Makoto Fujita

Biography

Research

Weak interactions induce the spontaneous organization of various biological structures. Such an elegant mechanism in nature has prompted us to design and establish self-assembling molecular systems. Thus, we have been showing that well-designed molecules are spontaneously organized into functional mol ecular systems.

1. Self-assembling molecular systems utilizing transition metals: The simple combination of transition metal geometry with well-designed bridging ligands gives rise to the quantitative self-assembly of nano-sized, discrete organic frameworks. Representative examples include square molecules, linked-ring molecules, cages, capsules, and tubes that are self-assembled from simple and small components.
2. Chemistry of isolated nano-space: The metal-directed self-assembly of nan o-meter sized frameworks gives us an opportunity to develop the chemistry of "isolated nano-space". For example, stabilization of labile molecules, specific chemical transformations, and the synthesis of labile molecules have been achieved within the cavities of the self-assembled cages and capsules.
3. Coordination polymers: The metal-directed self-assembly has been also applied to the preparation of non-covalent polymers with well-defined structures and interesting properties.