From November 5 to 6, 2016, the 6^th Lingnan Organic Chemistry Forum, organized by the Guangdong Chemical Society and Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), was held at SUSTech under the theme of “organic chemistry”. The forum brought together academic leaders and young scholars from 30 universities and research institutes in eight domestic provinces and municipalities. Guo Yurong, Council Chairperson of University Council, SUSTech, attended and addressed the opening ceremony. Prof. Zhang Xumu, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, SUSTech and Chairman of this forum, presided over the opening ceremony.

With focus on the latest research findings, trends, hotspots and other scientific issues of organic chemistry, the forum aims to create a high-end platform for Lingnan’s organic chemistry researchers to discuss the latest academic ideas and academic progress in the organic field.

On behalf of SUSTech, Guo welcomed the experts and academic leaders, and introduced the development of SUSTech and the Department of Chemistry in recent years. “I sincerely expect you to offer advice on the construction and development of SUSTech, especially the disciplinary construction and planning of chemistry,” said her.

Zhang Lihe, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), former Director of the Department of Chemistry, National Natural Science Foundation of China and a professor at Peking University, introduced the new fields and latest progress of chemical biology. Prof. Tong Zhenhe, a CAS member and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, introduced the application of organic photochemistry in carbon-hydrogen activation; Tang Yong, a CAS member and Deputy Director of the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, introduced the industrial application of titanium, nickel and other new catalysts in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and polyethylene oil, his research findings are above the international standards of new materials research, and have made a remarkable contribution. Song Baoan, a CAS member from Guizhou University and Xi Zhen, a professor at Nankai University introduced major scientific issues in the pesticide field. Feng Xiaoming, a CAS member from Sichuan University; Henry Wong, a CAS member from the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Jiang Biao, a professor at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, CAS; as well as Prof. Yang Zhen and Prof. Zhai Hongbin from Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School introduced new reactions (including name reaction), new synthetic strategies, as well as the high-efficiency synthesis of major drugs and natural compounds. On behalf of the Department of Chemistry, SUSTech, Prof. Zhang Xumu and Associate Prof. Liu Xinyuan made lectures. Nearly 500 experts and scholars attended the forum. Attendees made seven plenary lectures, six keynote lectures and 12 invited lectures.

Chemistry is the center of modern science; synthetic chemistry and catalysis is the core of chemistry. According to data released by the US Department of Energy, the output value of catalysis-related products accounts for over 35 percent of US GDP. Chemistry generating new substances is medically linked to fields such as biology, materials, energy and agriculture. High-efficiency and high-selectivity catalysis is a key generic technology of modern pharmacy, and the green synthesis of small molecular drugs is a major research direction concerning national well-being and the people’s livelihood.