In general, our research group aims to discover and develop novel methodologies for the metal-catalyzed reactions as well as asymmetric catalysis. We are also interested in reaction mechanism, which is the foundation for future applications of this chemistry.

Catalytic Arene Functionalization via π-Coordination

Aromatic rings are among the most important functional molecule skeletons, and are found widely in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and macromolecules. For example, nearly 80% of all global drugs bear aromatic rings. Therefore, the development of selective and efficient strategies for arene functionalization is a long-standing endeavor in synthetic chemistry. Since Hafner and Fischer synthesized the bis(benzene)chromium, a Cr(0)-complexed arene, which plays an important role in the development of organometallic chemistry in 1950s, extensive studies on metal η⁶-arene complexes have been addressed. However, in contrast to numerous reactions of metal-complexed arenes have been developed, only quite a few catalytic examples of arene functionalization via η⁶-coordination have been reported to date. The aim of my research team is to design and development of catalysis by means of η⁶-coordination with transition-metals that provides novel methods for synthesis and functionalization of aromatic compounds. We seek to provide strategically creative solutions through the development of transition-metal catalysts.

Amine Synthesis and Asymmetric Catalysis

The research of our group is directed towards the development of novel methodologies for the metal-catalyzed functionalization of amines with the aim of producing synthetically useful molecules.

Synthesis of Functional Molecules

We are also interested in synthesis of functional molecules, including natural products, fluorescence probes, PET tracers, and polymers by using our own methodologies.