2025

46. Bimetallic [Co/K] hydrogen evolution catalyst for electrochemical terminal C-H functionalization

Sheng Zhang*, Lei Hong, Jiayi Feng, Mohan Wang, Junyuan Hu, Ying Zhang, Man-Bo Li* Nat. Commun. 2025, 16, 8435. (preprint version, https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6460107/v1)

45. Electrochemical Allene C─H Functionalization via Carbanion Sampling

Jiayi Feng⁺, Yuhang Xia⁺, Mingyu Shen, Junwei Wang, Weigang Fan, Sheng Zhang*, Man-Bo Li* Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202508369.

44. Oxygen Atom Migration of Allylic Esters via an Organocatalyzed Claisen-type Rearrangement

Xiaoli Wang⁺（本科生）, Ke Liu⁺, Xudong Jin, Xin Li, Mingyu Shen, Sheng Zhang,* Man-Bo Li*, Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2025, e202401401 (invited, VIP paper)

2024

43. Photosynthesis of Au₈Cu₆ Nanocluster for Photocatalysis in Oxidative Functionalization of Alkynes

Yan Zhao,⁺ Ze-Min Zhu,⁺ Weigang Fan,⁺ Wanli Zhu, Jing-Jing Yang, Yang Tao, Wenwen Fei, Hong Bi, Sheng Zhang*, Man-Bo Li*, Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 9632

42. Electrochemical Benzylic C(sp3)-H Imidation Enabled by Benzoic Acid Derived Radicals

Peng Qian*, Dan Zhu, Xiaoli Wang, Qi Sun*, Sheng Zhang* J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 6395–6404

41. Repurposing HER catalysis toward metal hydride-mediated electro-reductive transformations

Sheng Zhang*, Man-Bo Li*, Tetrahedron Chem 2024, 11, 100080 (invited paper)

40. Paired electrocatalysis unlocks cross-dehydrogenative coupling of C(sp³)-H bonds using a pentacoordinated cobalt-salen catalyst

Ke Liu, Mengna Lei, Xin Li, Xuemei Zhang, Ying Zhang, Weigang Fan, Man-Bo Li*, Sheng Zhang*, Nat. Commun. 2024, 15, 2897

39. A Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst [Co₂O₂] Metallacycle Enables Regioselective Allene C(sp²)-H Functionalization

Yating Liang,  Jiayi Feng,  Huilong Li,  Xiaoli Wang,  Ying Zhang, Weigang Fan, Sheng Zhang*,  Man-Bo Li*, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202400938 (hot paper). 

2023

38. Direct Electrochemical C(sp3)–H Amidation Enabled by Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP)

Fengyi Li, Ke Liu, Qi Sun, Sheng Zhang*, Man-Bo Li* SynOpen, 2023, 7, 491-495 (invited paper)

37. Electrochemically Driven Hydrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis: A Tool for C(sp³)/Si–H Functionalization and Hydrofunctionalization of Alkenes

Sheng Zhang, Michael Findlater*, ACS Catal. 2023, 13, 8731–8751. （selected as Most Read Articles ）

36. Electrochemically Generated Carbanions Enable Isomerizing Allylation and Allenylation of Aldehydes with Alkenes and Alkynes

Sheng Zhang*, Yating Liang, Ke Liu, Xuan Zhan, Weigang Fan, Man-Bo Li*, Michael Findlater*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 14143-14154. 

35.  Electrochemical four-component aminochlorination tuned by benzimidazoles

Xuan Zhan, Guiqi Gao, Yating Liang, Fengyi Li, Ke Liu, Weigang Fan, Sheng Zhang,* Man-Bo Li*, Org. Chem. Front. 2023, 10, 3353-3360. 

34. Using A Nitrogen-Centered Radical as A Selective Mediator in Electrochemical C(sp³)-H Amination

Yating Liang, Xuan Zhan, Fengyi Li, Hong Bi, Weigang Fan, Sheng Zhang,* Man-Bo Li,* Chem Catal. 2023, 3, 100582. 

2022

33. Electricity-Driven Redox-Neutral C(sp3)-H Amidation with N-alkoxyamide as Amidating Reagent

Fengyi Li, Yating Liang, Xuan Zhan, Sheng Zhang,* Man-Bo Li*, Org. Chem. Front. 2022, 9, 5571-5577. 

32. Progress in Convergent Paired Electrolysis

Sheng Zhang, Michael Findlater*, Chem.Eur. J. 2022, 28, e202201152. 

Prohttps://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6460107/v1n Convergent

PairedElectrolysis

31. Kolbe reaction goes reductive (News & Views) 

Sheng Zhang, Michael Findlater*, Nat. Synth. 2022, 1, 417-419. 

