A New Frontier in Chemical Transformations Enabled by Light and Transition Metal Complexes

Light energy is an attractive energy source for material transformation as it is not only sustainable but also capable of supplying significant energy to a reaction system in a controllable manner. In particular, when applied to molecules, it enables the formation of highly reactive electronic states and the selective activation of chemical bonds. By leveraging these phenomena, novel reactions that are generally difficult to achieve in thermochemical systems can be developed.

Our research unit focuses on developing new methodologies for molecular transformations using light energy, based on photochemistry, organometallic chemistry, and coordination chemistry.

Major Research Topics

Small Molecular Transformations
Driven by Visible Light

This research aims to develop reactions that utilize visible light as a driving force to convert small molecules, such as carbon dioxide, into value-added products, thereby contributing to the establishment of a sustainable material transformation system.

Near-Infrared Light Uncaging Reactions

This research aims to develop reactions that release bioactive molecules using near-infrared light, which exhibits high tissue penetration, as a driving force, with the goal of constructing minimally invasive phototherapeutic systems.