On March 20, 2023, Prof. Zhou Mingfei of the Department of Chemistry of Fudan University was invited to give a report titled "Gas Phase Molecules and Cluster Chemical Bonds" in the lecture hall 1668 of Zhizhi Building. The faculty and graduate students of Photonic Nose and Molecular Materials Group attended the meeting, which was anchored by Prof. Bian Hongtao.

Starting from the history of chemical bonds, Zhou Mingfei first introduced the research process of chemical bonds by successive generations of scientists, then focused on how to use chemical bond theory to understand and predict the chemical properties of molecules, two important theories of which are Hückel molecular orbital theory for conjugated molecules and coordination field theory for coordination compounds. He then explained that atoms can form molecules with different structures and properties through chemical bonds, using three examples of electron-deficient polycentric bonds of boranes, conjugated large π bonds of fullerenes, and transition metal multiple bonds. Finally, Prof. Zhou summarized the essence of chemical bonds, sorted out the rules behind chemical bonds, bringing to audience new understanding of chemical bonds.

Prof. Fang Yu commented on Professor Zhou’s report that contemporary basic scientific research is constantly expanding the understanding of the past, and Prof. Zhou has made a Chinese contribution to the basic theoretical research of chemistry.

After the presentation, Prof. Zhou discussed relevant issues with the teachers and students present, and answered their questions, before taking a group photo with the participating teachers.