Recent Publications

Chemoselective and Diastereoselective Intramolecular (3+2) Cycloadditions of Epoxy and Aziridinyl Enolsilanes
Chen, J. Ling, A. B. Keto, Y. He, K.-H. Low, E. H. Krenske, P Chiu (Selected as a Hot Paper)
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, e202116099 doi.org/10.1002/anie.202116099

A soluble iron(ii)-phthalocyanine-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)–H amination with alkyl azides
T. You, S.H. Zeng, J. Fan, L. Wu, F. Kang, Y. Liu, C.M. Che
Chem. Commun. 2021,57, 10711 (Selected as Cover)

Towards multistate multimode landscapes in singlet fission of pentacene: the dual role of charge-transfer states
R. Walia, Z. Deng, J. Yang
Chem. Sci. 2021 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01703a

Steering Electron‐Hole Migration Pathways using Oxygen Vacancies in Tungsten Oxides to Enhance their Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Performance
Z. Wei, W. Wang, W. Li, X. Bai, J. Zhao, E.C.M. Tse*, D. L. Phillips*, Y. Zhu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 8236 DOI:10.1002/anie.202016170

Ferrocene-Based Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets as a Robust Oxygen Evolution Catalyst
J. Liang, X. Gao, B. Guo, Y. Ding, J. Yan, Z. Guo, E.C.M. Tse*, J. Liu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 12770 DOI:10.1002/anie.202101878

A Molecular Transformer: A π-Conjugated Macrocycle as an Adaptable Host
J. Wang, Y.-Y. Ju, K.-H. Low, Y.-Z. Tan, J. Liu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11814 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202102637

Defective Nanographenes Containing Seven-Five-Seven (7-5-7) Membered Rings
Y. Fei, Y. Fu, X. Bai, L. Du, Z. Li, H. Komber, K.-H. Low, S. Zhou, D. L. Phillips, X. Feng, J. Liu*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 2353 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12116

Bio-adhesive Nanoporous Module: Toward Autonomous Gating
H. Jo, T. Kitao, A. Kimura, Y. Itoh, T. Aida*, K. Okuro*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 8932 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202017117

Total synthesis of mannopeptimycin via chemical ligation cyclization
J. Wang, D. Lin, M. Liu, H. Liu, Li, X.*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021. 143, 12784 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05922

Chemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Adiponectin Collagenous Domain Glycoforms
H. Wu, Y. Zhang, Y. Li, J. Xu, Y. Wang*, X. Li*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 7808 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c02382

Revealing generation, migration and dissociation of electron−hole pairs and current emergence in an organic photovoltaic cell
Z. Xu, Y. Zhou, C.Y. Yam, T. Frauenheim, C. Lienau, G.H. Chen*
Sci. Adv. 2021, 7, eabf7672 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf7672

Rapid Broad Spectrum Detection of Carbapenemases with a Dual Fluorogenic-Colorimetric Probe
C.W. Ma, K.K.H. Ng, B.H.C. Yam, P.L. Ho, R.Y.T. Kao, D. Yang*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 18, 6886 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00462

Multi-target mode of action of silver against Staphylococcus aureus endows it with capability to combat antibiotic resistance
H.B. Wang, M.J. Wang, X.H. Xu, P. Gao, Z.L. Xu, Q. Zhang, H.Y. Li, A.X. Yan, R.Y.T. Kao, H.Z. Sun*
Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3331 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23659-y

Photoinduced Hydroarylation and Cyclization of Alkenes with Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes
H. Cheng, T.L. Lam, Y. Liu, Z. Tang, C.M. Che*
Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 1383-1389 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011841

C−H Activation by an Iron-Nitrido Bis-Pocket Porphyrin Species
H.X. Wang, L. Wu, B. Zheng, L. Du, W.P. To, C.H. Ko, D. L. Phillips*, C.M. Che*
Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60,4796 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014191

Aggregation and Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Low-Energy Red Luminescent Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes for RNA Detection, Nucleolus Imaging, and RNA Synthesis Inhibitor Screening
A.S.Y. Law, L.C.C. Lee, K.K.W. Lo*, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 5396 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c13327

Dual Emissive Gold(I)–Sulfido Cluster Framework Capable of Benzene–Cyclohexane Separation in the Solid State Accompanied by Luminescence Color Changes
L.Y. Yao, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 2558 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11891

Platinum(II)-Based Host–Guest Coordination-Driven Supramolecular Co-Assembly Assisted by Pt···Pt and π–π Stacking Interactions: A Dual-Selective Luminescence Sensor for Cations and Anions
Y.S. Wong, M. Ng, M.C.L. Yeung, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 973 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11162

