Wei Zhang
Former Director of the Center for Green Chemistry at UMass Boston
Biography
Dr. Wei Zhang is a Full Professor of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He received a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Senior Scientist at DuPont Agricultural Chemicals, and Director of Discovery Chemistry at Fluorous Technologies, Inc. before joining UMass Boston in 2008
Area of Expertise
Organic synthesis, asymmetric organocatalysis, fluorous chemistry, free radical synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and green chemistry
Professional Publications & Contributions
Five Representative Papers
- “Recyclable fluorous cinchona organocatalysts for asymmetric synthesis of biologically interested compounds” (Feature Article) Huang, X.; Zhang, W. Chem. Commun. 2021, 57, 10116-10124
- “Development of Dimethylisoxazole-attached Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as Potent and Selective CBP/P300 Inhibitors” Muthengi, A.; Wimalasena, V. K.; Yosief, H. O.; Bikowitz, M. J.; Li, D.; Gaieb, Z.; Dhawan, G.; Liu, S.; Erickson, J.; Schönbrunn, E.; Amaro, R. E.; Qi, J.; Zhang, W. J. Med. Chem. 2021, 64, 5787-5801
- Green Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry, 2nd Ed, Zhang, W.; Cue, B. W. Eds., Wiley, Chichester, 2018.
- “Fluorous Linker-Facilitated Chemical Synthesis” Zhang, W. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 749-795.
- “Free Radical Mediated Ring Expansion and Related Annulations” Dowd, P.; Zhang, W. Chem. Rev. 1993, 93, 2091-2115
Additional Information
Professor Zhang’s lab has multiple research projects on drug discovery and medicinal chemistry collaborating with Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. Professor Zhang is a pioneer in the development of fluorous technologies and received International Fluorous Technologies Award 2015 in Italy.