeng Xu and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed [3+4] Cycloaddition and Kinetic Resolution of Azomethine Imines”,

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 1214-1217 (PDF), (Online)

49. Tingshun Zhu, Pengcheng Zheng, Chengli Mou, Song Yang, Bao-An Song and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Benzene construction via organocatalytic formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction"

Nature Commun. 2014, 5, 5027. (PDF), (Online)

48. Kayambu Namitharan, Tingshun Zhu, Jiajia Cheng, Pengcheng Zheng, Xiangyang Li, Song Yang, Bao-An Song and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"Metal and Carbene Organocatalytic Relay Acitvation of Alkynes for Stereoselective Reaction"

Nature Commun. 2014, 5, 3982. (PDF), (Online).

47. Zhenqian Fu, Ke Jiang, Tingshun Zhu, Jaume Torres and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Access to Oxoquinoline Heterocycles via N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Ester Activation and Selective Domino Reaction”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 6506-6510. (PDF), (Online)

46. Yonggui Robin Chi* (invited book review)

"Comprehensive Enantioselective Organocatalysis. Edited by Peter I. Dalko".

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 6858-6859. (Online)

45. Zhichao Jin, Shaojin Chen, Yuhuang Wang, Pengcheng Zheng, Song Yang and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"β-Functionalization of Carboxylic Anhydrides with β-Alkyl Substituents through Carbene Organocatalysis"

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 13506-13509. (PDF) (Online)

44. Jianfeng Xu, Chengl Mou, Tingshun Zhu, Bao-An Song and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Chemoselective Cross-Aza-Benzoin Reaction of Enals with Isatin-Derived Ketimines: Access to Chiral Quaternary Aminooxindoles".

Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 3272-3275. (PDF), (Online)

43. Yu Du, Yuhuang Wang, Xin Li,Yaling Shao, Guohui Li, Richard D. Webster,  and Yonggui Robin Chi*

"N-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalytic Reductive β,β-Coupling Reactions of Nitroalkenes via Radical Intermediates"

Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 5678-5681. (PDF), (Online)

42. Lin Hao, Xingkuan Chen, Shaojin Chen, Ke Jiang, Jaume Torres  and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Access to pyridines via DMAP-catalyzed activation of α-chloro acetic ester to react with unsaturated imines”

Org. Chem. Front. 2014, 1, 148-150 (PDF) (Online)

41. Weina Zhang, Guang Lu , Chenlong Cui , Yayuan Liu , Shaozhou Li , Wenjin Yan , Chong Xing , Yonggui Robin Chi , Yanhui Yang , and Fengwei Huo*

"A Family of Metal-Organic Frameworks Exhibiting Size-Selective Catalysis with Encapsulated Noble-Metal Nanoparticles"

Adv. Mater. 2014, 26, 4056-4060, (PDF), (Online)

2013

40. Zhenqian Fu, Jianfeng Xu, Tingshun Zhu, Wendy Wen Yi Leong and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“β-carbon activation of saturated carboxylic esters through N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis”

Nature Chem. 2013, 5, 835-839 (PDF), (Online)

39. Junmin Zhang, Chong Xing, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Catalytic Activation of Carbohydrates as Formaldehyde Equivalents for Stetter Reaction with Enones”

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 8113-8116 (PDF), (Online)

38. Junming Mo, Liang Shen, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Direct β-Activation of Saturated Aldehydes to Michael Acceptors through Oxidative NHC Catalysis”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 8588-8591 (PDF), (Online)

37. Jiajia Cheng, Zhijian Huang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“NHC Organocatalytic LUMO Activation of α,β-Unsaturated Esters to React with Enamides”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 8592-8596 (PDF), (Online)

36. Xingkuan Chen, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Functionalization of Benzylic C(sp3)[BOND]H Bonds of Heteroaryl Aldehydes through N-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 11134–11137 (PDF), (Online)

35. Zhichao Jin, Jianfeng Xu, Song Yang, Bao-An Song, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Sulfonation of Enones with Sulfonylimine via Cooperative NHC/Thiourea/Tertiary Amine Multi-Catalysis”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 12354-12358 (PDF), (Online)

34. Xingkuan Chen, Xinqiang Fang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Cis-Enals in N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Reactions: Distinct Stereo-Selectivity and Reactivity”

Chem. Sci. 2013, 4, 2613-2618 (PDF), (Online)

33. Wendy Wen Yi Leong, Xingkuan Chen, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“NHC-Catalyzed Reactions of Enals with Water as Solvent”

