Dr. Tamio Hayashi is a distinguished organic chemist renowned for his pioneering contributions to asymmetric catalysis and organometallic chemistry. Currently serving as a Yushan Scholar Professor at National Taiwan Normal University since 2023, he previously held a prominent professorship at National Tsing Hua University from 2020 to 2023. His academic foundation was established at Kyoto University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1970, followed by a Master's in 1972, and ultimately his PhD in Synthetic Chemistry in 1975 under the supervision of Professor Makoto Kumada. After completing his doctoral studies, he built an illustrious career at Kyoto University as Professor from 1994 to 2012 before expanding his international influence with appointments at the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.
Professor Hayashi has synthesized an extensive array of innovative chiral ligands that have enabled numerous transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric reactions, fundamentally advancing the field of enantioselective synthesis. His work on rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric reactions, including the cooperative catalysis of arylstannanes with alkynes to produce ortho-alkenylarylstannanes, has provided powerful tools for complex molecule construction. The development of his spirocyclic ligand systems has allowed for unprecedented control in creating chiral centers with high enantioselectivity, addressing longstanding challenges in asymmetric catalysis. These contributions have been widely recognized through publications in prestigious journals including Angewandte Chemie and Chemical Science, with applications spanning pharmaceutical synthesis and advanced materials development.
In recognition of his exceptional scientific contributions, Professor Hayashi was honored with Japan's prestigious Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, highlighting the international impact of his work. He has mentored generations of chemists across multiple continents, fostering collaborative research networks that bridge Asian and Western scientific communities in the field of organic synthesis. Currently at National Taiwan Normal University, he continues to pioneer new frontiers in asymmetric catalysis, exploring novel reaction pathways and catalyst designs that promise to further transform synthetic methodology. His ongoing research maintains a steadfast focus on developing sustainable and efficient catalytic processes that address fundamental challenges in molecular construction while training the next generation of synthetic chemists.
