Organic Chemistry Seminar: Professor Quentin Michaudel, Texas A&M University

About the Seminar:

Modern Organic Reactions for Precise (Macro)molecular Synthesis 

Progress in healthcare, clean energy, and sustainable materials is driven by the synthesis of molecules of ever-increasing complexity. Research in the Michaudel group centers on the invention of polymerization methods that allow for precise control over macromolecular architecture (i.e., monomer composition, molecular weight distribution, stereochemistry) as a means to tailor the properties, function, and recyclability of soft materials. In parallel, my group develops approaches to the functionalization of fine chemicals, including bioactive and drug-like molecules. Our projects are grounded in fundamental mechanistic considerations with an aim to develop synthetic tools applicable to small organic compounds and macromolecules alike. This presentation will cover our recent work in SuFEx click reactions, stereoselective olefin metathesis, and heterocyclic aryne chemistry. 

About the Speaker:

Quentin Michaudel grew up in La Rochelle, France. He received his B.Sc. (2008) and M.Sc. (2010) from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon. He earned his Ph.D. (2015) with Professor Phil S. Baran at The Scripps Research Institute, where he explored C–H functionalization methods and their applications to the synthesis of complex molecules. Quentin then accepted a postdoctoral position at Cornell University, where he developed photocontrolled polymerizations with Professor Brett P. Fors. In 2018, Quentin started his independent career as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University. His research group focuses on the development of synthetic methods and new organic materials. Quentin is the recipient of an NIH MIRA award (2020) and an NSF Career Award (2022). He was selected for the 2022 ACS PMSE Young Investigator Award and the 2022 ACS Organic Division Academic Young Investigator’s Symposium

Host: Yan Xia