The “Nankai-Scripps” Organic Chemistry Seminar was held on September 21, 2017. Proessor Yu Jinquan and Professor Phil S. Baran (from the Scripps Research Institute), Dr. Martin D. Eastgate (from Bristol-Myers Squibb), Professor Liang Guangxin and Professor Zhu Shoufei (from Nankai University) gave reports on scientific progress in their respective fields. Approximately 200 teachers and students attended the seminar. Professor Chen Gong presided over the opening ceremony and Professor Chen Jun, Dean of the College of Chemistry, made the opening speech.

    At first, Professor Yu Jinquan made a report on Enantioselective and Remote C-H Activation Reactions. Professor Yu received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Cambridge in 1999 and is working at the Scripps Research Institute. His research centers around the discovery of catalytic carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions based on C-H activation. The synthetic applications of his achievements help to shorten synthetic routes for natural products and drug molecules. He is one of the best scientists in the field C-H activation and has received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2016.

    Professor Phil S. Baran then gave a report on Translational Chemistry. Professor Baran is leading his generation to new heights of synthesis of natural products. His group completed a number of breathtaking syntheses of natural products, including palau'amine, vinigrol, etc. Baran was named a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and became the member of the National Academy of Sciences in 2017.

    Dr. Martin D. Eastgate's gave a report on Innovation in the Synthesis of Complex Pharmaceutical Compounds. Dr. Eastgate graduated from the University of Cambridge and is the director of Chemical and Synthetic Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb. In the past few years, he has been cooperating with Prof. Yu and Prof. Baran, to bridge the gap between fundamental researches and applications.

    Professor Liang Guangxin gave a report on User-friendly Synthesis and Professor Zhu Shoufei gave a report on Catalytic Hydrogen Transfer Reactions on behalf of the College of the Chemistry of Nankai University. Teachers and students attending the meeting were deeply attracted by the charm of organic chemistry and communicated with the speakers enthusiastically.

    The seminar was a complete success.