Wenjing Xiao, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China

Title：Visible Light Induced Asymmetric Organic Transformations
Abstract：In recent years, we have conducted preliminary research on visible light-induced catalytic asymmetric reactions, focusing on three key areas: First, by merging photoredox catalysis with chiral small molecule, transition metal, or Lewis acid catalysis, we developed asymmetric 1,2-additions to imines, 1,4-additions to α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, and Grignard-type transformations. Second, we designed novel photoactive chiral Box ligands that enabled asymmetric oxidation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, applied as a key step in synthesizing the chiral insecticide indoxacarb. Third, using visible light-induced Wolff rearrangement of α-diazo ketones to generate ketene intermediates, we established cyclization reactions with metal-stabilized dipoles, offering efficient and selective access to six- to ten-membered heterocycles.
Biography：Professor Wen-Jing Xiao has long been engaged in photochemical synthesis, radical chemistry, and asymmetric catalysis. He proposed the "energy transfer mechanism" and "deprotonation-photoinduced electron transfer strategy" in homogeneous photochemical reactions, and developed various visible-light-induced controlled radical reactions—among which the photocatalytic oxidation of sp² C–B bonds is known as "Xiao’s Oxidation." He also advanced synthetic transformations of arenes under mild conditions, offering new pathways for green transition in traditional chemical industries. With over 300 publications, his work has been cited more than 30,400 times, and he has an H-index of 95. He serves as an international advisor or editorial board member for journals including J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., and ChemPhotoChem. His awards include the CCS Youth Chemistry Award, the Asian Core Program Lectureship Award, the First Prize of Hubei Natural Science Award, and the CCS Outstanding Contribution Award in Photochemistry.