Green. Chem. 2013, 15, 1505-1508 (PDF), (Online)

32. Junming Mo, Ruojie Yang, Xingkuan Chen, Bhoopendra Tiwari, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Direct α-Functionalization of Simple Aldehydes via Oxidative N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis”

Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 50-53 (PDF), (Online)

31. Lin Hao, Shaojin Chen, Jianfeng Xu, Bhoopendra Tiwari, Zhenqian Fu, Tong Li, Jieyan Lim and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Organocatalytic Activation of Alkylacetic Esters as Enolate Precursors to React with α,β-Unsaturated Imines”

Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 4956-4959 (PDF), (Online)

30. Jianfeng Xu, Zhichao Jin and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Organocatalytic Enantioselective γ-Aminoalkylation of Unsaturated Ester: Access to Pipecolic Acid Derivatives”

Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 5028-5031 (PDF), (Online)

29. Shaojin Chen, Lin Hao, Yuexia Zhang and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Asymmetric Access to the Smallest Enolate Intermediate via Organocatalytic Activation of Acetic Ester”

Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 5822-5825 (PDF), (Online)

28. Zhenqian Fu, Hui Sun, Shaojin Chen, Bhoopendra Tiwari, Guohui Li and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Controlled β-protonation and [4+2] cycloaddition of enals and chalcones via N-heterocyclic carbene/acid catalysis: toward substrate independent reaction control”

Chem. Commun. 2013, 49, 261-263 (PDF). (Online)

27. Lin Hao, Wei Chuen Chan, Rakesh Ganguly and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“NHC-Catalyzed Ester Activation: Access to Sterically Congested Spirocyclic Oxindoles via Reaction of α-Aryl Esters and Unsaturated Imines”

Synlett 2013, 24, 1197-1200 (PDF), (Online).

26. Hui Sun, Xinqiang Fang, Yonggui Robin Chi and Guohui Li

“Theoretical Study of NHC-Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of Benzodienones and Enals”

Chirality 2013, 25, 521–528 (PDF), (Online)

2012

25. Junming Mo, Xingkuan Chen and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Oxidative γ-Addition of Enals to Trifluoromethyl Ketones: Enantioselectivity Control via Lewis Acid/N-Heterocyclic Carbene Cooperative Catalysis”

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 8810–8813 (PDF), (Online)

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/store/10.1002/anie.201107473/asset/image_m/mcontent.gif?v=1&s=0fff405cd1e904c32adc628f8f79c8b390f726dc24. Bhoopendra Tiwari, Junmin Zhang and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Facile Access to Chiral Ketones through Metal-Free Oxidative C-C Bond Cleavage of Aldehydes by O2”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 1911-1914 (PDF), (Online)

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract23. Junmin Zhang, Bhoopendra Tiwari, Chong Xing, Xingkuan Chen and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Oxidative Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Tertiary Amines to Aldehydes”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 3649-3652 (PDF), (Online)

Figure22. Qiang Tang, Xingkuan Chen, Bhoopendra Tiwari, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

”Addition of Indoles to Oxyallyl Cations for Facile Access to a-Indole Carbonyl Compounds”

Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 1922–1925 (PDF), (Online)

21. Lin Hao, Yu Du, Hui Lv, Xingkuan Chen, Huishen Jiang, Yaling Shao, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Activation of Stable Carboxylate Esters as Enolate Equivalents via N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysts”

Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 2154–2157 (PDF), (Online)

Figure20. Kun Jiang, Bhoopendra Tiwari and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Access to Spirocyclic Oxindoles via N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Reactions of Enals and Oxindole-Derived α,β-Unsaturated Imines”

Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 2382–2385 (PDF), (Online)

19. Zhichao Jin, Ruojie Yang, Yu Du, Bhoopendra Tiwari, Rakesh Ganguly, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Intramolecular Formal [2 + 4] Annulation of Acrylates and α,β-Unsaturated Imines Catalyzed by Amino Acid Derived Phosphines”

Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 3226-2339 (PDF), (Online)

18. Hui Lv, Bhoopendra Tiwari, Junming Mo, Chong Xing, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Highly Enantioselective Addition of Enals to Isatin-Derived Ketimines Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes: Synthesis of Spirocyclic γ-Lactams”

Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 5412–5415 (PDF), (Online)

2011

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract17. Xinqiang Fang, Xingkuan Chen, Hui Lv and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Stetter Reactions of Enals and Modified Chalcones Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 11782-11785 (PDF), (Online)

