Metal complexes are molecular substances composed of metal ions and organic ligands. The electronic states of metal ions and the structure and properties of organic ligands are used to develop multifunctional metal complexes, which can be used to manifest new useful material properties.

The induction of state changes in metallic compounds using heat, pressure, light, magnetic fields, electric fields, etc., results in "switching" the orientation of that compound's atoms. This switching plays an important role in the development of molecular-scale memory devices and transistors.
Liquid crystal or gel-state soft materials can be produced from metallic complexes through attachment of long-chain alkyls.
beings. Creation of models using photosynthesis reactions enables the elucidation of bodily mechanisms and energy production.
Research and development of new types of nano-scale materials (nanosheets) is conducted using chemical reactions on layered substances like graphite and mica to separate their structures into individual layers. These nanosheets are only a few molecules in width, making them nearly two-dimensional. Nanosheets hold special properties, which remain hidden when the sheets are layered in large quantities. For this reason, a lot of research is conducted regarding the design of materials using nanosheets, the evaluation of their properties, and exploration of their functionality.

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, molecular compounds were considered nonconductors. These days, however, more and more types of metallic and superconductive substances are being produced, and even familiar elements are now used in semiconductors. From these trends, many say that molecular compounds will become the new standards for the production of the electronics of the future. Our research examines the optical and magnetic properties of molecules themselves, develops new electronic materials based on the design of these molecules, and explores the mechanisms behind manifestation of molecular physical properties.

We can know the original state of electron by analyzing electron fly out from the material using photoelectric effect. This photoelectric effect is known as the theme when A. Einstein won Nobel Prize. We try to examine the relationship between the valence electron state in the material and the material itself.

Certain organic compounds possess superior bioactivity and functionality. This research tests out new sorts of reactions so that new types of these materials can be synthesized efficiently "in the test-tube." In particular, we are researching highly efficient synthesis of organic peroxide, spiro-compounds, propellanes, and macrocyclic compounds via catalyzed oxidation using manganese (III) compounds.

Nature is capable of producing structures that far exceed the fruits of human knowledge, and provides humankind with countless (natural) organic compounds that have useful bioactive properties. We utilize unique scientific methodologies to attempt to synthesize (supply) these natural products from petroleum-based materials (total synthesis research). Furthermore, we have made developments in biological research of these synthesized natural products and their derivatives, seeking to understand the inner-workings of living organisms and to develop new medical products in the university setting.

Among the organic compounds which are potentially very useful in medical, agricultural, and pharmaceutical products, is a subset of compounds whose reflections in a mirror do not match up with their original forms, substances which exhibit so-called "handedness." These compounds are known as optical isomers and, in general, each one has almost completely different bioactive properties than its mirror opposite. In the natural world, oxygen acts to efficiently produce one of these optical isomers, but unfortunately only in small quantities. Therefore, it is up to science to pick up the slack. In order to freely synthesize a desired optical isomer, we are working to develop unique chiral metal complexes and small organic molecules to serve as superior catalysts, using the activity of oxygen as a model.

Chamical substances contained in water and air affect to our health and environment.
This course aims to develop high-sensitive analytical methods which can be used on-site in the fields.
Thus we study enrichment mechanisms of hydrophobic agents and preconcentration of air pollutants, and apply our advanced methods and devices to field works to study the behaviors and dynamics of chemical molecules in environment.

Marine pollution from toxic chemical compounds poses a serious environmental threat. People have started paying attention not only to persistent and biopersistence materials such as dioxines and chlorinated organic compounds but also to artificial materials including household goods such as medical goods and synthetic perfume as new environmental chemicals. We study the residual mechanism and state of biological concentration by analyzing these chemical materials.