Yao Fu
fuyao@ustc.edu.cn
Education
2000-2005 Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China
1996-2000 Bachelor's Degree in Polymer Materials and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China
Experience
2023-Present Senior Researcher, Hefei National Laboratory
2010-Present Professor, University of Science and Technology of China
2005-2010 Associate Professor, University of Science and Technology of China
Overview of Academic Research
Professor Fu has long been engaged in research in the fields of physical organic chemistry and green chemistry. By employing an integrated approach combining quantum chemical calculations, theoretical modeling, and experimental investigation, he has developed innovative green organic reactions and catalytic systems, which have been successfully applied to biomass catalytic conversion for the production of liquid fuels and chemicals. His work has achieved significant advancements in the creation of green synthetic methodologies and biomass energy chemical engineering. These research outcomes have been published in prestigious journals such as Science, Nature Catalysis, Nature Synthesis, CCS Chemistry, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society. From 2019 to 2024, he has been continuously recognized on the Elsevier Highly Cited Chinese Researchers list.
Major Honors and Awards
2023 Lihuayi Chemical Innovation Award, Chinese Chemical Society
2020 The Xplorer Prize
2020 Anhui Provincial Natural Science Award (First Prize, First Recipient)
2017 Min Enze Energy Chemical Engineering Award for Outstanding Contributions
2017 National Natural Science Award (Second Prize, Second Recipient)
Representative Publications
1. Wang, C.-L. et al. Boryl radical catalysis enables asymmetric radical cycloisomerization reactions. Science 382, 1056-1065 (2023).
2. Li, Y. et al. Enantioselective alkene hydroalkylation overcoming heteroatom constraints via cobalt catalysis. Nat. Synth. 3, 1134-1144 (2024).
3. Li, Y. et al. Cobalt-catalysed enantioselective C(sp3)–C(sp3) coupling. Nat. Catal. 4, 901-911 (2021).
4. Li, Y. et al. Recent Advances in Cobalt-Catalyzed Regio- or Stereoselective Hydrofunctionalization of Alkenes and Alkynes. CCS Chem. 6, 1130-1156 (2024).
5. Liu, B. et al. Regiodivergent Hydroamidation of Alkenes via Cobalt-Hydride Catalysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 147, 13983-13992 (2025).