Fumitoshi Kakiuchi

Creation of Innovative Molecular Transformation Methods Induced by Electricity, Light, and Magnetic Field

Research Director

Fumitoshi Kakiuchi

Collaborator

Yutaka Ie	Professor The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research Osaka University
Hiroaki Sasai	Specially Appointed Professor Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Osaka University
Toshifumi Dohi	Professor College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ritsumeikan University

Outline

This project will develop innovative, highly efficient, and selective catalytic molecular transformation methods of carbon-hydrogen bonds ubiquitous in organic compounds utilizing reactive species generated by electricity, light, and magnetic field. We will also incorporate machine learning methods for efficient developments of the catalytic reactions. We will work on the following research subjects: 1) Developments of asymmetric reactions and regioselective reactions by controlling the oxidation states of catalysts. 2) Developments of multifunctional methods of catalysts by on-demand adjusting catalytic activity and structural changes. 3) Creation of a guiding principle regarding regioselective functionalization utilizing features of electrodes.

Kazuhiko Maeda

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using hydride-containing oxides

Research Director

Kazuhiko Maeda

Collaborator

Hiroshi Kageyama	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University
Shunsuke Nozawa	Associate Professor Institute of Materials Structure Science High Energy Accelerator Research Organization

Outline

This project aims at developing new electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, which show high selectivity and activity. We focus on hydride-containing metal oxides as catalyst components, and prepare suitable support materials by modifying their constituent ions. Besides, we attempt to improve selectivity and reaction rate toward desired products by adding another component of a transition metal onto the hydride-containing metal oxide support. Our attempt includes the development of new spectroscopic techniques that enable to visualize CO2 reduction reaction over our catalysts at the working state.

Makoto Yasuda

Activation of ionic intermediates by a Lewis-acid external stimulus system

Research Director

Makoto Yasuda

Collaborator

Akihiro Shimizu	Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering Science Osaka University
Daisuke Takahashi	Associate Professor Faculty of Science and Technology Keio University
Koichi Fukase	Professor Graduate School of Science Osaka University

Outline

Cage-shaped metal complexes are controlled by light irradiation and/or electrolysis to precisely manage the properties of the complexes, and this study will establish a selective synthetic method for polysaccharides. Selective terpenoid cyclization will be performed by utilizing the structural changes induced by excimer generation due to photoexcitation of the ligand in the Lewis acid. We will create a Lewis-acid photoredox catalyst compound and develop a highly efficient electron-transfer catalytic reaction. A regioselective reaction will be performed via the non-thermal effect of microwaves on the active intermediate generated by the Lewis-acid compound.

Jun Yoshinobu

Surface chemical processes induced by precisely controlled radiation fields in time and space domains

Research Director

Jun Yoshinobu

Collaborator

Manabu Abe	Professor Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Hiroshima University
Kazuya Watanabe	Professor Graduate School of Science Kyoto University

Outline

In this project, we aim to develop a novel strategy for surface reaction processes by using radiation fields that are precisely controlled both in time and spatial domains, where the selective excitations of low-frequency modes of adsorbates by THz laser pulses and the modulations of potential energy surface via polariton formation are utilized. In contrast to conventional thermal reactions in which thermal energy is statistically distributed in all the vibrational modes of adsorabtes, this novel approach will allow to drive the reaction at lower temperature, i.e., with lower energy consumption by lowering the potential barriers and by the selective excitation along the reaction coordinate.