RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Advanced Organic Synthesis Research Team
Team Leader: Laurean Ilies (Ph.D.)
Research Summary

Our team aims at the development of “next generation synthesis” and its utilization for the creation of functional organic molecules. Our vision of “next generation synthesis” is inspired by the highly efficient reactions the Nature uses: direct and highly selective coupling of organic molecules without prefunctionalization with reactive groups. We envision that by precise design of ligands, efficient and selective catalysts enable the rapid assembly of complex functional molecules from simple building blocks. Also, we are particularly interested in the development of sustainable catalysis based on Earth-abundant metals such as manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, etc.
Main Research Fields
- Chemistry
Related Research Fields
- Complex Systems
- Engineering
Keywords
- Organic synthesis
- Earth abundant metal catalysis
- Functional materials
- C-H bond activation
Selected Publications
Papers with an asterisk(*) are based on research conducted outside of RIKEN.
- 1.
B. Ramadoss, Y. Jin, S. Asako, L. Ilies,
"Remote steric control for undirected /meta/-selective C–H activation of arenes"
Science2022, 375, 658–663 - 2.
O. Kuleshova, S. Asako, L. Ilies,
"Ligand-Enabled, Iridium-Catalyzed /ortho/-Borylation of Fluoroarenes"
ACS Catal.2021, 11, 5968–5973. - 3.
S. Asako, I. Takahashi, T. Kurogi, Y. Murakami, L. Ilies, K. Takai,
"Birch Reduction of Arenes Using Sodium Dispersion and DMI under Mild Conditions"
Chem. Lett.2021, 51, 38–40. - 4.
S. Asako, I. Takahashi, H. Nakajima, L. Ilies, K. Takai,
"Halogen–Sodium Exchange Enables Efficient Access to Organosodium Compounds"
Commun. Chem. 2021, 4, 76. - 5.
P. B. De, S. Asako, L. Ilies,
Recent Advances in the Use of Sodium Dispersion for Organic Synthesis" (review)
Synthesis2021, 53, 3180–3192. - 6.
*T. Doba, L. Ilies, W. Sato, R. Shang, E. Nakamura,
"Iron-Catalysed Regioselective Thienyl C–H/C–H Coupling"
Nat. Catal.2021, 4, 631–638. - 7.
L. Ilies,
"C–H Activation Catalyzed by Earth-Abundant Metals" (account) Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 2021, 94, 404–417. - 8.
S. Asako,* L. Ilies,*
"Olefin Synthesis by Deoxygenative Coupling of Carbonyl Compounds: From Stoichiometric to Catalytic" (highlight review)
Chem. Lett.2020, 49, 1386-1393.
Recent Research Results
Apr. 22, 2022
Selective synthesis of meta isomers now possible
Related Links
Lab Members
Principal investigator
- Laurean Ilies
- Team Leader
Core members
- Sobi Asako
- Senior Scientist
- Yuichiro Mutoh
- Senior Scientist
- Kazuhiro Okamoto
- Research Scientist
- Ikko Takahashi
- Special Postdoctoral Researcher
- Pinaki Bhusan De
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Somsuvra Banerjee
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Yushu Jin
- Postdoctoral Researcher
Careers
Position | Deadline |
---|---|
Seeking Postdoctoral Researchers (W22285) | Open until filled |
Contact Information
Bioscience Building, 2F, room N211,
2-1 Hirosawa,
Wako, Saitama
351-0198, Japan
Email: laurean.ilies [at] riken.jp