Dr. Kai Chen graduated in pharmacy from Nankai University (Tianjin, China) in 2009 and then obtained his Ph.D. from Peking University (Beijing, China) in the field of computational chemistry in 2014 focusing on the theoretical studies of HDACs and Bromodomains (Advisors: Prof. Yun-Dong Wu and Prof. Olaf G. Wiest). During 2015-2017, Kai continued his research in Prof. Shifa Zhu's group as a postdoc at South China University of Technology. In 2017, he joined Central South University of Forestry and Technology (Changsha, China) as Assistant Professor. In 2019, Kai spent half year as visiting scholar in Prof Mu-Hyun Baik's group, KAIST, South Korea. After that, he moved to College of Chemistry Chemical Engineering, Central South University as Assistant Professor, and was promoted to be Associate Professor in 2022 . His research interests mainly focused on AI-driven development of novel, sustainable synthetic methods and computer-asisted drug design.

Current Group Members

Ph.D. Students:

Yucheng Peng (2026 --): B.S., Central South University

Shuo Li (2026 --): M.S., Zhejiang University of Technology

Master’s Students:

Xuxiang Hu (2026-- ): B.S., Central South University of Forestry and Technology

Qian Hu (2025-- ): B.S., Hunan University of Chinese Medicine

Wenbin Wu (2025-- ): B.S., Jiangnan University

Liushuo Shi (2024-- ): B.S., Jiangxi Agricultural University

Qifeng Wang (2024-- ): B.S., University of South China

Alumni

Master’s Students

Yongqing Ye (2023--2026): B.S., Central South University; recipient of the National Scholarship for Graduate Students (2025); Current position: semiconductor-related company in Qingdao

Meng Guo (2022--2024): B.S., Central South University of Forestry and Technology; transferred to the Ph.D. program in 2024

Mingzhi Li (2021--2024): B.S., Wuhan Institute of Technology; Current position: private-sector company in Shanghai

Huakang Zhou (2017--2019): B.S., Baise University; current position: Guangxi Eco-Engineering Vocational and Technical College

Yaxuan Shang (2017--2019): B.S., Northwest Minzu University; Current position: Northwest A&F University

Undergraduate Alumni

Ming Chen (2024--2025): Pharmaceutical Engineering, Class 2102; admitted to a Ph.D. program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Keying Qu (2024--2025): Applied Chemistry, Class 2104; admitted to a Ph.D. program at Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC), China

2026

(1) Divergent Asymmetric Synthesis of Glutinosasins A–E, Xuezhi Li, Wenjie Fang, Qian Hu, Jinyu Tang, Huanfeng Jiang, Kai Chen*, Zhiqiang Ma*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 30456-30465. 

(2) Visible-Light-Promoted Tandem Defluorinative Annulation of Trifluoromethyl Benzamides to Access Dibenzo[b,e]azepin-6-ones, Meng Guo, Qi-Feng Wang, Jie Gao, Yu Zheng, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2026, 28, 7778-7782. 

(3) Photoredox/Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Alkenes Using Water as the Hydrogen Source, Jie Gao, Liu-Shuo Shi, Xian-Chen He, Yu Zheng, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2026, 28, 4157-4162.

(4) Direct C2-arylation of indoles enabled by photoinduced XAT and Co-mediated desaturation, Ke-Yi Deng, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Pan Zhu, Xiao-Qing Chen, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Chem. Front. 2026, 13, 991-996.

2025

(1) Enantioselective Synthesis of 1-Dihydrobenzazepines through Rh2(II)-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 1,6-Enyne, Chuntao Wang, Zi-Hao Liao, Rui Wu*, Kai Chen*, Shifa Zhu*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 10560-10569. 

(2) Rh₂(II)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Si–H Insertion of α-Alkyl-Donor Carbene from Diynes: Constructing C/Si-Stereocenters by Outcompeting β-H Migration, Rui Wu, Qi-Feng Wang, Haoran Zhang, Shunlong Liu, Kai Chen*, Shifa Zhu*, ACS Catalysis, 2025, 15, 21124-21136.  

