The Green Pharmaceutical Processes and Functional Molecule R&D Innovation Team at School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering recently announced exciting progress: the project Research and Application of Alkyne-Driven Controlled Rearrangement Reactions of Propargylamines, led by Dr. Feng Huangdi, has been granted funding under the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2025. This achievement marks the team's second consecutive year securing an NSFC General Program award, following Researcher Huang Junhai's successful application last year, demonstrating the team's sustained innovative capabilities.
Propargylamines serve as crucial synthetic building blocks with broad application potential in pharmaceutical development and functional materials. However, due to the special structure of this compound, achieving precise functional group conversions and controlling reaction selectivity remain significant challenges. To address these challenges, the project introduces a novel alkyne-driven strategy. By precisely regulating C–N bond activation and reaction site selectivity, the research aims to establish a new propargylamine rearrangement reaction system. This system will enable efficient and precise conversion from simple amine substrates to complex functional molecules. The study is expected to not only advance the fundamental theories and methodological frameworks of amino conversion reactions but also provide new strategies and technical support for green synthesis of functional molecules and drug development.
The Innovation Team focuses on addressing key challenges in synthetic chemistry within the fields of health, high-end fine chemicals, and functional materials. With a core mission of cultivating innovative, application-oriented top talent, the team is committed to supporting the development of the biomedical industry. Its systematic research efforts concentrate on two primary areas: (1) developing novel organic synthesis methodologies guided by precision chemistry and green chemistry principles; (2) investigating green synthesis processes and industrial applications for pharmaceutical (including agrochemical) and functional compounds.
Introduction to the Project Leader
Feng Huangdi, a professor and an external Ph.D. supervisor at KU Leuven (the Dutch - speaking University of Leuven) in Belgium, has long been dedicated to the research on alkyne transformation guided by precision chemistry and green chemistry. He has presided over 2 General Programs of the National Natural Science Foundation and 2 General Programs of the Shanghai Natural Science Foundation. In the past three years, as the corresponding author, he has published 12 research papers in top journals of Category 1 in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, such as Nature Communications, Green Chemistry, Organic Letters, and Chinese Journal of Chemistry, and 19 papers in Category 2 journals.
Date: September 1st, 2025
Issued by: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
