Wei听Zhang

  • Professor
  • Chair
  • CHEMISTRY
Address

Office: Ekeley Science M343
Lab: Ekeley Science M376, M386
Lab Phone: 303-492-8954
Fax: 303-492-5894
听

Education

Ph.D.:听University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005
Postdoctorate:听Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006-2008

Areas of Expertise

Dynamic covalent chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, self-assembly, molecular cages/macrocycles, porous materials, carbon capture, energy storage, sustainable polymers

Awards and Honors

  • 2024: College Scholar Award, University of 欧美口爆视频听
  • 2023: National Academy of Inventors Senior Member Elected听
  • 2022: American Chemical Society 欧美口爆视频 Section Award听
  • 2015: Guest Professor at ETH Z眉rich, Switzerland听
  • 2013: Provost鈥檚 Faculty Achievement Award听
  • 2013: Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow听
  • 2013: CAPA Distinguished Junior Faculty Award听
  • 2012: ACS PMSE Young Investigator听
  • 2012: 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award听
  • 2011: National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award听
  • 2011: Thieme Chemistry Journal Award听
  • 2011: New Inventor of the Year, University of 欧美口爆视频听
  • 2009: CRCW Junior Faculty Development Award, University of 欧美口爆视频

The research programs in Zhang Group are focused on the development of novel organic functional materials and their composites, aimed at addressing key challenges in environmental and energy applications. Central to our research is the exploration of innovative synthetic methodologies, particularly in dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC), which enable efficient, high-yield synthesis and pave the way toward more sustainable and high-performance materials.听

DYNAMIC COVALET CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Our group has been pioneering the development and application of dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC)--including alkyne metathesis with related catalyst development, dynamic imine chemistry, dynamic nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), and dynamic spiroborate chemistry. These reactions are powerful tools not only for constructing well-defined ordered molecular and polymeric architectures, but also for synthesizing functional materials with adaptive properties and controlled reversibility. The development of new dynamic covalent chemical reactions has become critical, not only to enhance our synthetic capabilities but also to expand the range of materials accessible through controlled assembly. By continuously refining the dynamic reactions and their catalysts, we aim to push the boundaries of DCvC, offering a robust foundation for the next generation of functional materials.听

SHAPE-PERSISTENT 2D AND 3D MOLE欧美口爆视频LAR ARCHITECTURES

Shape-persistent molecular architectures in both two and three dimensions are a key component in our research, particularly for applications in molecular separation and the controlled growth of nanoparticles (NPs). Utilizing DCvC, our group has achieved high yields of 2D macrocycles and 3D cages by leveraging the thermodynamic favorability of specific target products. This approach, which contrasts with conventional kinetic-controlled methods, allows us to construct rigid, well-defined structures from simple building blocks. We envision that these structures open new possibilities in nanotechnology, where precision and predictability are key in applications ranging from catalysis to nanocomposite formation.

STRUCTURALLY ORDERED POLYMERIC ARCHITECTURES听

Our research in structurally ordered polymers includes significant advancements in 2D or 3D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and ionic covalent organic frameworks (ICOFs). These frameworks, noted for their chemical and thermal stability, present vast potential for applications in gas separation, catalysis, ion transportation and beyond. Our efforts also extend to helical covalent polymers, where we investigate their unique chiral properties and stability under dynamic conditions. By focusing on well-ordered polymeric architectures, we aim to contribute to the development of solution-processable and structurally ordered materials, overcoming current limitations in the field of porous polymers and offering enhanced functionalities.听

DYNAMIC NETWORK POLYMERS

We have also been working on the development of dynamic covalent adaptable networks (CANs) to create polymers that exhibit malleability, rehealability, and closed-loop recyclability, highlighting their great potential for sustainable applications. Our recent work has led to the synthesis of self-healing and easily reprocessable network polymers, making them versatile for diverse applications and enabling efficient recycling processes. By integrating dynamic covalent bonds into the polymer backbone and crosslinks, we can achieve materials that retain robust mechanical properties while allowing recyclability鈥攁 critical advancement for the sustainable material field.

