Gregory C. Fu

Gregory C. Fu is the Norman Chandler Professor of Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology, where he has served since 2016 (previously as the Altair Professor from 2012-2016). His research focuses on developing novel catalytic methods for organic synthesis, particularly transition-metal catalyzed reactions with emphasis on enantioselective processes.

Education:

• B.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1985
• Ph.D. from Harvard University, 1991

Professor Fu's research group is dedicated to advancing the field of catalytic organic synthesis, with particular expertise in nickel-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation and copper-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond formation. Their work emphasizes enantioconvergent reactions of racemic electrophiles, enabling the synthesis of complex chiral molecules with high stereoselectivity. The group employs mechanistic studies to guide reaction development, creating practical synthetic methods with broad applicability in pharmaceutical and materials chemistry.

The research output demonstrates a clear progression toward increasingly sophisticated catalytic systems, with recent work focusing on photoinduced copper-catalyzed reactions and nickel-catalyzed enantioconvergent processes. The group has made significant contributions to the synthesis of amines, aminoalcohols, and other biologically relevant scaffolds through innovative cross-coupling methodologies.

Scientific Recognition:

• Norman Chandler Professor of Chemistry (2016-present)
• Altair Professor (2012-2016)

Professor Fu actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with many group members going on to successful careers in academia and industry. His teaching responsibilities include Ch 104 (Intermediate Organic Chemistry) and Ch 149 (Tutorial in Organic Chemistry), where he emphasizes reaction mechanisms and problem-solving skills. The Fu Research Group maintains strong collaborations, particularly with the Peters lab at Caltech for copper-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond formation research.

The Fu Lab is housed in Schlinger Laboratory at Caltech, where they conduct cutting-edge research in transition-metal catalysis. The group maintains an active presence in the chemical sciences community, regularly presenting at major conferences and publishing in top-tier journals. Their collaborative approach and focus on mechanistic understanding have established them as leaders in the field of asymmetric catalysis.