Prof. SHI’s main research interests include green chemistry and catalysis. He has successfully developed new resin-supported nanogold, silica-gel-loaded ionic-liquid and other new catalytic materials and applied them to carbonylation of nitrogen containing compounds, activation of carbon dioxide, alkylation of amine and alcohol, etc. His work has been cited many times and promoted the development of the related area.

The Distinguished Young Chemist Award of the Chinese Chemical Society was established in 1983 to honor young chemists under the age of 35 who has made prominent contributions to basic chemistry, applied chemistry and chemical education.

In 2010 altogether 10 chemists were granted the award.