  • Lei, Z.; Wang, Z.; Jiang, H.; Cahn, J. R.; Chen, H.; Huang, S.; Jin, Y.; Wang, X.; Yu, K.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淒ual-factor Controlled Dynamic Precursors Enable On-demand Thermoset Degradation and Recycling鈥 Adv. Mater. 2024, 36, in press.听
  • Kim, Y.*; Li, C.; Huang, J.; Yuan, Y.; Tian, Y.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淚onic Covalent Organic Framework Solid-State Electrolytes鈥 Adv. Mater. 2024, 36, 2407761.
  • Hu, Y.; Sengupta, B.; Long, H.; Wayment, L. J.; Ciora, R.; Jin, Y.; Wu, J.; Lei, Z.; Friedman, K.; Chen, H.; Yu, M.*; Zhang, W.* 鈥淢olecular Recognition with Resolution below 0.2 脜 via Thermo-regulatory Oscillations in Covalent Organic Frameworks鈥, Science 2024, 384, 1441-1447.听
  • Wayment, L. J.; Huang, S.; Chen, H.; Lei, Z.; Ley, A.; Lee, S.-H.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淚onic Covalent Organic Frameworks Consisting of Tetraborate Nodes and Flexible Linkers鈥 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202410816.听
  • Huang, S.; Teat, S. J.; Wayment, L. J.; Settineri, N. S.; Chen, H.; Lei, Z.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淪ingle-Crystal Cage Framework with High Selectivity and Reversibility in Fullerene Binding鈥 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202409432.听
  • Lei, Z.; Chen, H.; Huang, S.; Wayment, L. J.; Xu, Q.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淣ew Advances in Covalent Network Polymers via Dynamic Covalent Chemistry鈥 Chem. Rev. 2024, 124, 7829-7906. (Front Cover, invited).听
  • Wayment, L. J.; Teat, S. J.; Huang, S.; Chen, H.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淒ynamic Entwined Topology in Helical Covalent Polymer Dictated by Competing Supramolecular Interactions鈥 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202403599.
  • Xu, Q.; Wang, X.; Huang, S.; Hu, Y.; Teat, S. J.; Settineri, N. S.; Chen, H.; Wayment, L. J.; Jin, Y.; Sharma, S.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淒ynamic Covalent Self-sorting in Molecular and Polymeric Architectures Enabled by Spiroborate Bond Exchange鈥 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e2023042.听
  • Chen, H.; Hu, Y.; Luo, C.; Lei, Z.; Huang, S.; Jin, Y.; Yu, K.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淪piroborate-linked Ionic Covalent Adaptable Networks with Rapid-reprocessability and Closed-loop Recyclability鈥 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 9112-9117.
  • Huang, S.; Choi, J. Y.; Xu, Q. ; Jin, Y. ; Park, J.* ; Zhang, W.* 鈥淐arbazolylene-Ethynylene Macrocycle based Conductive Covalent Organic Frameworks鈥 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e2023035.
  • Wayment, L. J.; Wang, X.; Huang, S.; McCoy M. S.; Chen, H.; Hu, Y.; Jin, Y.; Sharma, S.; Zhang, W.* 鈥3D Covalent Organic Framework as a Metastable Intermediate in the Formation of a Double-stranded Helical Covalent Polymer鈥 J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 15547鈥15552.
  • Lei, Z.; Wayment, L.; Cahn, J. R.; Chen, H.; Huang, S.; Jin, Y.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淐yanurate-linked Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabled by Dynamic Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution鈥 J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 39, 17737鈥17742.
  • Lei, Z.; Chen, H.; Luo, C.; Rong, Y.; Hu, Y.; Jin, Y.; Long, R.; Yu, K.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淩ecyclable and Malleable Thermosets Enabled by Activating Dormant Dynamic Linkages鈥 Nat. Chem. 2022, 14, 1399-1404.
  • Hu, Y.; Teat, S. J.; Gong, W.; Zhou, Z.; Jin, Y.; Chen, H.; Wu, J.; Cui, Y.; Jiang, T.; Cheng, X.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淪ingle-Crystal Mechanically Entwined Helical Covalent Polymer鈥 Nat. Chem. 2021, 13, 660-665.
  • Ge, Y.; Huang, S.; Hu, Y.; Zhang, L.; He, L.; Krajewski, S.; Ortiz, M.; Jin, Y.; Zhang, W.* 鈥淗ighly Active Multidentate Molybdenum-carbyne Complexes Catalyzing Alkyne Metathesis under Open Air Condition鈥 Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 1136.
