Overview

As organic chemists, "manipulating molecules to confer functionality" is a privilege granted to us.

The number of molecules is literally infinite. There are countless molecules that have yet to be discovered or synthesized, hidden in this treasure trove. Our research focuses on discovering molecules that are useful for society or intriguing, even if they do not have direct practical applications.

We have been interested in light-related chemical reactions and molecules. For example, we have been developing photochemical reactions that absorb sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into other molecules (artificial photosynthesis), molecules that emit light in various colors, and molecules that change their luminescent color or brightness in response to stimuli.

Light is the only energy source on Earth that can be used semi-permanently. We aim to effectively utilize its benefits and promote environmentally benign chemistry.