(3) Photoredox-Driven Deoxygenative Cross-Coupling of Alcohols with Carbonyl Compounds, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Ping Chen, Cong Huang, Mei Xiang, Jie Gao, Yu Zheng, Xiao-Qing Chen, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, ACS Catalysis, 2025, 15, 20843-20852. 

(4) Photoinduced Pd-Catalyzed Formal Asymmetric Allylic Substitution of Piperidine Scaffolds, Wei-Dong Lu, Zhi-Lin Liu, Zi-Hao Liao, Zi-Yi Liao, Kai Chen*, Hao-Yue Xiang*, Hua Yang*, ACS Catal. 2025, 15, 4384-4393.

(5) Photosensitized Imino-Thiocyanation of Alkenes, Cong Huang, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Jie Gao, Mei Xiang, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2025, 27, 1979-1983. 

(6) Regioselective Markovnikov Hydroalkylation of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis, Jie Gao, Liu-Shuo Shi, Xian-Chen He, Yu Zheng, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2025, 27, 13762-13767.

(7) Wavelength-tuned, photocatalytic chemoselective hydrodefluorination, Meng Guo, Zhi-Peng Ye, Yong-Qing Ye, Xiao-Qing Chen, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Chem. Front. 2025, 12, 6569-6574.

(8) C2-Benzylic C (sp3)–H Alkylation of Indoles Enabled by Photoinduced, EDA-Complex-Mediated Radical–Radical Cross-Coupling, Ying-Ying Hu, Zhi-Lin Liu, Hao-Yue Xiang, Xiao-Qing Chen, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2025, 27, 10359-10364.

2024

(1) Photoredox-Catalyzed Phosphine-Mediated Successive Deoxygenation of Sulfonyl Oxime Salts Enables Anti-Markovnikov Hydrothiolation of Alkenes, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Cong Huang, Jie Gao, Ke-Yi Deng, Yong-Qing Ye, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2024, 26, 8100-8105.

(2) Iodine(III)-Mediated Trifluoroacetylation of a C(sp2)–H or C(sp)–H Bond with Masked Trifluoroacyl Reagents, Zhi-Peng Ye, Meng Guo, Yong-Qing Ye, Chu-Ping Yuan, Hai-Long Wang, Jing-Song Yang, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2024, 26, 5196-5201. 

(3) Photosensitized 1, 2-Difunctionalization of Alkenes to Access β-Amino Sulfonamides, Ze-Long Xiao, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Chu-Ping Yuan, Ke-Yi Deng, Kai Chen*, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2024, 26, 2108-2113.

(4) Photoredox-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes assisted by an in situ generated PPh 3 (OH) radical and acetic acid, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Yu Zheng, Zi-Hao Liao, Chu-Ping Yuan, Ming-Zhi Li, Ke-Yi Deng, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Chem. Front. 2024, 11, 4187-4193.

(5) Amine-Borane-Mediated, Nickel/Photoredox-Catalyzed Cross-Electrophile Coupling between Alkyl and Aryl Bromides, Ke-Rong Li, Xian-Chen He, Jie Gao, Yan-Ling Liu, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, 2024, 89, 12658-12667.

(6) Palladium-catalyzed allylic amination of vinyl bicyclo [1.1. 0] butanes: a strain release approach toward alkylidenecyclobutanes, Huan Zhang, Wen-Jie Liang, Jun-An Xiao*, Wei Wang, Ru-Fang Meng, Kai Chen*, Lan Zheng, Chenxiang Lin, Wei Su*, Hua Yang, Green Synthesis and Catalysis, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.gresc.2024.11.004.

2023

(1) Photoredox-Catalyzed Selective α-Scission of PR₃–OH Radicals to Access Hydroalkylation of Alkenes, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Zi-Hao Liao, Yu Zheng, Chu-Ping Yuan, Jian-Ping Guan, Ming-Zhi Li, Ke-Yi Deng, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett.  2023, 25, 9014-9019.

(2) Visible-Light-Induced Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Aryl Bromides with Nitriles, Jie Gao, Xian-Chen He, Yan-Ling Liu, Ke-Rong Li, Jian-Ping Guan, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2023, 25, 8824-8828.

