Dr. Hongjian Qin | Sustainable and Green Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Research Director, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, China

Dr. Hongjian Qin is a passionate researcher specializing in sustainable chemistry and organic synthesis. He is currently affiliated with the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Qin holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry, where he has demonstrated remarkable expertise in process development of drug substances and medicinal administration. His research focuses on improving the sustainability of chemical processes, particularly in the context of drug development. With over three years of hands-on experience, Dr. Qin has contributed to high-impact research aimed at tackling environmental challenges in chemical synthesis. His work bridges the gap between green chemistry and pharmaceutical processes, positioning him as a promising figure in both academic and industry-driven research.

Profile

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  Strengths for the Award

             Strong Academic Background

• • Hongjian Qin holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry with a specialization in sustainable chemistry, particularly focusing on the process development of drug substances and medicinal administration. The recognition as an “Excellent Graduate student” from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences further highlights his academic excellence.

1. Research Experience:
   • Dr. Qin has over three years of progressive research experience, contributing significantly to the field of sustainable chemistry, with an emphasis on drug development. His work spans important topics such as improved synthesis methods for pharmaceutical intermediates, process optimization, and green chemistry.
2. Collaborative and High-Impact Publications:
   • He has co-authored numerous publications in reputable journals, contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis. Notably, articles like “Direct esterification of amides by the dimethylsulfate-mediated activation of amide C–N bonds” and “An Alternative Approach to Synthesize Sildenafil” indicate that his work addresses critical challenges in both process efficiency and sustainability.
   • These papers are contributing to novel drug development strategies and offer potential solutions for large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing.
3. Contribution to Drug Development and Sustainability:
   • His research is closely aligned with addressing key environmental challenges and improving sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry. His focus on improving the synthesis of complex molecules like tecovirimat, sildenafil, and telmisartan positions him at the forefront of green chemistry in drug development.
4. Innovative Approach to Chemical Synthesis:
   • Dr. Qin has demonstrated expertise in applying innovative catalytic processes, such as copper-catalyzed cyclization, iron-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, and iodine-catalyzed aromatization reactions, to streamline synthetic pathways. His research offers valuable insights for efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly drug synthesis.

Areas for Improvement

1. Wider Research Impact and Citations:
   • While Dr. Qin’s publications are highly relevant and promising, some papers have low citation counts, indicating a potential opportunity for greater visibility. More engagement in high-visibility platforms, collaborations with larger research groups, and increased dissemination of findings could amplify the impact of his work.
2. Development of Leadership Roles:
   • As Dr. Qin is still early in his career, taking on more leadership roles, such as leading independent research projects or mentoring junior researchers, would further solidify his standing as a leader in his field.
3. Broader International Collaboration:
   • Expanding his network and collaboration opportunities beyond his immediate research community, especially in industry, could provide avenues for translating his research into practical applications.

Education 

Dr. Hongjian Qin holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Organic Chemistry, awarded in June 2024 from the Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, China. He also completed a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Organic Chemistry (Process Development of Drug Substances) at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, in June 2006. Prior to his master’s, Dr. Qin earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Organic Chemistry, also from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, in June 2003. Throughout his education, Dr. Qin has focused on sustainable chemistry, particularly in the development of eco-friendly processes in drug synthesis

 

Research Focus 

Dr. Hongjian Qin’s research primarily focuses on sustainable chemistry, with particular emphasis on improving the environmental footprint of drug development processes. His expertise lies in organic synthesis, process optimization, and green chemistry. He has worked on the development of eco-friendly synthetic pathways for key pharmaceutical intermediates, striving to reduce waste, energy consumption, and the use of toxic reagents. His work includes the application of innovative catalytic processes, such as copper-catalyzed cyclization and iodine-catalyzed reactions, to streamline drug synthesis. Additionally, Dr. Qin has contributed to the study of impurity profiles in drug substances, such as tecovirimat, and has investigated new methods for large-scale, efficient production of pharmaceutical compounds. His research aims to bridge the gap between green chemistry principles and industrial applications, with the goal of creating more sustainable, cost-effective methods for producing pharmaceuticals while minimizing environmental impact.

Publications 

1. “Direct esterification of amides by the dimethylsulfate-mediated activation of amide C–N bonds” 🧪💡
2. “An Alternative Approach to Synthesize Sildenafil via Improved Copper-Catalyzed Cyclization” 💊🔬
3. “Impurity study of tecovirimat” 🔬📚
4. “Improved and ligand-free copper-catalyzed cyclization for an efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles from o-bromoarylamine and nitriles” 🔧⚙️
5. “Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkyl Grignard Reagents with Alkenyl Carbonate” 🧲⚗️
6. “A review of the synthetic strategies toward the antiviral drug tecovirimat” 📖💊
7. “An Improved Iodine-Catalyzed Aromatization Reaction and Its Application in the Synthesis of a Key Intermediate of Cannabidiol” 💡🌿
8. “Optimized Synthesis of the Key Intermediate of Telmisartan via the Cyclization of 2-Bromoarylamine with n-Butyronitrile” 💊🧪
9. “Efficient Large-Scale Process for Tecovirimat via Reactive Distillation for the Preparation of Cycloheptatriene” 🔬⚙️
10. “An efficient synthesis of the last step key intermediate for telmisartan via Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization” 🔬💡

Conclusion

Dr. Hongjian Qin is an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” due to his innovative contributions to the field of sustainable chemistry and drug development. His dedication to advancing environmentally friendly synthetic methods and his ability to solve complex challenges in pharmaceutical chemistry make him a strong contender. With a few improvements in visibility and leadership, Dr. Qin’s research could have an even broader influence on both academia and industry. His combination of academic excellence, innovative research, and commitment to sustainability positions him as a leading researcher in his field.