A broad range of bioactive compounds has been synthesized and deployed as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Among them, organic molecules with pronounced three-dimensional architectures provide rich structural diversity and can selectively engage biological targets in vivo, making them especially attractive drug candidates.
In our laboratory, we pursue the creation of unprecedented three-dimensional molecules. For example, helical molecules exhibit striking symmetry yet exist as two mirror-image forms, right- and left-handed helices, and are highly strained. Because selective, high-yield synthesis is exceptionally demanding, only a few helical molecules have reached pharmaceutical development.
Using our original strategy to control the site selectivity of reactions of highly reactive intermediates, we can synthesize previously unreported helices in high yields and are extending these discoveries to broader applications. We also develop axially chiral molecules in which a heteroatom defines the stereogenic axis; their synthesis remains challenging, and inefficient optical resolution is still common.
Supported by knowledge and experience, we strive to overcome these barriers through synthetic expertise and creativity, working with collaborators inside and outside the university to accelerate drug discovery and development.
研究課題 Research Objectives
新規らせん状分子の合成と医薬品開発への応用 Synthesis of novel helical molecules and their applications to drug discovery
医薬品開発に資する新規ボロン酸保護基の開発 Design of protecting groups for boronic acids to enable the synthesis of bioactive compounds
新規軸不斉分子合成法の開発 Establishment of atroposelective methods for the synthesis of axially chiral molecules
高反応性種の反応制御法の開発と有機合成への応用 Control of highly reactive intermediates and their applications in organic synthesis
新規重水素標識化法の開発と医薬品を含む産業的応用 Innovation in deuterium-labeling strategies and their applications in pharmaceuticals and industry
最近の研究成果 Research Results
T. Shigeta, Y. Ichikawa, S. Suzuki, Y. Hamabe, N. Nakahara, Y. Gonno, M. Ozeki, I. Kawasaki, M. Egi, N-(Trimethylsilyl)diethylamine-Promoted Intramolecular SNAr Reaction of Electron-Rich Aryl Fluorides. Synthesis, 57, 883-890 (2025).
M. Ishida, R. Adachi, K. Kobayashi, Y. Yamamoto, C. Kawahara, T. Yamada, H. Aoyama, K. Kanomata, S. Akai, P. Y. S. Lam, H. Sajiki, T. Ikawa, First atroposelective Chan-Lam coupling for the synthesis of C-N linked biaryls. Chem. Commun., 60, 678-681 (2024). Highlighted as an Inside Front Cover.
N. Sakurada, K. Kobayashi, Y. Abe, K. Niwa, T. Yokoyama, T. Yamada, T. Ikawa, H. Sajiki, Stable and Versatile Pd Precursors for the Preparation of Robust Pd Catalysts under Continuous-Flow. ChemSusChem, e202401859 (2024). Highlighted as a Cover Picture and as a Hot Topic in Flow Chemistry.
N. Oka, T. Yamada, H. Sajiki, S. Akai, T. Ikawa, Aryl Boronic Esters Are Stable on Silica Gel and Reactive under Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Conditions. Org. Lett., 24, 3510-3514 (2022). Highlighted in SYNFACTS, 18, 0867 (2022). Highlighted as a Cover Art and pick up in Faculty Opinions. Most Read Paper in 2022.
Ikawa, T., Yamamoto, Y., Heguri, A., Fukumoto, Y., Murakami, T., Takagi, A., Masuda, Y., Yahata, K., Aoyama, H., Shigeta, Y., Tokiwa, H., Akai, H., Could London Dispersion Force Control Regioselective (2+2) Cyclodimerizations of Benzynes? YES: Application to the Synthesis of Helical Biphenylenes Helicene, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 143, 10853-10859 (2021).