Title:     Enzyme-Inspired Ligand Design for Asymmetric Metal Catalysis

Time:     2024-06-07 10:00

Lecturer:  Prof. Masaya Sawamura

  Hokkaido University

Venue:    Room 202, Lu-Jiaxi Building

Abstract：

Catalyst design for asymmetric synthesis has generally been done by combining relatively strong intermolecular forces, such as coordinative interactions, hydrogen-bonding interactions, and electrostatic interactions, with repulsive forces called as steric repulsions. On the other hand, recent advancement of computational chemistry has revealed the importance of weak intermolecular forces such as C–H···O hydrogen-bonding and London dispersion, which have not been considered before. As a result, more advanced catalyst design based on the synergistic effect of multiple intermolecular forces including these weak intermolecular forces has become possible, making catalysts more enzyme-like. In this lecture, we will discuss synergistic effects of intermolecular forces in our study of asymmetric catalysis.

Bio of Prof. Masaya Sawamura：

Masaya Sawamura is professor of Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University. His research interests are development of new catalysts and organic reaction. He has made outstanding achievements in the research of development of super-efficient and powerful catalysts abd chemical reactions through ligand design. He has published more than 200 papers including Nature, Science et al. He has received many awards including the Chemical Society of Japan Award, Nagoya Silver Medal, Negishi Award and Awards for Science and Technology-Research (MEXT) et al.