(3) Visible-Light-Induced, Catalyst-Free Monofluoromethyl Sulfonylation of Alkenes with Iodine (III) Reagent and DABSO, Zhi-Peng Ye, Jing-Song Yang, Si-Jia Yang, Meng Guo, Chu-Ping Yuan, Yong-Qing Ye, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen*, Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2023, 25, 7062-7066. 

(4) Photosensitized Vicinal Sulfonylamination of Alkenes with Oxime Ester and DABCO·(SO2)2, Chu-Ping Yuan, Yu Zheng, Zhen-Zhen Xie, Ke-Yi Deng, Hong-Bin Chen, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen,* Hua Yang*, Org. Lett. 2023, 25, 1782-1786.

(5) Enantioselective synthesis of biscyclopropanes using alkynes as dicarbene equivalents, Chuntao Wang, Rui Wu, Kai Chen*, Shifa Zhu*, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023,  62, e202305864.

(6) 1, 2‐Difunctionalization of Acetylene Enabled by Light, Shiwei Lü, Zipeng Wang, Xiang Gao, Kai Chen,* Shifa Zhu,* Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202300268.

2022

(1) Photoredox‐Catalyzed Deoxygenation of Hexafluoroacetone Hydrate Enables Hydroxypolyfluoroalkylation of Alkenes,  Zhen‐Zhen Xie, Yu Zheng, Chu‐Ping Yuan, Jian‐Ping Guan, Zhi‐Peng Ye, Jun‐An Xiao, Hao‐Yue Xiang, Kai Chen,* Xiao‐Qing Chen,* Hua Yang,  Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202211035

(2) Regioselective Access to Vicinal Diamines by Metal‐Free Photosensitized Amidylimination of Alkenes with Oxime Esters, Yu Zheng, Zhu‐Jun Wang, Zhi‐Peng Ye, Kai Tang, Zhen‐Zhen Xie, Jun‐An Xiao, Hao‐Yue Xiang, Kai Chen,* Xiao‐Qing Chen,* Hua Yang,* Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202212292

(3) Photoredox-catalysed chlorination of quinoxalin-2 (1 H)-ones enabled by using CHCl3 as a chlorine source, Mei-Chun Wu, Ming-Zhi Li, Jia-Yi Chen, Jun-An Xiao, Hao-Yue Xiang, Kai Chen,* Hua Yang*, Chem. Commun. 2022, 58, 11591-11594. 

(4) Rh2(II)-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular Büchner reaction and aromatic substitution of donor–donor carbenes, Dong Zhu, Tongxiang Cao, Kai Chen,* Shifa Zhu,* Chem. Sci. 2022, 13, 1992-2000.

1) Ongoing Projects

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), General Program, Grant No. 22478446, Machine Learning-Driven Research and Applications of Phosphine-Mediated Visible-Light/Nickel Dual Catalytic Coupling Reactions, Jan. 2025–Dec. 2028, RMB 500,000, ongoing, Principal Investigator;

Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, General Program, Grant No. 2024JJ5416, Visible-Light-Promoted Radical Reactions Based on the Fragmentation of Phosphonyl Radicals, Jan. 2024–Dec. 2026, RMB 50,000, ongoing, Principal Investigator.

2) Completed Projects

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Young Scientists Fund, Grant No. 22003077, Mechanistic Studies of Asymmetric Autocatalytic [3+3] Cyclization Reactions of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Acetates, Jan. 2021–Dec. 2023, RMB 300,000, completed, Principal Investigator;

Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, Young Scientists Fund, Grant No. 2018JJ3868, Mechanistic Studies of Metal-Carbene-Based Reactions, Jan. 2018–Dec. 2020, RMB 50,000, completed, Principal Investigator;

Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Doctoral Research Start-up Fund, Grant No. 2016A030310433, Mechanistic Studies of Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Reactions Based on o-Benzoquinone Intermediates, Jun. 2016–Jun. 2019, RMB 100,000, completed, Principal Investigator;

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, General Program, Grant No. 2015M582378, Mechanistic Studies of Organic Reactions Based on the Generation and Trapping of Transient Species, Sep. 2015–May 2017, RMB 50,000, completed, Principal Investigator.