Nankai University, China
Author Profile
Scopus
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Shou-Fei Zhu (朱守非) embarked on his academic journey in chemistry at Nankai University, where he completed his B.Sc. in 2000. Demonstrating early promise, he continued his doctoral studies at the same institution under the mentorship of Prof. Qi-Lin Zhou, a renowned figure in the field of organic chemistry. His Ph.D., earned in 2005, laid a solid foundation in catalytic organic synthesis—an area that would define his scientific career. In pursuit of international exposure and excellence, he undertook a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Tokyo (2012–2013), where he worked with Prof. Eiichi Nakamura, further enriching his expertise in synthetic and organometallic chemistry.
🧪 Professional Endeavors
Prof. Zhu’s professional trajectory at Nankai University reflects a steady ascent through academic ranks, marked by scholarly distinction and scientific innovation. Starting as a Lecturer in 2005, he became an Associate Professor in 2008, and achieved the rank of Full Professor by 2013. He is affiliated with the Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, and serves at the College of Chemistry, Nankai University.
In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, he holds several influential administrative and academic roles, including membership on the Academic Committee of Nankai University and Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS).
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Zhu has made seminal contributions to the field of catalytic organic synthetic chemistry, with an emphasis on asymmetric catalysis, organoboron chemistry, and spin-responsive catalysis:
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💡 He proposed the concept of “chiral proton shuttle catalyst”, revolutionizing metal-catalyzed asymmetric proton transfer reactions.
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🧱 He discovered novel B–H bond insertion reactions, providing a powerful method for the synthesis of organoboron compounds—important intermediates in pharmaceuticals and materials science.
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🧲 He pioneered “spin-responsive catalysis”, exploring open-shell iron catalysts and revealing unique reactivity patterns.
Prof. Zhu has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles, accumulating over 10,000 citations and achieving an H-index of 64. His publications appear in prestigious journals such as Nature Catalysis, JACS, Angewandte Chemie, Nature Communications, and Science. Furthermore, he has authored five academic book chapters, holds 17 Chinese patents, and has applied for four international patents, all successfully commercialized.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Prof. Zhu’s excellence has been acknowledged with numerous prestigious awards, including:
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🥇 2022 XPLORER PRIZE – One of China’s most significant recognitions for young scientists.
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🧬 2019 National Natural Science Award (First-Rank, R3) – For his outstanding contributions to organic synthesis.
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🧑🏫 2023 National Teaching Achievement Award (Second Rank) – Recognizing his commitment to academic excellence and mentorship.
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🌍 2019 Asian Rising Stars Lectureship Award – From the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies.
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🧪 2016 National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars – A testament to his leadership in chemical research.
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🏅 Multiple “131 Creative Talent” titles from Tianjin, as well as several national and regional awards for youth innovation and leadership.
In 2025, he was named a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society (FCCS), the society’s highest professional honor.
🌐 Impact and Influence
Prof. Zhu is not just a prolific scientist but also a leader in the global chemistry community. He serves as:
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Associate Editor of ACS Catalysis and Chemical Research in Chinese Universities.
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Editorial Board Member of Acta Chimica Sinica.
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Advisory Board Member of ACS Catalysis.
His over 70 invited lectures across international conferences have inspired audiences worldwide, and his research group homepage serves as a hub for knowledge dissemination and collaboration.
Beyond academia, Prof. Zhu’s innovations have practical impact through commercialized patents in pharmaceuticals and materials industries.
🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions
With a stellar track record of scientific creativity, mentorship, and leadership, Prof. Zhu stands as a torchbearer for the next generation of chemists. His group continues to push the boundaries of green, sustainable catalysis, especially with iron- and cobalt-based systems, offering cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional precious metal catalysts.
Looking forward, Prof. Zhu’s work is expected to shape the future of enantioselective synthesis, organoboron chemistry, and radical catalysis. As a mentor, he continues to guide young scientists, empowering them to pursue cutting-edge research with real-world relevance.
Notable Publications
📘 Iron-Catalyzed Transfer Hydroalumination of Alkynes
Author: W., Li, Wentao, M., Guan, Muhan, P., He, Peng, M., Huang, Mingyao, S., Zhu, Shoufei
Journal: American chemical Society
Year: 2025
Citation: 1
📘 Spin Crossover and Its Application in Organometallic Catalysis: Concepts and Recent Progress
Author: P., He, Peng, S., Zhu, Shoufei
Journal: Chemistry A European Journal
Year: 2024
Citations: 2
📘Enantioselective α-Boryl Carbene Transformations
Author: M., Huang, Mingyao, S., Zhu, Shoufei
Journal: Syynlet,
Year: 2024