YAN RESEARCH GROUP · SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Discovering New Chemistry Through Light, Materials & Chirality
We develop catalytic strategies at the intersection of organic synthesis, semiconductor materials, and spin chemistry—connecting fundamental mechanisms with sustainable chemical transformations.
OUR SCIENCE
Three interconnected research directions
We combine catalyst design, synthetic methodology, and mechanistic understanding to discover new chemical reactivity.
Semiconductor Photocatalysis
Designing perovskite and other semiconductor catalysts for selective organic transformations, bond activation, and sustainable synthesis.
Asymmetric Synthesis & Deracemization
Developing approaches to enantioenriched molecules through reversible chemistry, crystallization, and thermodynamic selection.
Spin-Controlled Chemistry
Investigating chirality-induced spin selectivity, spin-dependent charge transfer, and new routes to asymmetric catalysis.
OUR APPROACH
From materials design to chemical discovery
Design
Create and characterize functional catalytic materials.
Discover
Develop new transformations and synthetic strategies.
Understand
Reveal mechanisms and structure–reactivity relationships.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Featured discoveries
Highly enantioselective synthesis controlled by spin-exchange interaction
Exploring spin exchange as a strategy for controlling asymmetric chemical synthesis.
Chiral perovskite nanocrystals for asymmetric reactions
Using chiral semiconductor nanocrystals for photocatalytic synthesis of N–C axially chiral heterocycles.
Ni-doped perovskite for photocatalytic benzylic C–H amination
Developing semiconductor-based strategies for selective C–H functionalization.
Halide perovskite-induced XAT/HAT for allylic C–H amination
Expanding the synthetic capabilities of perovskite photocatalysts.
WORK WITH US
Join the Yan Research Group
We welcome inquiries from motivated prospective graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduates interested in catalysis, organic synthesis, functional materials, and spin chemistry. Opportunities depend on current openings and program admissions.
Connect with us
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry · San Diego State University · San Diego, California