Professor Zhangjie Shi from Fudan University, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars owner, and National "Ten Thousand Talents Program" leading talents, hold the lecture ‘The Fundamentals of Modern Synthesis Chemistry’ in Cuiying Honors College. Students from 2020 ‘strengthening basic disciplines plan’, chemistry class of 2021 Cuiying Honors College and part of teachers and students out of the school attended the discipline.

With the purpose of developing top students, based on the experience of holding summer school for many years, Cuiying Honors College invites high level teacher domestic and overseas to provide more reasonable and high efficiency lectures with innovation, advancing and challenging, which makes summer school meaningful to help students overcoming their shortcomings, broaden their horizon and build foundations firmly. ‘The Fundamentals of Modern Synthesis Chemistry’ is one of the classic lectures having been held for many years with the support of Cuiying Honors College and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in summer class.

‘The Fundamentals of Modern Synthesis Chemistry’ is based on organometallic chemistry, lecturing common synthesis methodology, strategy and related coordination chemistry, configuration analysis in modern synthesis. Professor Shi introduced the concept of 6C (Commitment Comprehension Compassion Creativity Communication Cooperation) and 3+1W (What Why How Who), then provided the basic requirements of chemical research which is necessary to follow in the future research. Later, Professor Shi lectured some modern synthesis methodology and fundamentals like MO theory, steric electron effect, such as configuration analysis of alkane, alkene, and cycloalkane. Combined with relevant practice, students learned these theories better. Moreover, Professor Shi elucidated the mechanism of organometallic reaction such as oxidative addition, reductive elimination, and pericyclic reaction especially DA reaction.

Professor Shi triggered students’ great interest and deep thinking in synthesis chemistry by his inspiring and interactive teaching style. Students learned fundamental and classic modern synthesis methodology clearly. Peiying Sun, who is going to enter chemistry class of 2021 Cuiying Honors College, said that what’s impressing is the saying ‘Be a person first, then be an academic’. Professor Shi not only gave students help from the aspect of subject, but also taught students to be a teenager with ‘a red heart’, to be always a chemist, proceeding, exploring with the pure heart of the love of science.

“‘The Fundamentals of Modern Synthesis Chemistry’ is a little bit challenging to undergraduate students, but we learned quickly from Professor Shi from his humorous lecture. Although the summer school is over, the knowledge Professor Shi taught will be used in research in future.” Student Daiyu Luan said.

“We are very lucky to meet Professor Shi!” said Student Song bin: “Through this challenging discipline, I have changed my way of thinking and learned more knowledge, we need to work hard in the future.”

(Translated by Ziqin Ji, proofread by Shengyi Jia)