Zhong-Yan Cao

Dr. Zhong-Yan Cao is a research scientist affiliated with the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), a leading research institution in Tarragona, Spain. He has been actively involved in cutting-edge research in organic synthesis and photochemistry, working within The Melchiorre’s Group led by Prof. Paolo Melchiorre. His work focuses on developing novel catalytic strategies for enantioselective transformations using photoactive systems.

Dr. Cao's research lies at the intersection of organic chemistry, photochemistry, and asymmetric catalysis. His expertise includes the design and application of iminium-ion-based electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes to drive enantioselective radical reactions under visible light irradiation. This work contributes to sustainable and metal-free synthetic methodologies with high stereocontrol.

His most notable publication, published in Nature Communications in 2018, demonstrates a groundbreaking approach to enantioselective radical conjugate additions. The research highlights trends in modern organic synthesis: merging photoredox processes with organocatalysis, avoiding transition metals, and leveraging non-covalent interactions for stereocontrol.

• ERC Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dr. Cao conducted his postdoctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Paolo Melchiorre, supported by an ERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, indicating competitive funding and recognition at the European level. While no formal advisees are listed, his role likely involved collaboration within a multidisciplinary team of chemists focused on innovative catalytic methods.

He was part of The Melchiorre’s Group at ICIQ, a research team dedicated to advancing asymmetric photocatalysis and developing new paradigms in enantioselective synthesis through the integration of physical organic chemistry principles and innovative catalytic designs.