Advances in Programmed Alkene Functionalization
Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 9:15 am (China Standard Time) / Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 6:15 pm (PT).
About our Virtual Chemistry Lecture on Advances in Programmed Alkene Functionalization
Alkenes are among the most accessible and affordable building blocks in organic chemistry, derived from both petroleum and renewable sources. In this lecture, Prof. Engle will explore how his lab is transforming these simple molecules into complex, highly functionalized compounds through innovative catalytic strategies.
The Engle Lab focuses on developing new reactions that add functional groups to both carbon atoms of an alkene in a controlled, programmable way. This approach allows chemists to turn flat, simple starting materials into three-dimensional, stereochemically rich products – Ideal for building pharmaceuticals and other valuable compounds.
To achieve this, the team has pioneered a range of techniques, including the use of directing auxiliaries, native and transient directing groups, and non-directed methods. These strategies are compatible with various metals and redox systems, offering broad flexibility. Their work is guided by detailed mechanistic studies that reveal how the structure of the starting material, the metal catalyst, and supporting ligands all influence the outcome of a reaction. This insight fuels a continuous cycle of catalyst design and discovery.
Join us to learn how cutting-edge catalysis is reshaping the way chemists approach synthesis – and how these advances are opening new doors in both academic research and industrial applications.
About our Speaker
Prof. Keary Engle
Prof. Engle is currently the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at The Scripps Research Institute, a role he’s held since 2024. His academic path is as impressive as it is diverse. He earned his B.Sc. with Highest Distinction from the University of Michigan, majoring in Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics. Following a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Germany, he pursued dual doctoral degrees: a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Scripps Research under Prof. Jin-Quan Yu, and a D.Phil. in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford with Profs. Véronique Gouverneur and John M. Brown.
After completing his Ph.D., Prof. Engle continued his training as an NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow at Caltech, working with Nobel Laureate Robert H. Grubbs. He returned to Scripps in 2015 as an Assistant Professor, quickly rising through the ranks to become a Full Professor and now Dean. His research spans synthetic chemistry, catalysis, and biochemistry, and he is widely recognized for his leadership in both scientific innovation and academic mentorship.
About the Virtual Chemistry Lecture Series
Pharmaron’s monthly Virtual Lecture Series, launched in July 2020, provides our team and partners with online educational opportunities. World-class academic researchers are invited to present novel research related to synthetic and medicinal chemistry through this virtual forum. The lectures have been insightful and very well received by the audience and have contributed to cultivating a vibrant learning culture at Pharmaron.