Chemistry of Functional Molecules
Shigeo SUGIYAMA, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Masahiro NOJI, Ph.D., Lecturer
Recent medicines are prepared mainly by various organic reactions. Therefore, there is a strong need for research into effective, selective and pollution-free reactions. Based on this concept we are studying new reactions and the reaction mechanisms concerning photochemical, catalytic and asymmetric reactions.
Our recent research themes are as follows:
Photochemical reactions (e.g. [3+2] cycloaddition) of small-ring-containing compounds (epoxide or aziridine) conjugated with nitrile or ester have been investigated systematically. Currently we are focusing on asymmetric photoinduced [3+2] cycloaddition of aziridine and alkenes in chiral media.
We are also investigating the reaction of benzylic carbocation species generated from the corresponding benzylic alcohols by rare earth metal catalysts with carbon, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles. We are also interested in the application of these reactions for practical synthetic use and asymmetric synthesis.
Asymmetric desymmetrization of prochiral serinol possessing a chiral substituent on its nitrogen has been studied. High value-added products are synthesized efficiently and conveniently.
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