30. Catalyst-Dependent Direct and Deoxygenative Coupling of Alcohols by Convergent Paired Electrolysis

Sheng Zhang*, Jianxue Shi, Jingjing Li, Man-Bo Li*, Guigen Li, Michael Findlater*, CCS Chem. 2022, 4, 1938-1948. 

29. Electrochemical Synthesis of Cyclic Diaryl Phosphinamides via Intramolecular sp² C–H Phosphinamidation

 Wenchao Gao*, Luyi Zong, Weilong Wu, Ming Zhu, Wenmin Liu, Yiyang Zhao, Ting Li*, Sheng Zhang*, J. Org. Chem. 2022, 87, 547–555.

28. Regioselective umpolung addition of dicyanobenzene to α,β-unsaturated alkenes enabled by electrochemical reduction

Sheng Zhang,* Wenchao Gao, Jianxue Shi, Jingjing Li, Fengyi Li, Yating Liang, Xuan Zhan，Man-Bo Li*. Org. Chem. Front. 2022, 9, 1261-1266. 

2021

27. Cobalt catalyzed isomerization of alkenes

Sheng Zhang, Michael Findlater*, Synthesis, 2021, 53, 2787-2797. (Invited review, Postdoc work at TTU)  

26. Recent advances towards electrochemical transformations of α-keto acids

Jingjing Li, Sheng Zhang*, Kun Xu*, Chin. Chem. Lett. 2021, 32, 2729-2735. 

25. Cobalt- and Iron-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Alkene Hydrosilylations

Sheng Zhang, Jia-Shia Liao, Daniel K. Unruh, Guigen Li, Michael Findlater*, Org. Chem. Front. 2021, 8, 2174-2181. (Cover paper, Postdoc work at TTU) 

24. Regioselective Intramolecular sp2 C-H Amination: Direct vs. Mediated Electrooxidation

Jianxue Shi,   Jingjing Li,   Wenjing Zhao,   Mengru Cui,   Wanying Ni,   Lijun Li,   Wenmin Liu,   Kun Xu*, Sheng Zhang*, Org. Chem. Front. 2021, 8, 1581-1586. (Invited paper)

23. Electrochemical Arylation of Aldehydes, Ketones and Alcohols: from Cathodic Reduction to Convergent Paired Electrolysis

 Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Jingjing Li, Jianxue Shi, Kun Xu,* Wenchao Gao, Luyi Zong, Guigen Li, Michael Findlater*, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 7275-7282. ( ESI highly cited paper, Top 1%)

2020

22. Cobalt (II)-Catalyzed Stereoselective Olefin Isomerization: Facile Access to Acyclic Trisubstituted Alkenes

 Sheng Zhang, Deepika Bedi, Lu Cheng, Daniel K. Unruh, Guigen Li, Michael Findlater*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 8910-8917. (Postdoc work at TTU)

21. Electroreductive 4-Pyridylation of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Assistance of Ni(acac)₂

Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Xinru Li, Junqi Zhang, Kun Xu*, Guigen Li, Michael Findlater*. Org. Lett. 2020, 22, 3570-3575. (highlighted by Synfacts)

2019

20. Electrochemical fluoromethylation triggered lactonizations of alkenes under semi-aqueous conditions

  Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Jinjin Zhang, Junqi Zhang, Mengyu Xue and Kun Xu*, Chem. Sci. 2019, 10, 3181-3185. (Cover paper, ESI highly cited paper, Top 1%)

19. Organic Photoredox-Catalyzed Synthesis of δ-Fluoromethylated Alcohols and Amines via 1,5-Hydrogen-Transfer Radical Relay

Huiqiao Wang, Jinjin Zhang, Jianxue Shi, Fan Li, Sheng Zhang*, Kun Xu*, Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 5116-5120.  

18. Electrochemical Synthesis of trans-2,3-Disubstituted Aziridines via Oxidative Dehydrogenative Intramolecular C(sp3)–H Amination

Huiqiao Wang, Jianxue Shi, Jiajing Tan*, Wenting Xu, Sheng Zhang*, Kun Xu*, Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 9430-9433. 

 17. Substrate‐Dependent Electrochemical Dimethoxylation of Olefins

 Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Ping Wu, Pengjuan Gong, Rui Liu, Kun Xu*, Adv. Syn. Catal. 2019, 361, 485-489. 

