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Faculty Member UF Department of Chemistry

UF Department of Chemistry

Scott Family Hall 402

352-294-7991

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Daniel Seidel

Katritzky Term Professor in Heterocyclic Chemistry


Seidel Lab Website

Research Focus

The Seidel Group develops new methods in synthetic organic chemistry with a focus on C–H bond functionalization, asymmetric catalysis, and the rapid construction of molecular complexity from simple building blocks. Their research emphasizes efficiency, sustainability, and minimal use of protecting groups. This enables the streamlined synthesis of complex, bioactive molecules, particularly nitrogen-containing heterocycles that are important in pharmaceuticals and materials science.

Education and Training

2002–2005: Postdoc, Harvard University (lab of D. A. Evans)

1998–2002: Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin (lab of J. L. Sessler)

1993–1998: Diplom, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany

Selected Awards

Novartis Chemistry Lectureship (2017)

Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellow (2014)

Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers (2013)

Amgen Young Investigator Award (2011)

Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2011)

Selected Activities

Co-organizer of the biennial Florida Heterocyclic and Synthetic Chemistry Conference (FloHet)

Selected Publications

Kamal Bhatt, Alafate Adili, Andrew H. Tran, Kamal M. Elmallah, Ion Ghiviriga, and Daniel Seidel. Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Alkylation of Cyclic Imine-BF3 Complexes: A Modular Route to Functionalized. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 26331–26339.

Zhengbo Zhu, Minami Odagi, Nantamon Supantanapong, Weici Xu, Jaan Saame, Helmi-Ulrika Kirm, Khalil A. Abboud, Ivo Leito, and Daniel Seidel. Modular Design of Chiral Conjugate-Base-Stabilized Carboxylic Acids: Catalytic Enantioselective [4+2] Cycloadditions of Acetals. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 15252−15258.

Weijie Chen, Anirudra Paul, Khalil A. Abboud, and Daniel Seidel. Rapid Functionalization of Multiple C–H Bonds in Unprotected Alicyclic Amines. Nat. Chem. 2020, 12, 545–550.