Mr. Yong-Feng Cheng , Organic Chemistry, Anhui Normal University, China
Dr. Yong-Feng Cheng is an Associate Professor at the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, China. He is a leading researcher in the field of radical chemistry and enantioselective catalysis. After earning his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Nankai University, he pursued postdoctoral and faculty roles at the Southern University of Science and Technology, where he made significant contributions to copper-catalyzed asymmetric transformations. Dr. Cheng’s research, published in prestigious journals such as Nature Chemistry, JACS, and Nature Catalysis, emphasizes radical-based bond-forming reactions and novel catalytic systems. With a solid background in pharmacy and pharmaceutical analysis, he bridges organic synthesis with potential bioactive molecule development. His work is characterized by mechanistic insight, innovation in catalyst design, and collaboration with renowned scientists like Prof. X. Liu and Prof. K.N. Houk. Dr. Cheng continues to push boundaries in modern synthetic chemistry, mentoring students and contributing to cutting-edge discoveries.
Professional Profile :
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Summary of Suitability for Award:
Assoc. Prof. Yong-Feng Cheng stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” . Based on his exceptional publication record, breakthrough contributions to enantioselective radical chemistry, rapid career advancement, and international collaboration, Assoc. Prof. Yong-Feng Cheng is highly deserving of the “Best Researcher Award.” His work reflects a balance of innovation, depth, and scientific rigor, and he has already made a significant mark in modern synthetic chemistry. Granting him this recognition would not only honor a deserving candidate but also inspire broader excellence in chemical sciences.
🎓Education:
Yong-Feng Cheng began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Wannan Medical College (2005–2009). Motivated by a strong interest in the analytical and chemical aspects of drug development, he pursued a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Analysis at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2009–2012). His growing passion for organic synthesis led him to Nankai University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (2012–2015). At Nankai, he specialized in developing synthetic methodologies and advanced radical transformations. His doctoral training laid a solid foundation for his future work in radical catalysis. With this multidisciplinary education—spanning pharmacy, analytical science, and organic chemistry—Dr. Cheng brings a uniquely integrated perspective to the development of functional molecules and asymmetric synthesis. His academic background enables him to innovate at the intersection of fundamental chemistry and potential therapeutic applications.
🏢Work Experience:
Dr. Yong-Feng Cheng has steadily advanced through competitive academic roles in China’s premier institutions. From 2016 to 2018, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), collaborating on pioneering research in enantioselective radical transformations. Recognized for his innovative approach, he was promoted to Research Assistant Professor at SUSTech (2018–2022), where he co-authored several high-impact papers and contributed significantly to catalyst development. In 2023, he joined Anhui Normal University as an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science. His current role involves leading a research group focused on asymmetric catalysis, mentoring graduate students, and securing national research grants. With a blend of research acumen and teaching excellence, Dr. Cheng continues to shape the future of synthetic chemistry, integrating his deep understanding of radicals, catalysis, and reaction mechanisms across disciplines.
🏅Awards:
While the specific awards and honors of Dr. Yong-Feng Cheng are not explicitly listed, his track record of publishing in journals like Nature Chemistry, JACS, and Angewandte Chemie reflects high recognition in the international scientific community. Being co-first and corresponding author in several high-impact papers demonstrates peer acknowledgment of his leading role in radical catalysis. His research collaborations with globally renowned scientists like Prof. K.N. Houk and Prof. X. Liu further validate his standing as an innovative researcher. His rapid career progression—from Ph.D. to Associate Professor in under a decade—is itself a testimony to his scientific excellence. He has likely received institutional recognition for teaching and research performance and may have earned national-level research grants or young scientist accolades. As his work continues to draw citations and attention, more formal honors are anticipated in the near future.
🔬Research Focus:
Dr. Yong-Feng Cheng’s research is centered on enantioselective radical transformations, with a focus on copper-catalyzed asymmetric reactions. His work explores the interface of Organic chemistry and catalysis, developing novel methodologies for constructing C–O, S–O, and C–C bonds with high stereo control. His synthetic strategies employ innovative ligand systems and cooperative catalysis to achieve de- symmetrization and functionalization of otherwise inert molecules. Dr. Cheng has contributed significantly to the design of catalytic systems that enable precise manipulation of reactive radical intermediates, with potential applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and material science. He is particularly interested in mechanistic insights, transition-state modeling, and computational collaboration to understand catalytic pathways. With a strong background in both pharmacy and organic synthesis, Dr. Cheng’s research is both methodologically rigorous and application-oriented. His group continues to develop sustainable and scalable reactions for asymmetric synthesis, including redox-triggered transformations and metal-catalyzed coupling strategies.
Publication Top Notes:
1. A P‐nucleophile Interrupted Seyferth‐Gilbert Reaction
2. Synthesis of Axially Chiral Vinyl Halides via Cu(I)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Radical 1,2-Halofunctionalization of Terminal Alkynes
3. Cu(I)-Catalyzed Chemo- and Enantioselective Desymmetrizing C–O Bond Coupling of Acyl Radicals
4. Cu-Catalyzed Enantioselective Radical Heteroatomic S–O Cross-Coupling
5. Catalytic Enantioselective Desymmetrizing Functionalization of Alkyl Radicals via Cu(I)/CPA Cooperative Catalysis
6. Desymmetrization of Unactivated Bis-Alkenes via Chiral Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Hydroamination
7. Achiral Pyridine Ligand-Enabled Enantioselective Radical Oxytrifluoromethylation of Alkenes with Alcohols
8. Synthesis of γ-Lactams by Mild, o-Benzoquinone-Induced Oxidation of Pyrrolidines Containing Oxidation-Sensitive Functional Groups
9. Redox-Triggered α-C–H Functionalization of Pyrrolidines: Synthesis of Unsymmetrically 2,5-Disubstituted Pyrrolidines
10. A New Practical Approach Towards the Synthesis of Unsymmetric and Symmetric 1,10-Phenanthroline Derivatives at Room Temperature