2018

16. Electrochemical Formation of N‑Acyloxy Amidyl Radicals and Their Application: Regioselective Intramolecular Amination of sp² and sp³ C−H Bonds

Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Mengyu Xue, Ruike Zhang, Kun Xu*, and Chengchu Zeng*, Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 3443-3446. (ESI highly cited paper, Top 1%)

15. Scalable Electrochemical Dehydrogenative Lactonization of C(sp²/sp³)–H Bonds

 Sheng Zhang*, Lijun Li, Huiqiao Wang, Qian Li, Wenmin Liu, Kun Xu*, Chengchu Zeng*, Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 252-255. (ESI highly cited paper, Top 1%)

14. Electrosynthesis of Trisubstituted 2-Oxazolines via Dehydrogenative Cyclization of β-Amino Arylketones

Huiqiao Wang, Jinjin Zhang, Jiajing Tan*, Lilan Xin, Yaping Li, Sheng Zhang*, Kun Xu*, Org. Lett. 2018, 20, 2505-2508. 

13. Electrochemical Hofmann rearrangement mediated by NaBr: practical access to bioactive carbamates

Lijun Li, Mengyu Xue, Xin Yan, Wenmin Liu, Kun Xu* and Sheng Zhang*, Org. Biomol. Chem. 2018,16, 4615-4618.  (Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry 2018 HOT article collection)

12. Recent Progress in Copper Catalyzed Asymmetric Henry Reaction

 Sheng Zhang, Yanan Li, Youguo Xu, Zhiyong Wang*, Chin. Chem. Lett. 2018, 29, 873-883. (Invited review) 

2017

11. Dual roles of sulfonyl hydrazides in the catalyst-free sulfonylation of unsaturated benzylic alcohols in water

Kun Xu, Lijun Li, Wen Yan, Yuanyuan Wu, Zhiqiang Wang, Sheng Zhang*, Green Chem. 2017, 19, 4494-4497. (Cover paper)

10. An Ir-photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative Michael addition of glyoxylic acid acetal as a formyl equivalent

Sheng Zhang, Zhoumei Tan, Haonan Zhang, Junli. Liu, Wenting Xu, Kun Xu*, Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 11642-11645. (Cover paper) 

9. Electrocatalytic Dehydrogenative Esterification of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids: Access to Bioactive Lactones

Sheng Zhang*, Fei Lian, Mengyu Xue, Tengteng Qin, Lijun Li, Xu Zhang, Kun Xu*, Org. Lett. 2017, 19, 6622-6625. 

8. Photoredox catalysis enabled alkylation of alkenyl carboxylic acids with N-(acyloxy)phthalimide via dual decarboxylation

Kun Xu*, Zhoumei Tan, Haonan Zhang, Junli Liu, Sheng Zhang*, Zhiqiang Wang, Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 10719-10722. 

7. Asymmetri Aziridination of N‑Sulphonyl Ketimines with Unfunctionalized Ketones: A One-pot Approach to Multisubstituted Fused Aziridines

Sheng Zhang,* Lijun Li, Lilan Xin, Wenmin Liu, Kun Xu*, J. Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 2399-2406. 

6. Cobalt-Catalyzed Monoselective ortho-C–H Ethylation of Carboxamides with Triethylaluminum

Kun Xu*, Zhoumei Tan, Haonan Zhang, Sheng Zhang*, Synthesis, 2017, 49, 3931-3936. 

2016

5. Cobalt-Catalyzed Monoselective Ortho-C -H Functionalization of Carboxamides with Organoaluminum Reagent

 Huiqiao Wang,^† Sheng Zhang,^† Zhiqiang Wang, Minghui He, Kun Xu*, Org. Lett. 2016, 18, 5628-5631.( Highlighted by Synfacts )

Publications of PhD Career

4. Asymmetric Formal Aza-Diels-Alder Reaction of Trifluoromethyl Hemiaminals with Enones Catalyzed by Primary Amines. 

Sheng Zhang, Lide Cha, Lijun Li, Yanbin Hu, Yanan Li, Zhenggen. Zha, Zhiyong Wang*, J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81, 3177-3187. 

3. Highly Enantioselective Construction of Fluoroalkylated Quaternary Stereocenters via Organocatalytic Dehydrated Mannich Reaction of Unprotected Hemiaminals with Ketones.

Sheng Zhang, Lijun Li, Yanbin Hu, Yanan Li, Yu Yang, Zhenggen Zha, Zhiyong Wang*, Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 5036–5039.

 

2. Bifunctional Amino Sulfonohydrazide Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Cyclic Ketimines with Ketones: Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Construction of Quaternary Carbon Stereocenters.

Sheng Zhang, Lijun Li, Yanbin Hu, Zhenggen Zha, Zhiyong Wang*, Teck-Peng Loh*, Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 1050-1053. 

1. Enantioselective Copper(I/II)-Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Nitro Esters to β, γ-Unsaturated α-Ketoesters

Sheng Zhang, Kun Xu, Fengfeng Guo, Yanbin Hu, Zhenggen Zha, Zhiyong Wang*, Chem. Eur. J. 2014, 20, 979-982.