Mr. Qinglei Chong | Chemistry | Innovative Research Award

Associate Professor at Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Mr. Qinglei Chong is an accomplished synthetic chemist specializing in asymmetric catalysis and transition metal-based reaction methodologies. With a strong academic foundation from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and postdoctoral mentorship under China’s leading chemists, he has steadily advanced through key research roles at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry. His contributions are recognized by top-tier journals, and in 2019, he was honored as an Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow by SIOC. Currently serving as an Associate Researcher, Mr. Chong continues to lead and collaborate on impactful research in metal-catalyzed asymmetric transformations.

Professional Profile

Scopus 

Orcid

🎓 Education 

• 2005.9 – 2009.6: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Nanjing Normal University

• 2009.9 – 2014.6: Ph.D. (Combined MSc–Ph.D. Program), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

💼 Experience 

• 2014.9 – 2016.9: Postdoctoral Researcher, Nankai University, under the mentorship of Academicians Qilin Zhou and Kuiling Ding

• 2016.9 – 2016.12: Assistant Researcher, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC), CAS

• 2016.12 – 2019.4: Postdoctoral Researcher, SIOC, CAS

• 2019.4 – 2019.9: Assistant Researcher, SIOC, CAS

• 2019.9 – Present: Associate Researcher, SIOC, CAS

🔬 Research Interests

• Transition Metal Catalysis

• Asymmetric Catalytic Methodologies

• Development of Organometallic Complexes for Selective Synthesis
  Mr. Chong’s research focuses on innovating asymmetric catalytic processes utilizing transition metal catalysts to enable high-selectivity reactions in organic synthesis.

Top Noted Publications:

1. Cobalt-Catalyzed Diastereo- and Enantioselective Reductive Allyl Additions to Aldehydes with Allylic Alcohol Derivatives via Allyl Radical Intermediates

• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society

• Year: 2021

• Volume: 143

• Pages: 12755–12765

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05690

• Summary: This study presents a cobalt-catalyzed method for the diastereo- and enantioselective reductive allyl addition to aldehydes, utilizing allylic alcohol derivatives. The reaction proceeds via allyl radical intermediates, offering a novel approach to construct chiral homoallylic alcohols with high selectivity.ACS Publications+1PubMed+1

2. Chiral Cyclohexyl-Fused Spirobiindanes: Practical Synthesis, Ligand Development, and Asymmetric Catalysis

• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society

• Year: 2018

• Volume: 140

• Pages: 10374–10381

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07125

• Summary: This work details the synthesis of chiral cyclohexyl-fused spirobiindanes and their application as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. The study demonstrates the practical synthesis of these ligands and their effectiveness in various enantioselective transformations.ACS Publications+2ACS Publications+2ACS Publications+2ACS Publications+3ACS Publications+3ACS Publications+3

3. N-Heterocyclic Carbene–Cu-Catalyzed Enantioselective Allenyl Conjugate Addition

• Journal: Organic Letters

• Year: 2018

• Volume: 20

• Pages: 6896–6900

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.8b03029

• Summary: This publication introduces a copper-catalyzed enantioselective conjugate addition of allenylboronates to enones, facilitated by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. The method provides access to chiral allenyl ketones with high enantioselectivity.ACS Publications+1Wiley Online Library+1PubMed+2ACS Publications+2ACS Publications+2

4. Cobalt-Catalyzed Atom-Economical, Diastereo- and Enantioselective Coupling of Aldimines and Cyclopropanols

• Journal: Science China Chemistry

• Year: 2021

• Volume: 64

• Pages: 1750–1755

• DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1062-y

• Summary: This research describes a cobalt-catalyzed coupling of aldimines and cyclopropanols, achieving high diastereo- and enantioselectivity. The reaction offers an atom-economical route to β-amino ketones, valuable intermediates in organic synthesis.SpringerLink

5. Photoredox/Cobalt-Catalyzed Chemo-, Regio-, Diastereo-, and Enantioselective Reductive Coupling of 1,1-Disubstituted Allenes and Cyclobutenes

• Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

• Year: 2025

• Volume: 64

• Issue: 6

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202416524

• Summary: This study presents a dual photoredox and cobalt-catalyzed method for the reductive coupling of 1,1-disubstituted allenes and cyclobutenes. The reaction exhibits high chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity, expanding the toolbox for constructing complex chiral molecules.ACS Publications+2ACS Publications+2Wiley Online Library+2PubMed+3Wiley Online Library+3ACS Publications+3

Conclusion:

Mr. Qinglei Chong exemplifies the core criteria for the Research for Innovative Research Award in Chemistry: original, high-impact research that pushes synthetic boundaries while addressing real-world chemical challenges. His track record in asymmetric catalysis and transition metal chemistry is both robust and transformative. With growing visibility and continued excellence, he is well-positioned not only to receive the award but to be a future global leader in sustainable synthetic chemistry.