2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering

Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering I

Academic unit or major: Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Instructor(s): Mahito Atobe / Kazunori Sugiyasu
Class Format: Lecture
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): unknown
Class: -
Course Code: CAP.T423
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 3-4Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 27, 2026
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

[Outline] In this lecture, we will comprehend the fundamental properties and reactivities of substances at the atomic / molecular level, advanced chemical technology systems on the design and conversion of useful substances including macromolecules, and chemistry In order to train people, researchers active at the forefront of Applied Chemistry field introduce research results from basic to applied.
[Objective] We aim to acquire a broad knowledge of researchers who are active at the forefront of applied chemistry field concerning research from basic to applied.

Course description and aims

Learn the following abilities by taking this lecture.
(1) It can explain basic properties and reactivity of substances at atomic / molecular level. (2) Explain the advanced chemical technology system on the design and conversion of useful substances. (3) Explain a wide range of knowledge from basic to applied research.

Keywords

Basic properties, atoms / molecules, materials, chemical technology, applied chemistry

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Two lecturers will give intensive lectures in a hybrid manner with on-site and zoom for two days each. First half (27th Oct.): Prof. Kazunori Sugiyasu (Kyoto Univ.): Fundamentals and Recent Advances of Supramolecular Polymers. Second half (26th Nov.): Prof. Mahito Atobe (Yokohama National Univ.): Organic Electrosynthesis Toward Sustainable Chemical Productions.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	1-1 "Introduction to Supramolecular Chemistry" Overview: This lecture provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and historical development of supramolecular chemistry. Representative research areas, including molecular self-assembly, host-guest chemistry, molecular recognition, and biomimetic chemistry, will be discussed. 1-2 "The Interface between Supramolecular Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry" Overview: This lecture traces the historical development of polymer chemistry and examines its connections with supramolecular chemistry. Supramolecular polymers will be introduced as a concept linking these two disciplines, and their origins, structural characterizations, and fundamental properties will be discussed. 1-3 "Supramolecular polymers; Exploring “Polymer-Like” Behavior" Overview: The development of polymer chemistry has been driven by both the methodology of polymer synthesis and the study on physical properties. Likewise, research on supramolecular polymers requires a balanced understanding of structural control and property evaluation. Through selected research examples, this lecture examines the similarities and differences between conventional polymers and supramolecular polymers.	(1-1) The ability to explain the position and significance of supramolecular chemistry within the broader framework of chemistry, including organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. (1-2) The ability to explain the fundamental concepts of supramolecular polymers in the context of the historical development of polymer chemistry. (1-3) The ability to explain the concept of controlled supramolecular polymerization and material properties of supramolecular polymers.
Class 2	2-1 “Fundamentals of Organic Electrochemistry and Organic Electrode Reactions” Overview: This lecture will introduce the historical background of organic electrochemistry, the fundamental principles of electrode reactions, and the relationships between electrode potential, current, and reaction selectivity. Particular emphasis will be placed on distinctive features of organic electrode reactions, including polarity inversion (umpolung), chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and reaction-pathway selectivity, illustrated through representative examples. 2-2 “Advances in Organic Electrosynthesis and Next-Generation Reaction Processes” This lecture will discuss advanced methodologies in organic electrosynthesis, including direct and indirect electrolysis, mediator-assisted reactions, modified electrodes, and paired electrolysis. Furthermore, recent developments in reaction engineering for organic electrosynthesis will be introduced, including flow reactors, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) electrolysis, and reaction-field design utilizing ultrasound, ionic liquids, and supercritical fluids. The potential of these technologies as sustainable approaches to chemical production will also be discussed. 2-3 “Development of Electrochemical Flow Reactors and Their Applications to Organic Electrosynthesis” This lecture will present the development of electrochemical flow reactors and their applications to organic electrosynthesis. Topics will include supporting-electrolyte-free electrolysis, continuous utilization of electrochemically generated reactive species, selective reactions using liquid–liquid parallel laminar flows, the use of large-electrode-area electrolysis cells, and highly efficient molecular transformations based on solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) electrolysis. In addition, the pathway from fundamental research to industrial implementation and commercialization will be highlighted, together with future prospects for next-generation organic electrochemical processes.	(2-1) Ability to explain the fundamental principles of organic electrochemistry and the characteristics of organic electrode reactions. (2-2) Ability to explain the concepts of direct electrolysis, indirect electrolysis, and reaction-selectivity control in organic electrosynthesis. (2-3) Ability to explain the features and advantages of advanced electrochemical technologies, including flow electrochemical reactors and SPE electrolysis.

