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Research Programs
1. First-low transition metal-hydride catalysis
Compared with precious metals, first-row transition metals offer important advantages in terms of earth abundance and sustainability. Our research focuses on developing new transition-metal hydride catalytic reactions based on first-row metals, particularly cobalt, nickel, and copper. Through these efforts, we aim to develop new synthetic methods that transform abundant and readily available olefin feedstocks into diverse value-added compounds.
2. Enantioselective catalysis
Asymmetric synthesis has become an essential tool in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, natural products, and functional materials. Developing new catalytic methods that enable previously difficult or inaccessible stereoselective transformations is therefore of great importance. Our research focuses on chiral transition-metal hydride catalysis to develop new asymmetric hydrofunctionalization reactions of olefins, providing efficient access to valuable chiral molecules.
3. Metallaelectro-catalysis
Although organic electrochemistry has been known for more than a century, it has recently re-emerged as a powerful strategy that offers new opportunities to reshape conventional paradigms in organic synthesis. Our research integrates electrochemical oxidation with transition-metal hydride catalysis to develop new synthetic transformations. In particular, we aim to develop oxidative olefin hydrofunctionalization reactions that enable the use of a broad range of nucleophiles that are otherwise difficult to engage in conventional transition-metal hydride catalysis.
4. Organofluorine chemistry
Fluorinated compounds are widespread in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, as the incorporation of fluorine can impart unique properties, such as enhanced lipophilicity, to organic molecules. Accordingly, the number of fluorine-containing small molecules among FDA-approved drugs has steadily increased. These features have created a strong demand for new synthetic methods that enable the selective introduction of fluorine at desired positions within molecules. Our research focuses on developing transition-metal-catalyzed fluorination reactions using nucleophilic fluoride sources, providing efficient and practical routes to valuable fluorinated compounds.
Facilities
To efficiently carry out the research projects described above, our group employs high-throughput experimentation (HTE) as a key research strategy. We participate in the SRC–Asymmetric Catalysis Design Center (ACDC), funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), and the Chiral Materials Core Facility Center, supported by the National Research Facilities & Equipment Center (NFEC). Through these research centers, we have access to advanced instrumentation and infrastructure that enable the efficient implementation of HTE workflows, from rapid reaction screening to high-throughput analysis.
Research set-up tools
Analytical suite
RS-2023-00219859
NRF-2022R1A6C101A751
RS-2025-02413546
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