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract16. Xinqiang Fang, Kun Jiang, Chong Xing, Lin Hao and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“A Highly Regio- and Stereoselective Cascade Annulation of Enals and Benzodi(enone)s Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes”

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 1910-1913 (PDF), (Online)

Figure15. Xinqiang Fang, Xingkuan Chen, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Enantioselective Diels–Alder Reactions of Enals and Alkylidene Diketones Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes”

Org. Lett. 2011, 13, 4708–4711 (PDF), (Online)

Figure14. Hui Lv, Junming Mo, Xinqiang Fang, and Yonggui Robin Chi*

”Formal Diels-Alder Reactions of Chalcones and Formylcyclopropanes Catalyzed by Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbenes”

Org. Lett. 2011, 13, 5366–5369 (PDF), (Online)

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1002/chem.201102623/asset/image_m/mcontent.gif?v=1&s=8e6c1489a97b3e12b008fc112c06fa5afd31f9f613. Chong Xing, Hui Sun, Junmin Zhang,  Guohui Li and Yonggui Robin Chi*

“Brønsted Acid Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Aldehydes with Diaryl Methyl Alcohols”

Chem. A. Eur. J. 2011, 17, 12272-12275 (PDF), (Online)

Publications prior joining NTU

 

12. StevenT. Scroggins, Yonggui Chi and JeanM.J. Frechet

     “Polarity-Directed One-Pot Asymmetric Cascade Reactions Mediated by Two Catalysts in Aqueous Buffer”

     Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 2393-2396.

 

11. Li Guo, Yonggui Chi, Aaron M. Almeida, Ilia A. Guzei, Brian K. Parker and Samuel H. Gellman 

     “Stereospecific Synthesis of Constrained γ-Amino Acids: New Foldamer Building Blocks Support Helical Secondary Structure” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 16018-16020. 

 

10.  Yonggui Chi, Steven T. Scroggins, Emine Boz and Jean M. J. Frechet

     ”Control of Aldol Reaction Pathways of Enolizable Aldehydes in an Aqueous Environment with a Hyperbranched Polymeric Catalyst”

      J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 17287–17289. 

 

9.   Yonggui Chi, Steven T. Scroggins and Jean M. J. Frechet

      “One-Pot Multi-Component Asymmetric Cascade Reactions Catalyzed by Soluble Star Polymers with Non-Interpenetrating Catalytic Cores” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 6322–6323. 

 

8.   Yonggui Chi, Li Guo, Nathan A. Kopf and Samuel H. Gellman

      “Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Nitroethylene: Efficient Access to γ2-Amino Acids” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 5608-5609. 

 

7.   Yonggui Chi, Emily P. English, William C. Pomerantz, W. Seth Horne, Leo A. Joyce, et. al. and Samuel H. Gellman

     “Practical Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure β2-Amino Acids via Proline-Catalyzed Diastereoselective Aminomethylation of Aldehydes” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2007, 129, 6050–6055. 

 

6.   Yonggui Chi and Samuel H. Gellman

     “Enantioselective Organocatalytic Aminomethylation of Aldehydes: A Role for Ionic Interactions and Efficient Access to β2-Amino Acids” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 6804–6805.

 

5.   Yonggui Chi and Samuel H. Gellman

     “Diphenylprolinol Methyl Ether: A Highly Enantioselective Catalyst for Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Simple Enones” 

     Org. Lett., 2005, 7, 4253–4256.

 

4.   Timothy J. Peelen, Yonggui Chi, and Samuel H. Gellman

     “Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Additions of Aldehydes to Enones: Cocatalyst Effects & Evidence for an Enamine Intermediate” 

     J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 11598–11599.

 

3.   Yonggui Chi, Timothy J. Peelen, and Samuel H. Gellman

     “A Rapid 1H NMR Assay for Enantiomeric Excess of α-Substituted Aldehydes” 

     Org. Lett., 2005, 7, 3469–3472.

 

2.   Timothy J. Peelen, Yonggui Chi, Emily Payne English, and Samuel H. Gellman

     “Synthesis of 4,4-Disubstituted 2-Aminocyclopentanecarboxylic Acid Derivatives and Their Incorporation into 12-Helical β-Peptides” 

     Org. Lett., 2004, 6, 4411-4414. 

 

1.   Wai-Kwok Wong, Xiao-Ping Chen, Jian-Ping Guo, Yong-Gui Chi, Wei-Xiong Pan, Wai-Yeung Wong

          “Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of ruthenium diaminodiphosphine complexes”

     J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Transations, 2002, 6, 1139-1146.