Kweon, Jeonguk

Assistant Professor

Lab: NSB (108) 705
Office: NSB (108) 701-2
E-mail: jeongukkweon@unist.ac.kr
Phone: +82-52-217-2703

Kweon, Jeonguk

Assistant Professor

E-mail: jeongukkweon@unist.ac.kr
Lab: NSB (108) 705
Office: NSB (108) 701-2
Phone: +82-52-217-2703
Research Areas
Organic Chemistry, Organometallics, Synthetic Methodology
Research Summary

We develop new organic synthesis methods that transform simple, readily available chemical feedstocks into structurally complex and functionally valuable molecules. To achieve this goal, we focus on the design of innovative reagents and catalytic systems, while also pursuing mechanistic studies that combine experimental and computational approaches to elucidate the fundamental principles governing these reactions at the molecular level. In particular, we are interested in sustainable synthetic strategies enabled by catalysts based on earth-abundant 1st-row transition metals, as well as by photochemical and electrochemical activation. In the long term, we aim to establish modular synthetic platforms that allow diverse molecular building blocks to be connected in a precise and programmable manner, ultimately making the synthesis of complex target molecules more intuitive, versatile, and broadly accessible.

Education

Ph.D., Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), (Advisor: Prof. Sukbok Chang) (2019.03~2024.02)
B.S., Chemistry, Seoul National University (2015.03~2019.02)

Career

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, UNIST (2026.06~present)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences (D-CHAB), ETH Zurich (Advisor: Prof. Bill Morandi) (2025.06~2025.05)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Catalytic Hydrocarbon Functionalizations (CCHF), Institute for Basic Science (IBS) (Advisor: Prof. Sukbok Chang) (2024.03~2025.05)

Selected Publications
Decarboxylative stereoretentive C–N coupling by harnessing aminating reagent
J. Kweon†, B. Park†, D. Kim, S. Chang*
Nat. Commun. 15, 3788 (2024)
Mechanistic snapshots of rhodium-catalyzed acylnitrene transfer reactions
H. Jung, J. Kweon, J. M. Suh, M. H. Lim, D. Kim*, S. Chang*
Science 381, 525 (2023)
Photoinduced Transition-Metal-Free Chan–Evans–Lam-Type Coupling: Dual Photoexcitation Mode with Halide Anion Effect
Z. Zhou†, J. Kweon†, H. Jung, D. Kim, S. Seo*, S. Chang*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144, 9161 (2022)
Access to β-lactams via iron-catalyzed olefin oxyamidation enabled by the π-accepting phthalocyanine ligand
J. Kweon, D. Kim, S. Kang, S. Chang*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144, 1872 (2022)
Highly Robust Iron Catalyst System for Intramolecular C(sp3)−H Amidation Leading to γ‐Lactams
J. Kweon, S, Chang*
Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 60, 2909 (2021)
Research Highlights