Catalysis Research Laboratory

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: J. CO2 Util. 2026, 109, 103485; ChemSusChem 2026, 19, e202502757; J. CO2 Util. 2025, 101, 103216; Adv. Synth. Catal. 2025, 367, e202500103; ChemSusChem 2023, 16, e202202387; Green Chem. 2019, 21, 2615; Green Chem. 2018, 20, 3761; ChemSusChem 2016, 9, 241; Green Chem. 2012, 14, 2996; Chem. Eur. J. 2023, 29, e202300903). Organocatalysis has emerged as a powerful synthetic paradigm complementary to metal-catalyzed transformations, significantly accelerating the development of new methodologies for the synthesis of bio-energy–related compounds as well as functional materials (for representative publications, see: Nature 2008, 452, 453; Nat. Protoc. 2007, 2, 1937; Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 5471; Science 2006, 313, 1584; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44, 108; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 8915; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 15036; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 609; Adv. Synth. Catal. 2021, 363, 5085; Mol. Catal. 2025, 576, 114943; Mol. Catal. 2025, 576, 114944). Transition-metal catalysis and cooperative catalysis are key approaches in modern synthetic chemistry. Transition metals enable diverse bond-forming reactions through their unique electronic and coordination properties, while cooperative catalysis employs multiple catalysts working synergistically to activate substrates. Together, these strategies provide enhanced reactivity and selectivity, broadening the scope of complex molecule and functional material synthesis (for representative publications, see: Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4881; 47, 5946; Sci. Re