Overview

Research in my group is primarily aimed to the development of efficient and sustainable methodologies including biomass conversions, cooperative catalysis, (enantioselective) organocatalysis, and transition-metal-free reactions. Having powerful tools in hand, we are able to create renewable resources for the production of biofuels and bio-chemicals though the bio-refinery approach and synthesize the biologically active natural products from small chiral synthons. We are definitely sure that these protocols will stimulate further research toward the development of practical methods for bio-energy productions as well as stereoselective reactions and will be of interest to chemists beyond the field of catalysis.

Research Interests

Bio-Energy Production - Given the environmental concerns and declining availability of fossil fuels, as well as the growing population worldwide, it is essential to move toward a sustainable bioenergy production from lignocellulosic biomass (For representative publications, see: Green Chem. 2019, 21, 2615; Green Chem. 2018, 20, 3761; ChemSusChem 2016, 9, 241).

Enantioselective Organocatalysis - Enantioselective organocatalysis has emerged as a powerful synthetic paradigm that is complementary to metal-catalyzed transformations and has accelerated the development of new methods for the synthesis of biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals (For representative publications, see: Nature 2008, 452, 453; Nat. Protoc. 2007, 2, 1937; Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 5471; Science 2006, 313, 1584).

Cooperative Catalysis - Two catalysts and two catalytic cycles work in concert to create a single new bond. A single chemical transformation is achieved by activating both the nucleophile and the electrophile by two different catalysts (For representative publications, see: Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 5946; Sci. Rep. 2017, 7, 3146).

Inorganic Electride - Inorganic electride, which are stoichiometric ionic crystals with electrons trapped in cavities acting as anions, have emerged as functional materials in chemistry and material science (For represenative publications, see: Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4881; Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 3577; Sci. Rep. 2015, 10366).

We are currently seeking highly self-motivated graduate students to join our research group.