Jun Yong Kang

Jun Yong Kang serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, specializing in organic synthesis with emphasis on asymmetric catalysis, new reaction discovery, and biocompatible materials development.

His research program centers on N-hetero phosphines as platforms for bifunctional organocatalysts, enabling novel cascade reactions including asymmetric tandem annulation and fluorination. These methodologies facilitate ring-opening polymerization for biocompatible polymers and future synthesis of biologically active complex molecules.

Recent publications (2019-2025) reveal dominant expertise in phosphorus/sulfur chemistry, featuring metal-free carbon-phosphorus/sulfur bond formation, chiral phosphorus-based asymmetric catalysis, and functionalized organophosphorus compound synthesis through innovative activation strategies.

Dr. Kang mentors graduate students Jeffrey Ash and Choi Tsang while supervising undergraduate researchers including Citlally Lopez, Lilian Huynh, and Parsa Azaei in collaborative synthetic chemistry projects.