A tri-functional amino acid enables mapping of binding sites for posttranslational-modification-mediated protein-protein interactions
J. Lin, X. Bao*, X.D. Li*
Mol. Cell 2021, 81, 2669 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.04.001

Strong metal–metal Pauli repulsion leads to repulsive metallophilicity in closed-shell d8 and d10 organometallic complexes
Q. Wan*, J. Yang*, W.P. To, C.M Che*
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2021, 118, e2019265118 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019265118

Geometrical manipulation of complex supramolecular tessellations by hierarchical assembly of amphiphilic platinum(II) complexes
J.K.L. Poon, Z. Chen, S.Y.L. Leung, M.Y. Leung, V.W.W. Yam*
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2021, 118, e2022829118

Catalytic reductive desymmetrization of malonic esters
P. Xu, Z. Huang*
Nat. Chem. 2021, 13, 634 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00715-0

Selection of DNA-encoded chemical libraries against endogenous membrane proteins on live cells
Y. Huang, L. Meng, Q. Nie, Y. Zhou, L. Chen, S. Yang, Y. M. E. Fung, X. Li, C. Huang, Y. Cao,* Y. Li,* X. Li*
Nat. Chem. 2021, 13, 77 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-020-00605-x
Department News
- 11 Feb 2025 HKU Researcher Professor Vivian W W YAM Honoured with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 2025 Award
- 06 Feb 2025 HKU Researcher Professor Hongjie DAI Honoured as Sapientia Eminence Professor
- 03 Jan 2025 In Memoriam Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart
- 13 Nov 2023 HKU Researcher Professor Jinyao TANG receives the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2023 in New Materials and New Energy
- 15 Sep 2023 HKU Researcher Professor Zhongxing HUANG was awarded China's Excellent Young Scientists Fund 2023
- 15 Sep 2023 Dual Trojan Horse Strategy to Combat Superbugs
Recent Publications

Chemoselective and Diastereoselective Intramolecular (3+2) Cycloadditions of Epoxy and Aziridinyl Enolsilanes
Chen, J. Ling, A. B. Keto, Y. He, K.-H. Low, E. H. Krenske, P Chiu (Selected as a Hot Paper)
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, e202116099 doi.org/10.1002/anie.202116099

A soluble iron(ii)-phthalocyanine-catalyzed intramolecular C(sp3)–H amination with alkyl azides
T. You, S.H. Zeng, J. Fan, L. Wu, F. Kang, Y. Liu, C.M. Che
Chem. Commun. 2021,57, 10711 (Selected as Cover)

Towards multistate multimode landscapes in singlet fission of pentacene: the dual role of charge-transfer states
R. Walia, Z. Deng, J. Yang
Chem. Sci. 2021 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc01703a

Steering Electron‐Hole Migration Pathways using Oxygen Vacancies in Tungsten Oxides to Enhance their Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Performance
Z. Wei, W. Wang, W. Li, X. Bai, J. Zhao, E.C.M. Tse*, D. L. Phillips*, Y. Zhu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 8236 DOI:10.1002/anie.202016170

Ferrocene-Based Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets as a Robust Oxygen Evolution Catalyst
J. Liang, X. Gao, B. Guo, Y. Ding, J. Yan, Z. Guo, E.C.M. Tse*, J. Liu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 12770 DOI:10.1002/anie.202101878

A Molecular Transformer: A π-Conjugated Macrocycle as an Adaptable Host
J. Wang, Y.-Y. Ju, K.-H. Low, Y.-Z. Tan, J. Liu*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11814 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202102637

Defective Nanographenes Containing Seven-Five-Seven (7-5-7) Membered Rings
Y. Fei, Y. Fu, X. Bai, L. Du, Z. Li, H. Komber, K.-H. Low, S. Zhou, D. L. Phillips, X. Feng, J. Liu*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 2353 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c12116

Bio-adhesive Nanoporous Module: Toward Autonomous Gating
H. Jo, T. Kitao, A. Kimura, Y. Itoh, T. Aida*, K. Okuro*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 8932 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202017117

Total synthesis of mannopeptimycin via chemical ligation cyclization
J. Wang, D. Lin, M. Liu, H. Liu, Li, X.*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021. 143, 12784 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05922

Chemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Adiponectin Collagenous Domain Glycoforms
H. Wu, Y. Zhang, Y. Li, J. Xu, Y. Wang*, X. Li*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 7808 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c02382

