研究紹介 / Research

研究概要 / Research Outline
「有機合成と分子集合体に基く新規材料の開拓」

"Development of novel materials based on organic synthesis and molecular assembly"

高分子化学が興ってから約100年が経ち、今や高分子材料は身の回りに溢れる欠かせない材料となっておりますが、原子や分子の組み合わせ、繰り返し構造、あるいは高次構造を考えると合成されていないもののほうが遥かに多いと言えます。当研究室では高分子を作る重合反応を行う前の状態に注目し、超分子化学や有機合成化学の知識を駆使してモノマーなどの配置を調整することで新しい高分子合成手法を確立し、得られた材料の機能開拓を行っています。 

Polymer chemistry, having marked its centenary, has evolved to the point where polymeric materials have become integral to our daily lives. Nonetheless, considering the vast possibilities arising from the permutations of atoms, molecules, repeating units, and higher-order structures, there remain numerous uncharted avenues in polymer synthesis. Within our laboratory, we center our efforts on the molecular state prior to the polymerization process. By leveraging our expertise in supramolecular chemistry and organic synthetic chemistry, we innovate novel polymer synthesis techniques that involve the strategic manipulation of monomer arrangements and subsequently delve into the exploration of the functional attributes of the resultant materials.

研究内容 / Research contents

「原子・分子の精密配置に基づく新しい巨大分子合成法の開発と機能開拓」

"Development of new methods for synthesis of macromolecules based on precise arrangement of atoms and molecules and exploration of their functions"

原子や分子をあらかじめ正確に配置あるいは配列した状態でつなぎ合わせることで、これまでの手法では得ることが難しかった鎖構造や網目構造が精密に制御された高分子を創り出す手法を開発しています。たとえば多孔性結晶である金属有機構造体(Metal-Organic Framework、MOF)の構成要素である有機配位子を結晶作製後に繋ぎ合わせることで網目構造を制御した三次元高分子を作ることができています。このようにつなぎ方を究めることで有機元素の特性を極限まで活用した全く新しい材料の創製を目指しています。

We have pioneered a methodology that enables the creation of polymers characterized by meticulously controlled chain and network structures. This achievement involves the prearranged and precisely aligned assembly of atoms and molecules—a feat traditionally challenging with conventional techniques. An exemplary illustration of our approach is the linkage of organic ligands within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), allowing us to fashion three-dimensional polymers endowed with precise network structures. Through our ongoing exploration of the techniques for connecting these organic ligands in such a manner, we aspire to craft entirely novel materials that harness the full potential of organic elements and their unique properties.

  • "Step‐Growth Copolymerization Between an Immobilized Monomer and a Mobile Monomer in Metal-Organic Frameworks" Anan, S.; Mochizuki, Y.; Kokado, K.; Sada, K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58(24), 8018-8023. (10.1002/anie.201901308)
  • "Box-like gel capsules from heterostructures based on a core-shell MOF as a template of crystal crosslinking" Ishiwata, T.; Michibata, A.; Kokado, K.; Ferlay, S.; Hosseini, M. W.; Sada, K. Chem. Commun. 2018, 54(12), 1437-1440. (10.1039/c7cc07158b)
  • "Anisotropically Swelling Gels Attained through Axis-Dependent Crosslinking of MOF Crystals" Ishiwata, T.; Kokado, K.; Sada, K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56(10), 2608-2612. (10.1002/anie.201611338)
  • "Transformation of Metal-Organic Framework to Polymer Gel by Cross-Linking the Organic Ligands Pre-Organized in Metal-Organic Framework" Ishiwata, T.; Furukawa, Y.; Sugikawa, K.; Kokado, K.; Sada, K. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135(14), 5427-5432. (10.1021/ja3125614)
  • "Nano- and Microsized Cubic Gel Particles from Cyclodextrin Metal-Organic Frameworks" Furukawa, Y.; Ishiwata, T.; Sugikawa, K.; Kokado, K.; Sada, K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51(42), 10566-10569. (10.1002/anie.201204919)

「光励起状態のダイナミクス設計による有機分子の発光制御」

"Control of luminescence of organic molecules by designing dynamics of photoexcited states"

