Interview with Qian Zhang

Qian Zhang

Professor Qian Zhang was born in 1971 in Jilin, China. She received her BS and MS degrees from the Department of Chemistry, Northeast Normal University (1993 and 1996). She obtained her PhD degree (2003) from Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the supervision of Professor Lixiang Wang in the research field of organic light emitting materials, especially in the design of hole transporting materials based on carbazole derivatives. Then, as a visiting scholar, she spent half a year learning to teach science in English at the University of Sydney, Australia. She worked at Northeast Normal University for 23 years as an Assistant, Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor. Now, her research interests are focused on the development of novel reactions, reagents and strategies for organic synthesis. The Zhang group has developed a series of new methodologies for C–N bond formation. For example, we first utilized N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide and its derivatives as nitrogen-centered radicals to perform some new reactions such as the amino-difunctionalization of C–C double bonds and multiple amino-functionalization of C–C triple bonds. We established a highly efficient and controllable catalyst system comprising copper and a fluorine positive ion oxidant, which led to the direct and efficient construction of C–N bonds from benzylic and allylic C–H bonds and the synthesis of benzoxazine and quinazoline heterocyclic compounds via the consecutive activation of different types of C–H bond.

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What inspired you to choose science and eventually become a chemist in the first place?

As a teacher at university, at first, I just wanted to pass on chemistry knowledge to students more flexibly and deeply through scientific research. During this course, I became fascinated and eventually became a chemist.

How do you define ‘a successful scientist’ and how can success be achieved?

A successful scientist is motivated by their enjoyment of research, is recognised within the field, makes contributions to science, and of course makes a good living through their own professional efforts. Success should be based on the concept of pursuing truth, brave exploration, diligent innovation and being honest, as well as being lucky to meet great inspirational mentors.

Do you have any tips for doing successful scientific research?

Constant passion, indestructible will, and infinite inspiration.

What are your hobbies? Is there a relationship between your hobbies and research?

I like skiing, swimming, running, listening to music, and reading. Taking the relationship between my skiing hobby and my research as an example, I experience nature by integrating into the snowy mountain, calmly respond to all possible dangers, and think deeply about every action that needs to be improved to achieve a perfect glide. All of these feelings relate to the beauty of exploring the world through scientific research, and involve the same goal in different ways.

How is a work–life balance achieved?

Scientific research does not need to be focused on every aspect, but should be aimed at the most important point. Life is wonderful, but don't get too involved in the details. Therefore, decisive choice is the key to balance.

What are your suggestions for the younger generation to encourage them to consider a career in science?

It's a really challenging profession, in which you constantly learn, generate ideas, and make people feel infinite passion and vitality.

If you were not a chemist, which career would you choose?

Detective. When I was young, I liked detective novels and TV plays. I was fascinated by the stories that were successfully solved through observation and analysis of details. It was once my dream to be a detective, but I didn't know that it is also related to my current occupation. Solving key scientific problems in the field also involves careful analysis and consideration of details.

References

1. H. Li, M. Zhang, H. Mehfooz, D. Zhu, J. Zhao and Q. Zhang, Highly convergent modular access to poly-carbon substituted cyclopropanes via Cu(I)-catalyzed three-component cyclopropene carboallylation, Org. Chem. Front., 2019, 6, 3387–3391.
2. Z. Y. Li, J. B. Zhao, B. Z. Sun, T. T. Zhou, M. Z. Liu, S. Liu, M. R. Zhang and Q. Zhang, Asymmetric Nitrone Synthesis via Ligand-Enabled Copper-Catalyzed Cope-Type Hydroamination of Cyclopropene with Oxime, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 11702–11705.
3. T. W. Pouambeka, G. Zhang, G. Zheng, G. Xu, Q. Zhang, T. Xiong and Q. Zhang, Copper-catalyzed oxidative amidation of α,β-unsaturated ketones via selective C–H or C–C bond cleavage, Org. Chem. Front., 2017, 4, 1420–1424.
4. G. Zhang, T. Xiong, Z. Wang, G. Xu, X. Wang and Q. Zhang, Highly Regioselective Radical Amination of Allenes: Direct Synthesis of Allenamides and Tetrasubstituted Alkenes, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 12649–12653.
5. G. Zheng, Y. Li, J. Han, T. Xiong and Q. Zhang, Radical Cascade Reaction of Alkynes with N-Fluoroarylsulfonimides and Alcohols, Nat. Commun., 2015, 6, 7011.
6. H. Zhang, Y. Song, J. Zhao, J. Zhang and Q. Zhang, Regioselective Radical Aminofluorination of Styrenes, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2014, 53, 11079–11083.
7. H. Zhang, W. Pu, T. Xiong, Y. Li, X. Zhou, K. Sun, Q. Liu and Q. Zhang, Copper-Catalyzed Intermolecular Aminocyanation and Diamination of Alkenes, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2013, 52, 2529–2533.
8. Z. Ni, Q. Zhang, T. Xiong, Y. Zheng, Y. Li, H. Zhang, J. Zhang and Q. Liu, Highly Regioselective Copper-Catalyzed Benzylic C–H Amination by N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2012, 51, 1244–1247.
9. T. Xiong, Y. Li, X. Bi, Y. Lv and Q. Zhang, Copper-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling Reactions of N-p-Tolylamides through Successive C–H Activation: Synthesis of 4H-3,1-Benzoxazines, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2011, 50, 7140–7143.
10. K. Sun, Y. Li, T. Xiong, J. Zhang and Q. Zhang, Palladium-Catalyzed C–H Aminations of Anilides with N-Fluorobenzenesulfonimide, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2011, 133, 1694–1697.

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