Revealing generation, migration and dissociation of electron−hole pairs and current emergence in an organic photovoltaic cell
Z. Xu, Y. Zhou, C.Y. Yam, T. Frauenheim, C. Lienau, G.H. Chen*
Sci. Adv. 2021, 7, eabf7672 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf7672

Rapid Broad Spectrum Detection of Carbapenemases with a Dual Fluorogenic-Colorimetric Probe
C.W. Ma, K.K.H. Ng, B.H.C. Yam, P.L. Ho, R.Y.T. Kao, D. Yang*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 18, 6886 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00462

Multi-target mode of action of silver against Staphylococcus aureus endows it with capability to combat antibiotic resistance
H.B. Wang, M.J. Wang, X.H. Xu, P. Gao, Z.L. Xu, Q. Zhang, H.Y. Li, A.X. Yan, R.Y.T. Kao, H.Z. Sun*
Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 3331 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23659-y

Photoinduced Hydroarylation and Cyclization of Alkenes with Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes
H. Cheng, T.L. Lam, Y. Liu, Z. Tang, C.M. Che*
Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 1383-1389 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011841

C−H Activation by an Iron-Nitrido Bis-Pocket Porphyrin Species
H.X. Wang, L. Wu, B. Zheng, L. Du, W.P. To, C.H. Ko, D. L. Phillips*, C.M. Che*
Angew.Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60,4796 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202014191

Aggregation and Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Low-Energy Red Luminescent Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes for RNA Detection, Nucleolus Imaging, and RNA Synthesis Inhibitor Screening
A.S.Y. Law, L.C.C. Lee, K.K.W. Lo*, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 5396 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c13327

Dual Emissive Gold(I)–Sulfido Cluster Framework Capable of Benzene–Cyclohexane Separation in the Solid State Accompanied by Luminescence Color Changes
L.Y. Yao, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 2558 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11891

Platinum(II)-Based Host–Guest Coordination-Driven Supramolecular Co-Assembly Assisted by Pt···Pt and π–π Stacking Interactions: A Dual-Selective Luminescence Sensor for Cations and Anions
Y.S. Wong, M. Ng, M.C.L. Yeung, V.W.W. Yam*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 973 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11162

A tri-functional amino acid enables mapping of binding sites for posttranslational-modification-mediated protein-protein interactions
J. Lin, X. Bao*, X.D. Li*
Mol. Cell 2021, 81, 2669 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.04.001

Strong metal–metal Pauli repulsion leads to repulsive metallophilicity in closed-shell d8 and d10 organometallic complexes
Q. Wan*, J. Yang*, W.P. To, C.M Che*
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2021, 118, e2019265118 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2019265118

Geometrical manipulation of complex supramolecular tessellations by hierarchical assembly of amphiphilic platinum(II) complexes
J.K.L. Poon, Z. Chen, S.Y.L. Leung, M.Y. Leung, V.W.W. Yam*
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2021, 118, e2022829118

Catalytic reductive desymmetrization of malonic esters
P. Xu, Z. Huang*
Nat. Chem. 2021, 13, 634 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00715-0

Selection of DNA-encoded chemical libraries against endogenous membrane proteins on live cells
Y. Huang, L. Meng, Q. Nie, Y. Zhou, L. Chen, S. Yang, Y. M. E. Fung, X. Li, C. Huang, Y. Cao,* Y. Li,* X. Li*
Nat. Chem. 2021, 13, 77 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-020-00605-x
Department News
-
11 Feb 2025
HKU Researcher Professor Vivian W W YAM Honoured with the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 2025 Award
-
06 Feb 2025
HKU Researcher Professor Hongjie DAI Honoured as Sapientia Eminence Professor
-
03 Jan 2025
In Memoriam Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart
-
13 Nov 2023
HKU Researcher Professor Jinyao TANG receives the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize 2023 in New Materials and New Energy
-
15 Sep 2023
HKU Researcher Professor Zhongxing HUANG was awarded China's Excellent Young Scientists Fund 2023
-
15 Sep 2023
Dual Trojan Horse Strategy to Combat Superbugs
Seminars
-
Expanding the Functional Space of Non-Natural Nucleic Acids through Strategic Molecular Evolution16Jan2026Dr. Yajun WANGChinese Academy of Sciences5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (HKT); CYPP2
-
Toward a Rational Understanding of Polariton Chemistry08Dec2025Prof. Wei XIONGUniversity of California at San Diego5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (HKT); CYPP3
-
Metal Complexes in Medicinal Chemistry04Dec2025Prof. Gilles GasserChimie ParisTech - PSL University6:15 pm - 7:15 pm (HKT); CYCP1