  • Jin, Y.; Wang, Q.; Taynton, P.; Zhang, W. Dynamic Covalent Chemistry Approach Towards 2-D Macrocycles, 3-D Molecular Cages, and Polymers.听Acc. Chem. Res.听2014,听47, 1575-1586.
  • Heat or Water Driven Malleability in a Highly-Recyclable Covalent Network Polymer. Taynton, P.; Yu, K.; Shoemaker, R.; Jin, Y.; Qi, H. J.; Zhang, W.听Adv. Mater.听2014,听26, 3938-3942.
  • Template Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles with an Organic Molecular Cage. McCaffrey, R.; Long, H.; Jin, Y.; Sanders, A.; Park, W.; Zhang, W.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2014,听136, 1782-1785.
  • Recent Advances in Dynamic Covalent Chemistry. Jin, Y.; Yu, C.; Denman, R. J.; Zhang, W.听Chem. Soc. Rev.听2013,听42, 6634-6654.
  • Solution Processable Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) through Acyclic Enediyne Metathesis Polymerization. Hu, K.; Yang, H.; Zhang, W.; Qin, Y.听Chem. Sci.听2013,听4, 3649-3653.
  • Imine-linked Porous Polymer Frameworks with High Small Gas (H2, CO2, CH4, C2H2) Uptake and CO2/N2听Selectivity. Zhu, Y.; Long, H.; Zhang, W.听Chem. Mater.听2013,听25, 1630-1635.
  • Highly Active Multidentate Alkyne Metathesis Catalysts: Ligand-activity Relationship and Their Applications in Efficient Synthesis of Porphyrin-based Aryleneethynylene Polymers. Jyothish, K.; Wang, Q.; Zhang, W.听Adv. Synth. Catal.听2012,听354, 2073-2078.
  • Microwave-Assisted Syntheses of Highly CO2-Selective Organic Cage Frameworks (OCFs). Jin, Y.; Voss, B. A.; McCaffrey, R.; Baggett, C. T.; Noble, R. D.; Zhang, W.听Chem. Sci.听2012,听3, 874-877.
  • A Highly C70-Selective Shape-Persistent Rectangular Prism Constructed Through One-Step Alkyne Metathesis. Zhang, C.-X.; Wang, Q.; Long, H.; Zhang, W.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2011,听133, 20995-21001.
  • Towards Highly Active and Robust Alkyne Metathesis Catalysts: Recent Developments in Catalyst Design. Jyothish, K.; Zhang, W.听Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.听2011,听50, 8478-8480.
  • Highly CO2-Selective Organic Molecular Cages: What Determines the CO2听Selectivity. Jin, Y.; Voss, B. A.; Jin, A.; Long, H.; Noble, R. D.; Zhang, W.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2011,听133, 6650-6658.
  • Introducing Podand Motif to Alkyne Metathesis Catalyst Design: A Highly Active Multidentate Mo(VI) Catalyst Resisting Alkyne Polymerization. Jyothish, K.; Zhang, W.听Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.听2011,听50, 3435-3438.
  • Shape-Persistent Arylenevinylene Macrocycles (AVMs) Prepared via Acyclic Diene Metathesis Macrocyclization (ADMAC). Jin, Y.; Zhang, A.; Huang, Y.; Zhang, W.听Chem. Commun.听2010,听46, 8258-8260.
  • A Shape-Persistent Organic Molecular Cage with High Selectivity in Adsorption of CO2听over N2. Jin, Y.; Voss, B.; Noble, R. D.; Zhang, W.听Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.听2010,听49, 6348-6351.
  • Modular Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes. Zhang, W.; Sprafke, J. K.; Ma, M.; Tsui, E. Y.; Sydlik, S. A; Rutledge, G. C; Swager, T. M.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2009,听131, 8446.
  • Functionalization of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Fullerenes via a Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate-4-Dimethylaminopyridine Zwitterion Approach. Zhang, W.; Swager, T. M.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2007,听129, 7714.
  • Shape-Persistent Macrocycles: Structures and Synthetic Approaches from Arylene and Ethynylene Building Blocks. Zhang, W.; Moore, J. S.听Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.听2006,听45,听4416.
  • Reaction Pathways Leading to Arylene Ethynylene Macrocycles via Alkyne Metathesis. Zhang, W.; Moore, J. S.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2005,听127, 11863.
  • Arylene Ethynylene Macrocycles Prepared by Precipitation-Driven Alkyne Metathesis. Zhang, W.; Moore, J. S.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2004,听126, 12796.
  • Highly Active Trialkoxymolybdenum(VI) Alkylidyne Catalysts Synthesized by a Reductive Recycle Strategy. Zhang, W.; Kraft, S.; Moore, J. S.听J. Am. Chem. Soc.听2004,听126, 329.