恭喜, Dr. Gao!

29th octubre 2025 – Fengyun Gao, a PhD student who is under Prof. Arjan W. Kleij supervision, has successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled “Metal and Dual Metal/Photo Catalyzed Stereoselective Coupling of Vinyl Carbonates” publicly Wednesday, 29 October.

The members of the evaluation committee were  Prof. Òscar Pàmies (Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Spain), Dr. Matteo Lanzi (Università’ degli Studi di Parma, Italy) and Dr. Sara Cembellín Santos (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain).

Her PhD studies are supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC).

What do you want to achieve as a scientist?

If I can call myself a scientist one day, I hope to create chemistry that is both useful and sustainable. I want to develop catalytic methods that make synthesis more efficient and environmentally friendly — and, at the same time, inspire others to see how beautiful and creative chemistry can be.

What is your thesis about?

My thesis focuses on metal- and dual metal/photocatalyzed stereoselective coupling of vinyl carbonates (VCCs). In this work, I explored palladium- and cobalt-catalyzed allylic coupling reactions, as well as combined metal/photoredox systems, to achieve highly selective C–C bond formation under mild and sustainable conditions.

What triggered your interest for the subject of your thesis?

I became interested in this field because transition-metal catalysis combines both creativity and sustainability. In particular, I was intrigued by how palladium has been widely used in classic allylic substitution reactions, while cobalt, as a first-row metal, offers new opportunities for radical-based and photochemical pathways. This contrast motivated me to study how these two metals—and their cooperation with photocatalysts—can open up new reactivity patterns.

What applications can your thesis have in the future?

The methodologies developed in my thesis could be applied to the synthesis of complex molecules, such as pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, where stereoselectivity is essential. In addition, since the reactions use sustainable metals and mild conditions, they can contribute to greener and more efficient industrial processes.

From the lessons learnt at ICIQ, which one do you value the most?

The most important thing I’ve learned at ICIQ is the value of collaboration. Working with people from different backgrounds taught me how teamwork can make science more creative and enjoyable. Many of my best ideas came from discussions with colleagues.

What ICIQ moment you´ll never forget? 

The moment I’ll never forget at ICIQ is when the institute organized different social activities, especially during local festivals. For example, we once had a traditional Catalan event where we grilled “calçots” together — it was so much fun and a great way to experience the local culture with my colleagues.

What will you miss the most from ICIQ?

I’ll definitely miss the people the most — my colleagues, my friends, and all the moments we shared inside and outside the lab. There were also some tough times, of course, but they helped me grow and made the happy moments even more special. ICIQ really became like a second home to me.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD?

I wish I had known that progress in research often comes slowly and unpredictably—and that patience and persistence are just as important as technical skills. Once I learned to embrace that, I began to enjoy the process much more.

Have you ever been emotional over an experiment/simulation? Why?

Yes, definitely! I still remember when a reaction I’d been struggling with for weeks finally worked — the feeling was pure joy. You spend so much time and energy on it that the result really hits you emotionally.

Who has been your biggest influence?

My supervisor, Prof. Arjan Kleij, has been a big inspiration. His scientific vision and patience taught me a lot. I’m also motivated by my labmates — their enthusiasm and teamwork kept me going during tough times.

Where are you going next? What will you do there?

After my PhD, I’m going to join a company, where I’ll work on more application-oriented projects. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the chemistry I’ve learned can be used in real products and processes.

What is your favourite molecule? 

Probably vinyl cyclic carbonate — it’s simple but incredibly versatile! It’s been at the heart of my PhD, and I love how such a small molecule can open so many synthetic possibilities.

If you were a piece of lab equipment, what would you be?

I think I’d be a fume hood — it just stays there quietly every day, doing its job without moving much. I feel we share the same energy during my PhD years!

Tell us something about you that people might not know…

Something people might not know about me is that my biggest dream is to be a koala — just eating, sleeping, and relaxing all day. After a PhD, that lifestyle sounds perfect!