分子集合することで発現する機能の制御の一環として発光特性に着目しています。有機分子を光励起したあとのダイナミクスは発光挙動に大きな影響を及ぼします。当研究室では凝集誘起型発光(Aggregation-Induced Emission、AIE)特性が励起状態における分子の大きな変形挙動に深く関連していることを有機合成化学と計算科学を駆使して見出し、その知見を基に新しいAIE分子を開発しています。励起状態におけるダイナミクスを設計することで新たな作動原理に基づく生命現象のプローブや物理変化のセンサーへの応用が期待されます。

As part of our pursuit to control the functions exhibited by molecular assemblies, we are placing a significant emphasis on luminescence properties. Understanding the dynamics of organic molecules post-photoexcitation is instrumental in deciphering their luminescent characteristics. Through the amalgamation of synthetic organic chemistry and theoretical computation, we've made a noteworthy discovery: the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties are intricately linked to the substantial structural deformation of molecules in their excited state. Building upon this knowledge, we are actively engaged in the development of novel AIE molecules. The design of dynamics within excited states holds promise for applications in probing biological phenomena and creating sensors for detecting physical changes grounded in innovative operating principles.

  • "Emissive Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) Derivatives in a Dissolved State Tightly Fastened by a Short Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Chain" Tanaka, Y.; Machida, T.; Noumi, T.; Sada, K.; Kokado, K. Org. Chem. Front. 2020, 7(18), 2649-2656. (10.1039/d0qo00839g)
  • "Photo-Induced Pyramidal Inversion Behavior of Phosphines Involved with the Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Behavior" Machida, T. Iwasa, T.; Taketsugu, T.; Sada, K.; Kokado, K. Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26(36), 8028-8034. (10.1002/chem.202000264) (Front Cover) (Profile)
  • "Consideration of Molecular Structure in the Excited State to Design New Luminogens with Aggregation‐Induced Emission" Kokado, K.; Sada, K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58(26), 8632-8639. (10.1002/anie.201814462)
  • "Twist of C=C Bond Plays a Crucial Role for Quenching of AIE-Active Tetraphenylethene Derivatives in Solution" Kokado, K.; Machida, T.; Iwasa, T.; Taketsugu, T.; Sada, K. J. Phys. Chem. C 2018, 122(1), 245-251. (10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b11248)
  • "Liquefaction-induced emission enhancement of tetraphenylethene derivatives" Machida, T.; Taniguchi, R.; Oura, T.; Kokado, K.; Sada, K. Chem. Commun. 2017, 53(15), 2378-2381. (10.1039/c6cc09939d)
  • "Rigidity-induced emission enhancement of network polymers crosslinked by tetraphenylethene derivatives" Kokado, K.; Taniguchi, R.; Sada, K. J. Mater. Chem. C 2015, 3(33), 8504-8509. (10.1039/c5tc01597a) (Inside Front Cover)
  • "Multicolor Tuning of Aggregation-Induced Emission through Substituent Variation of Diphenyl-o-carborane" Kokado, K.; Chujo, Y. J. Org. Chem. 2011, 76(1), 316-319. (10.1021/jo101999b)
  • "Emission via Aggregation of Alternating Polymers with o-Carborane and p-Phenylene-ethynylene Sequences" Kokado, K.; Chujo, Y. Macromolecules 2009, 42(5), 1418-1420. (10.1021/ma8027358) (Noteworthy Chemistry) 

論文投稿の関係から、詳しくは説明できない研究内容も存在します。これらの研究に興味のある方は電話またはe-mailで気軽にお問合せください。また、研究室訪問も大歓迎です。

In light of our paper submissions, there are certain studies that we may not be able to delve into extensively here. If you find yourself intrigued by these studies and wish to learn more, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email. We wholeheartedly encourage visits to our laboratory as well. Your interest and engagement are greatly appreciated.

小門 憲太 教授 Prof. Dr. Kenta Kokado Tel: 052-809-1885

阿南 静佳 助教 Dr. Shizuka Anan Tel: 052-809-1886

E-mail: kokado [at] toyota-ti.ac.jp, anan [at] toyota-ti.ac.jp

これまでに発表した論文の一覧は　こちら (Publication list)