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 Technology IV

Academic unit or major: Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Instructor(s): Satoshi Yokoshima / Akimitsu Narita
Class Format: Lecture (HyFlex)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: CAP.T426
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2026
Offered quarter: 1-2Q
Syllabus updated: Mar 9, 2026
Language: Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

[Overview]
This course aims to cultivate chemists who possess a deep understanding of the principles underlying the development of functions and properties of substances and materials. It also focuses on advanced chemical technologies for the creation of useful substances and materials, as well as their practical applications. Leading researchers in the field of applied chemistry will present their research outcomes, ranging from fundamental studies to practical applications.
[Objective]
The objective of this course is to equip students with a broad knowledge of both fundamental and applied research conducted by leading researchers at the forefront of applied chemistry.

Course description and aims

By completing this course, students will acquire the following competencies:

(1) The ability to explain the fundamental knowledge required for the synthesis of nanographenes.
(2) The ability to explain the bottom-up synthesis of graphene nanoribbons and methods for their structural characterizations.
(3) The ability to explain the on-surface synthesis of nanographenes and methods for analyzing their properties.
(4) The ability to explain the reaction mechanisms of transformations commonly employed in natural product synthesis.
(5) The ability to explain multiple strategies for constructing ring systems in organic molecules.
(6) The ability to explain the characteristics of protecting groups used in organic synthesis, including their stability and deprotection conditions.

Keywords

Synthesis of natural products, Retrosynthesis, Intramolecular Cycloaddition Reactions

Competencies

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

Class flow

The course will be conducted in a hyflex format, with two instructors delivering intensive lectures independently.
Prof. Akimitsu Narita (OIST):
Prof. Satoshi Yokoshima (Nagoya University)

Precision synthesis of nanographenes toward development of functional materials
Synthetic studies on natural products.

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Lecture 1: Introduction to Nanographene Synthesis This lecture will explain the basics for the synthesis of large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are recently attracting attention as “nanographenes”, focusing on representative methods. The bottom-up synthesis and structural characterizations of graphene nanoribbons, using the methods of polymer chemistry, will also be introduced. Lecture 2: On-Surface Synthesis and Properties of Nanographenes This lecture will explain the precision synthesis of nanographenes on a metal surface as well as characterizations of their structures and properties, using the methods of surface science. The on-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons with unique electronic properties will also be introduced. Lecture 3: Development and Potential of Applications of Functional Nanographene Materials This lecture will introduce the recent advances in the development of functional materials based on nanographenes. In particular, synthesis of functionalized nanographenes toward super-resolution bioimaging and construction of novel nanographenes with helical three-dimensional structures will be explained.	(1) The ability to explain the fundamental knowledge required for the synthesis of nanographenes. (2) The ability to explain the bottom-up synthesis of graphene nanoribbons and methods for their structural characterizations. (3) The ability to explain the on-surface synthesis of nanographenes and methods for analyzing their properties.
Class 2	Lecture 1: Synthesis and Retrosynthesis of Natural Products This lecture will introduce practical approaches to synthesis and retrosynthesis by examining selected examples from our work on natural product synthesis. Lecture 2: Unexpected Results in Natural Product Synthesis In synthetic studies of densely functionalized molecules, typical of many natural products, unexpected results are frequently encountered. The structural elucidation of such unforeseen products and the investigation of their formation mechanisms provide valuable insights that deepen our understanding of chemistry. This lecture will present several “unexpected” outcomes observed in the lecturer’s own research. Lecture 3: Construction of Natural and Non‑natural Polycyclic Frameworks via Intramolecular Cycloaddition Reactions A characteristic structural feature of many natural products used as pharmaceuticals is the presence of polycyclic frameworks rich in sp³ carbons. The placement of multiple functional groups and substituents on a conformationally rigid scaffold enables efficient interactions with biological molecules. The synthesis of these polycyclic frameworks necessarily involves ring‑forming reactions. Because such ring construction requires intramolecular bond formation, multiple functional groups must be carefully managed during substrate preparation, increasing the overall synthetic complexity. This lecture will introduce our work on the construction of natural and non‑natural polycyclic skeletons using intramolecular cycloaddition reactions.	(1) The ability to explain the reaction mechanisms of transformations commonly employed in natural product synthesis. (2) The ability to explain multiple strategies for constructing ring systems in organic molecules. (3) The ability to explain the characteristics of protecting groups used in organic synthesis, including their stability and deprotection conditions.

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

There is no designated textbook or reference materials for this course.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Supplementary materials will be provided when necessary.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students are expected to attend all classes in principle, and attendance will be recorded at each session. Grades will be assessed based on written reports.

Related courses

CAP.T425: Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering III
CAP.T423: Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering I

Prerequisites

No specific conditions are required to enroll in this course.

Other

Session 1: Friday, April 17
Prof. Akimitsu Narita (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, OIST)
Periods 3–8 (10:45–12:25, 13:30–17:05)

Session 2: Tuesday, July 2
Prof. Satoshi Yokoshima (Nagoya University)
Periods 3–8 (10:45–12:25, 13:30–17:05)