Program:
15.00-15.15: coffee & cake in the foyer
15.15-16.15: scientific talk in Auditorium I

Speaker: Prof. Shū Kobayashi, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo

Abstract:
Organic synthesis has significantly contributed to modern society. Aiming for a sustainable future, our research has focused on addressing environmental, human health, and energy concerns through the lens of organic synthesis. This lecture will cover the use of water as a solvent in organic transformations, continuous-flow synthesis, and the role of hydrogen in future energy storage and transport. Throughout these efforts, organic synthesis and novel catalyst systems are paramount.

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioselective C–H bond functionalizations have become efficient methods for the synthesis of complex optically active molecules. Heterogeneous catalysts for this chemistry remain largely unexplored despite the advantages they offer in terms of ease of separation and reuse of catalysts. Herein, we report the development of heterogeneous chiral Rh catalysts for continuous-flow enantioselective hydroacylations. Heterogeneous catalysts could be prepared simply by mixing supports and Rh complexes. The prepared catalysts exhibited excellent activity and enantioselectivity affording optically active ketones in quantitative yields with 99% ee’s. Under the optimized reaction conditions, a turnover number >300 was achieved without the leaching of Rh species. The catalysts exhibited a wide substrate scope and in sequential-flow reactions with other heterogeneous catalysts, the syntheses of biologically active molecules and functional materials were demonstrated.