Asymmetric aminocatalysis has been established a powerful tool to functionalize the carbonyl compounds. In this talk, we will discuss the discovery and development of chiral primary amine catalysts and chiral acyclic secondary amine catalysts to address some difficult reactions. In particular, we will discuss the diastereodivergence between chiral primary amine catalysis and secondary amine catalysis, and the enantiodivergence between chiral cyclic secondary amine catalysis and acyclic secondary amine catalysis.

Zhihui Shao obtained his PhD from Lanzhou University in 2004. He carried out his postdoctoral studies with Professor Stephen Hanessian at University of Montreal (2004–2006), and with Professor Albert, S. C. Chan at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2006–2007), respectively. Then he joined the faculty of the School of Chemical Science and Technology at Yunnan University, where he began independent research. Now he is a professor and vice dean of School of Chemical Science and Technology, Yunnan University. His research interests focus on asymmetric catalysis and synthesis.