Molecular System Chemistry Group
Principal Investigator (PI): Harunobu Mitsunuma, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University
Head of the Mitsunuma Laboratory / Molecular System Chemistry Group
Official Kobe University Faculty Listing |
ORCID
Our laboratory aims to create unprecedented functions by designing molecular networks and assembling them into sophisticated molecular systems. Functions that cannot be achieved by a single molecule can emerge when multiple molecules interact and operate cooperatively. By designing such molecular networks, we seek to develop new methodologies for organic synthesis, create unexplored functional materials, and construct artificial molecular systems that exhibit life-like properties. Through the power of chemistry, we connect, activate, and organize molecules to open new directions in molecular transformation, materials creation, and the understanding and synthesis of life-like systems.
RESEARCH
Designing “molecular systems”
We focus on network-based functions that emerge only when molecules assemble and interact with one another. Our goal is to understand the underlying principles through chemistry and to design and construct such systems artificially. Building on precision organic synthesis, we aim to create reaction environments and molecular systems in which molecules operate cooperatively, thereby developing new molecular transformation science and molecular functions beyond conventional frameworks.
PUBLICATION
Organocatalytic Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of Alcohols
Kanamori, H.; Jagtap, R. A.; Kojima, M.; Mitsunuma, H.*; Kanai, M.*
Synlett 2026, DOI: 10.1055/a-2921-9756.
Titanocene-catalyzed, linear-selective allylation of ketones with simple alkenes
Yu, Z.; Arii, S.; Chen, H.; Mitsunuma, H.*; Kanai, M.*
Tetrahedron Letters 2026, in press.
Development of Catalyst Systems Enabling sp3 C–H Functionalization Reactions
Mitsunuma, H.*
Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2026, 74, 294–309.
Electron Donor–Acceptor (EDA) Complex Formation via Spatial Control of Donor–Acceptor Interactions
Toyobe, M.; Matsumoto, N.; Nishimura, K.; Yanai, N.; Mitsunuma, H.*; Kanai, M.*
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2025, 90, 16923–16933.
*Invited to Special issue “Chemistry and Biology of Peptides”, Featured article.
Photocatalytic phosphorylation of alcohols via oxidative activation of 1,4-dihydropyridine-N-phosphoramide
Fujiyoshi, K.; Arii, S.; Yamatsugu, K.; Mitsunuma, H.; Kanai, M.*
Tetrahedron 2026, 189, 135008.
*Special Issue on H-Atom Transfer Chemistry edited by M. Kanai and T. Ooi (Invited).
NEWS
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2026/10/5newsAssociate Professor Mitsunuma went on an MBLA tour.
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2026/10/1newsThree research students joined the laboratory.
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2026/7/24newsWe held a BBQ to encourage our students before the graduate school entrance examination.
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2026/6/20newsAssociate Professor Mitsunuma gave a lecture at the Minakata Laboratory Young Researchers Seminar.
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2026/6/13newsWe participated in the Rokko Organic Synthesis Meeting.