Course schedule

Objectives

Class 1

1-1 "Introduction to Supramolecular Chemistry"
Overview: This lecture provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and historical development of supramolecular chemistry. Representative research areas, including molecular self-assembly, host-guest chemistry, molecular recognition, and biomimetic chemistry, will be discussed.

1-2 "The Interface between Supramolecular Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry"
Overview: This lecture traces the historical development of polymer chemistry and examines its connections with supramolecular chemistry. Supramolecular polymers will be introduced as a concept linking these two disciplines, and their origins, structural characterizations, and fundamental properties will be discussed.

1-3 "Supramolecular polymers; Exploring “Polymer-Like” Behavior"
Overview: The development of polymer chemistry has been driven by both the methodology of polymer synthesis and the study on physical properties. Likewise, research on supramolecular polymers requires a balanced understanding of structural control and property evaluation. Through selected research examples, this lecture examines the similarities and differences between conventional polymers and supramolecular polymers.

(1-1) The ability to explain the position and significance of supramolecular chemistry within the broader framework of chemistry, including organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry.
(1-2) The ability to explain the fundamental concepts of supramolecular polymers in the context of the historical development of polymer chemistry.
(1-3) The ability to explain the concept of controlled supramolecular polymerization and material properties of supramolecular polymers.

Class 2

2-1 “Fundamentals of Organic Electrochemistry and Organic Electrode Reactions”
Overview: This lecture will introduce the historical background of organic electrochemistry, the fundamental principles of electrode reactions, and the relationships between electrode potential, current, and reaction selectivity. Particular emphasis will be placed on distinctive features of organic electrode reactions, including polarity inversion (umpolung), chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and reaction-pathway selectivity, illustrated through representative examples.

2-2 “Advances in Organic Electrosynthesis and Next-Generation Reaction Processes”
This lecture will discuss advanced methodologies in organic electrosynthesis, including direct and indirect electrolysis, mediator-assisted reactions, modified electrodes, and paired electrolysis. Furthermore, recent developments in reaction engineering for organic electrosynthesis will be introduced, including flow reactors, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) electrolysis, and reaction-field design utilizing ultrasound, ionic liquids, and supercritical fluids. The potential of these technologies as sustainable approaches to chemical production will also be discussed.

2-3 “Development of Electrochemical Flow Reactors and Their Applications to Organic Electrosynthesis”
This lecture will present the development of electrochemical flow reactors and their applications to organic electrosynthesis. Topics will include supporting-electrolyte-free electrolysis, continuous utilization of electrochemically generated reactive species, selective reactions using liquid–liquid parallel laminar flows, the use of large-electrode-area electrolysis cells, and highly efficient molecular transformations based on solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) electrolysis. In addition, the pathway from fundamental research to industrial implementation and commercialization will be highlighted, together with future prospects for next-generation organic electrochemical processes.

(2-1) Ability to explain the fundamental principles of organic electrochemistry and the characteristics of organic electrode reactions.
(2-2) Ability to explain the concepts of direct electrolysis, indirect electrolysis, and reaction-selectivity control in organic electrosynthesis.
(2-3) Ability to explain the features and advantages of advanced electrochemical technologies, including flow electrochemical reactors and SPE electrolysis.

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

None

Evaluation methods and criteria

Attendance will be checked in every class. Full attendance is required in principle. Course score will be based on the reports evaluation. In the case of unavoidable circumstances such as official duties, students may consult the contact (Shoji and Ito) listed below.

Related courses

CAP.T411 ： Elements of Innovative Molecular Chemistry I
CAP.A424 ： Advanced Organic Synthesis II
CAP.A481 ： Advanced Instrumental Analysis
CAP.T412 ： Elements of Innovative Molecular Chemistry II
CAP.A521 ： Advanced Molecular Design for Organic Synthesis I
CAP.I533 ： Advanced Strategic Organic Synthesis

Prerequisites

No prerequisites.

Other

Schedule
1st lecture: October 27　(Tue), 10:45-17:05 (On-site: Ookayama, HyFlex: Yokohama)
2nd lecture: November 26 (Thu), 10:45-17:05 (On-site: Yokohama, HyFlex: Ookayama)