Prof. Dr. Oliver Reiser is a full Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry within the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Regensburg. His research group focuses on cutting-edge developments in organic synthesis, particularly in the areas of photocatalysis and visible light chemistry. He leads the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325 on "Assembly Controlled Chemical Photocatalysis," which aims to develop new frontiers in photocatalysis for organic synthesis through designed control of catalyst-substrate interactions. University of Hamburg (PhD, 1989) IBM Research Center (Postdoc) Harvard University (Postdoc) University of Göttingen (Habilitation, 1995) Prof. Reiser's research spans multiple interconnected fields with a strong emphasis on sustainable chemistry. His group extensively utilizes modern techniques for organic synthesis including flow reactors, microwaves, and high-pressure systems. The primary research thrusts include catalysis (both metal and organocatalysts), unnatural amino acids and peptide foldamers, and natural product synthesis. His work on visible light photocatalysis has been particularly influential, with numerous publications in high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie and Nature Catalysis. The group's research integrates experimental, spectroscopic, and computational techniques to analyze catalyst-substrate interactions for more rational design of photochemical reactions. Analysis of Prof. Reiser's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on copper-based photocatalysis, sustainable chemistry using earth-abundant metals, and innovative approaches to heterocycle synthesis. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward developing more efficient and environmentally friendly catalytic processes, with particular emphasis on visible light activation, catalyst immobilization for recyclability, and applications in medicinal chemistry. The research spans from fundamental mechanistic studies to practical applications in synthesis. German Academic Scholarship Foundation Minerva Foundation NATO Fellowship German Research Foundation Support Karl Winnacker Foundation Prof. Reiser has supervised numerous doctoral students, with recent PhD theses focusing on copper photoredox catalysis, magnetic nanoparticle-supported catalysts, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. His research is supported by multiple collaborative projects, including the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325, and involves extensive national and international collaborations with institutions such as the University of Kansas, the National Institute of Chemistry in Pune, the Institut Chimie de Coordination du CNRS in Toulouse, and the University of Zaragoza. The group maintains strong ties with pharmaceutical research through collaborations with Prof. A. Beck-Sickinger in Leipzig on neuropeptide ligands. The research group operates well-equipped laboratories with capabilities for advanced organic synthesis and characterization. They have developed specialized expertise in flow chemistry, high-pressure techniques, and magnetic nanoparticle-based catalyst systems. The CRC 325 initiative has provided significant infrastructure for collaborative research in photocatalysis, bringing together multiple research groups with complementary expertise in organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry.
