Publications
*denotes corresponding author, †denotes equal contribution.
1. H. Cao*, K. Zhang†, V. Gorbachev†, T. Vornholt, K. Yu, D. Chen, T. R. Ward*, An asymmetric hydrogen atom transferase with an abiological thiophenol cofactor, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2025, 147, 41600-41609.
Prior to joining HKUST:
19. Q. Cheng, D. Bhattacharya, M. Haring, H. Cao, C. Mück-Lichtenfeld, A. Studer*, Skeletal editing of pyridines through atom pair swap from CN to CC, Nat. Chem., 2024, 16, 741-748.
18. H. Cao, Q. Cheng, A. Studer*, meta-Selective C–H functionalization of pyridines, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2023, e202302941.
17. H. Cao, D. Bhattacharya, Q. Cheng, A. Studer*, C–H functionalization of pyridines via oxazino pyridine intermediates: switching to para-selectivity under acidic conditions, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2023, 145, 15581–15588. (highlighted in Synfacts)
16. D. Kong, M. Zhang, Y. Zhang, Z. Yu, H. Cao*, J. Wu*, Photocatalyzed regioselective hydrosilylation for the divergent synthesis of geminal and vicinal borosilanes, Nat. Commun., 2023, 14, 2525. (highlighted by press release of X-Mol)
15. H. Yang, J. Xu, H. Cao, J. Wu*, D. Zhao*, Recycling of homogeneous photocatalysts by covalent organic framework membranes, Nat. Commun., 2023, 14, 2726.
14. H. Cao†, Q. Cheng†, A. Studer*, Radical and ionic meta-C–H functionalization of pyridines, quinolines, and isoquinolines, Science, 2022, 378, 779–785. (highlighted in Science, Synfacts, Angew. Chem.; highlighted by press release of C&EN, phys.org, WWU Münster, Idw-online, EurekAlert!, ScienceDaily, Mirage News, News Azi, Swift Telecast, Verve times, BusinessMayor, Lab Manager, Analytik News, Chem Europe)
13. H. Cao, D. Kong, L.-C. Yang, S. Chanmungkalakul, T. Liu, J. L. Piper, Z. Peng, L. Gao, X. Liu, J. Wu*, “Brønsted acid-enhanced direct hydrogen atom transfer photocatalysis for selective functionalization of unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds”, Nat. Synth. 2022, 1, 794–803. (highlighted in Nat. Synth., Synfacts; highlighted by press release of ScienceNet, ChemStation)
12. Q. Liu†, H. Cao†, W. Xu†, J. Li, Q. Zhou, W. Tao, H. Zhu, X. Cao, L. Zhong, J. Lu, X. Peng*, J. Wu*, Vacancy engineered polymeric carbon nitride nanosheets for enhanced photoredox catalytic efficiency, Cell. Rep. Phys. Sci., 2021, 2, 100491.
11. H. Cao, X. Tang, H. Tang, Y. Yuan, J. Wu*, Photoinduced intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer reactions in organic synthesis, Chem Catal., 2021, 1, 523–598.
10. H. Cao, Y. Kuang, X. Shi, K. L. Wong, B. B. Tan, J. M. C. Kwan, X. Liu, J. Wu*, Photoinduced site-selective alkenylation of alkanes and aldehydes with aryl alkenes, Nat. Commun., 2020, 11, 1956. (highlighted in Synfact of the Month, Org. Chem. Highlights; highlighted by press release of phys.org, Science Bulletin, NUS FoS, NUSRI, iCat, iSuzhou)
9. Y. Kuang, H. Cao, H. Tang, J. Chew, W. Chen, X. Shi, J. Wu*, Visible light driven deuteration of formyl C-H and hydridic C(sp3)-H bonds in feedstock chemicals and pharmaceutical molecules, Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 8912–8918.
8. L. Zheng, H. Xue, W. K. Wong, H. Cao, J. Wu*, S. A. Khan*, Cloud-inspired multiple scattering for light intensified photochemical flow reactors, Reac. Chem. Eng., 2020, 5, 1058–1063.
7. H. Cao, H. Jiang, H. Feng, J. M. C. Kwan, X. Liu, J. Wu*, Photo-induced decarboxylative Heck-type coupling of unactivated aliphatic acids and terminal alkenes in the absence of sacrificial hydrogen acceptors, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2018, 140, 16360–16367. (highlighted in Synfacts, Org. Process Res. Dev., Organic Chemistry Portal; highlighted by press release of X-Mol)
6. J. Hou, A. Ee, H. Cao, H.-W. Ong, J.-H. Xu, J. Wu*, Visible-light-mediated metal-free difunctionalization of alkenes with CO2 and silanes or C(sp3)-H alkanes, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2018, 57, 17220–17224.
5. H. Cao, J.-F. Zhang, Q. Zhou, S. Huang, X. Hong, X.-F. Hou*, Transformation of a Cp*-iridium carbene catalyst in water oxidation using Oxone as primary oxidant, Mol. cat., 2017, 434, 49–56.
4. Q. Zhou, J.-F. Zhang, H. Cao, R. Zhong, X.-F. Hou*, Synthesis of o‑alkenylated 2‑arylbenzoxazoles via Rh-catalyzed oxidative olefination of 2-arylbenzoxazoles: Scope investigation, structural features, and mechanism studies, J. Org. Chem., 2016, 81, 12169–12180.
3. H. Cao, X.-H. Zhu, D. Wang, Z. Sun, Y. Deng, X.-F. Hou*, D. Zhao, Selectivity enhancement in dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols through adjusting the micro-environment of metal complex confined in nanochannels: A promising strategy for tandem reactions, ACS catal., 2015, 5, 27–33.
2. H. Cao, L.-H. Cai, C.-X. Wang, X.-H. Zhu, Z.-M. Li, X.-F. Hou*, Ligand effect in racemization and dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols: Mechanism on cymene ruthenium complexes, J. Organomet. Chem., 2015, 775, 60–66.
1. J.-F. Zhang, M. Wang, X.-Q. Guo, S. Liu,H. Cao, Y.-L. Li, Q. Zhou, X.-F. Hou*, Activity and recyclability improvement through adjusting the tethering strategy for Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl chlorides, Catal. Lett. 2015, 145, 2001-2009.