Researches

Research Aims and Interests

My research focuses on the creation, chemical modification, and catalytic utilization of organic-based materials through organic chemistry. Rather than treating catalysis and materials as separate disciplines, our group aims to integrate organic synthesis, organic reactions, and materials chemistry into a unified molecular design framework.

In particular, we employ organic chemistry as a central tool to (i) synthesize functional organic materials, (ii) modify and reprogram their chemical environments, and (iii) utilize these organic materials as active platforms for organic reactions and catalysis. This approach bridges molecular synthesis, porous materials (e.g., MOFs), polydopamine-based materials, and catalysis, enabling new reactivity and functionality beyond conventional catalytic systems.

 1. Synthesis of Organic-Based Functional Materials

• Design and synthesis of functional organic building blocks for advanced materials

• Synthesis of porous organic and metal–organic materials (e.g., MOFs, hybrid frameworks)

• Development of organic and organometallic materials with tailored structural and electronic properties

• Construction of organic material platforms for chemical reactivity and catalysis

2. Organic-Chemical Modification of Functional Materials

• Post-synthetic modification (PSM) of MOFs and related porous materials using organic reactions

• Organic transformation–driven surface and interface modification of materials (including pDA-based systems)

• Molecular-level control of functionality, reactivity, and microenvironment within organic materials

• Integration of organic synthesis strategies with materials functionalization

3. Organic Reactions Enabled by Functional Materials

• Development of organic reactions using functional organic materials as catalysts or reaction platforms

• Utilization of porous and hybrid materials to control selectivity, reactivity, and reaction pathways

• Design of heterogeneous and semi-heterogeneous organic reaction systems based on organic materials

• Exploration of structure–reactivity relationships in material-assisted organic transformations

4. Catalytic Systems Bridging Molecular and Materials Chemistry

• Transition-metal-catalyzed organic reactions integrated with organic and inorganic materials

• Main-group and lanthanide catalysis in material-assisted organic transformations

• Multifunctional catalytic materials combining molecular catalysts and organic material frameworks

• Pore, channel, and microenvironment engineering for catalytic organic reactions