World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Chemistry
Canada
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Chemistry

D-Index
127
Citations
63744
World Ranking
372
National Ranking
8

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Chemistry in Canada Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Chemistry in Canada Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Chemistry in Canada Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Chemistry in Canada Leader Award
  • 2016 - Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences
  • 2015 - Fellow of the American Chemical Society
  • 2012 - Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • 2012 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science

Overview

Chao-Jun Li is affiliated with McGill University in Canada. Their research primarily falls within the field of Chemistry, with a significant emphasis on Organic Chemistry. Additional subfields of study include Materials Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, and Molecular Biology.

The scientist's published work covers diverse topics with a focus on catalytic and synthetic methodologies. Key topics of their research include:

  • Catalytic C-H Functionalization Methods
  • Radical Photochemical Reactions
  • Catalytic Cross-Coupling Reactions
  • Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
  • Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Catalysis
  • Cyclopropane Reaction Mechanisms
  • Oxidative Organic Chemistry Reactions

Chao-Jun Li has a broad publication record in several scientific journals. The most frequent venues for their work are:

  • Chemical Science
  • Green Chemistry
  • Angewandte Chemie International Edition
  • Angewandte Chemie
  • Chemical Communications

Recent papers by Chao-Jun Li include the following:

  • Transformations of Less-Activated Phenols and Phenol Derivatives via C-O Cleavage, 2020, Chemical Reviews
  • Cross-dehydrogenative coupling: a sustainable reaction for C-C bond formations, 2021, Green Chemistry
  • Desulfonylation via Radical Process: Recent Developments in Organic Synthesis, 2021, Chemical Reviews
  • Perspectives on green synthesis and catalysis, 2020, Green Synthesis and Catalysis
  • A cross-dehydrogenative C(sp3)−H heteroarylation via photo-induced catalytic chlorine radical generation, 2021, Nature Communications

The scientist frequently collaborates with several co-authors, including:

  • Huiying Zeng
  • Zihang Qiu
  • Jianbin Li
  • Dawei Cao
  • Lida Tan

Chao-Jun Li has been recognized with a number of fellowships, reflecting their participation in scientific communities. These include fellowships from:

  • The World Academy of Sciences (2016)
  • The American Chemical Society (2015)
  • The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (2012)
  • The Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science (2012)

Best Publications

  • Cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC): exploring C-C bond formations beyond functional group transformations.

    Chao-Jun Li

  • Organic Reactions in Aqueous Media with a Focus on Carbon−Carbon Bond Formations: A Decade Update

    Chao-Jun Li

  • The Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of C sp 3H Bonds: A Versatile Strategy for CC Bond Formations

    Simon A. Girard;Thomas Knauber;Chao-Jun Li

  • Organic reactions in aqueous media

    Chao-Jun Li;Tak-Hang Chan

  • Organic reactions in aqueous media - with a focus on carbon-carbon bond formation

    Chao Jun. Li

  • Organic chemistry in water

    Chao-Jun Li;Chao-Jun Li;Liang Chen

  • Green chemistry oriented organic synthesis in water

    Marc-Olivier Simon;Chao-Jun Li

  • Green chemistry for chemical synthesis

    Chao-Jun Li;Barry M. Trost

  • A highly efficient three-component coupling of aldehyde, alkyne, and amines via C-H activation catalyzed by gold in water

    Chunmei Wei;Chao-Jun Li

  • CuBr-catalyzed efficient alkynylation of sp3 C-H bonds adjacent to a nitrogen atom.

    Zhiping Li;Chao-Jun Li

  • Reactions of C−H Bonds in Water

    Clara I Herrerías;Xiaoquan Yao;Zhiping Li;Chao-Jun Li

  • Organic syntheses using indium-mediated and catalyzed reactions in aqueous media

    Chao-Jun Li;Tak-Hang Chan

  • Aqueous Barbier-Grignard type reaction: Scope, mechanism, and synthetic applications

    Chao-Jun Li

  • Cu-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling: A versatile strategy for C–C bond formations via the oxidative activation of sp3 C–H bonds

    Zhiping Li;D. Scott Bohle;Chao-Jun Li

  • Highly Efficient Copper-Catalyzed Nitro-Mannich Type Reaction: Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling between sp3 C−H Bond and sp3 C−H Bond

    Zhiping Li;Chao-Jun Li

  • CuBr-catalyzed direct indolation of tetrahydroisoquinolines via cross-dehydrogenative coupling between sp3 C-H and sp2 C-H bonds.

    Zhiping Li;Chao-Jun Li

  • Enantioselective Direct-Addition of Terminal Alkynes to Imines Catalyzed by Copper(I)pybox Complex in Water and in Toluene

    Chunmei Wei;Chao-Jun Li

  • The First Silver-Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling of Aldehyde, Alkyne, and Amine

    Chunmei Wei;Zigang Li;Chao-Jun Li

  • DDQ-mediated direct cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) between benzyl ethers and simple ketones.

    Yuhua Zhang;Chao-Jun Li

  • The Development of Catalytic Nucleophilic Additions of Terminal Alkynes in Water

    Chao-Jun Li

Frequent Co-Authors

Zhiping Li
Zhiping Li Renmin University of China
Lei Zhou
Lei Zhou Sun Yat-sen University
Tak Hang Chan
Tak Hang Chan McGill University
Barry M. Trost
Barry M. Trost Stanford University
Guo-Jun Deng
Guo-Jun Deng Xiangtan University
Russell H. Schmehl
Russell H. Schmehl Tulane University
Joel T. Mague
Joel T. Mague Tulane University
Rajender S. Varma
Rajender S. Varma Environmental Protection Agency
Vijay T. John
Vijay T. John Tulane University
Paul T. Anastas
Paul T. Anastas Yale University

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Chemistry in the USA opens doors to various related online degrees that complement this core science. Many students enhance their expertise with specialized certifications, such as a paralegal certificate, which can be valuable in legal aspects of pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Careers stemming from a chemistry background often lead to roles in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. For example, becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative frequently requires knowledge of both science and communication, and a drug rep salary reflects the potential rewards of blending these skills.

Further clinical roles include pharmacists, who utilize their deep understanding of chemistry to ensure safe medication use. Those interested can explore how to become a pharmacist and the associated pharmacist salary prospects, which generally indicate strong job stability and growth.

Another niche career connected to chemistry is that of an autopsy technician, where chemical knowledge contributes to forensic investigations. Understanding the autopsy technician salary and job outlook helps students gauge this career’s potential.

Best Scientists Citing Chao-Jun Li

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles