Inorganic Chemistry of the Next Generation 　 　There is much focus recently on complex molecules with metal elements, and their reactivity, structure, and physical characteristics. Cancer-treating platinum complexes, enzymes with trace metal in the active center, the biological impact of materials, materials taking advantage of catalysts used in chemical engineering or the characteristics of metal, and creation of new functional materials are some of the important advancements in how metal-based materials can be used.

New compound linked by linear-structured silver

Physical Chemistry of Nanocrystals 　Common materials show completely different characteristics in the nano-world. Gold, for example, gives out a seductive shine and shows electric conductivity, but in the nano-world, gold turns red and becomes a semi-conductor or insulator, depending on its size. This is because the behavior of conduction electrons in the gold nanocrystal has changed. By chemically controlling the size and shape of metals, semi-conductors, and other inorganic nanocrystals in the nano-world and clarifying its characteristics from the behavior of electrons, we can develop new functional materials, contributing greatly to the advancement of nanotechnology.

5.7nm-diameter gold nanoparticle 2D array structure

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The Frontier in Organic Chemistry 　 　Organic chemistry investigates molecules structured mainly with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elements. There has been much research on integrating metal atoms into organic compounds, with a dramatic increase in the flexibility to design new compounds. These newly created organic metal compounds have unique structures, which are expected to lead to new types of functional materials. They are becoming one of the main topics in modern chemistry. 　Scientists have always sought to create beautifully structured molecules, and one of the new molecules synthesized by the techniques of chemistry is the dendrimer, a tree-like array of atoms. By replacing elements with silicon, special functions such as photoreactivity, heat decomposition, and conductivity are realized, expanding the dreams of researchers even further.

Fine Organic Synthesis 　Organic compounds have a 3D structure, and there are stereoisomers for many organic compounds, which are different in the 3D arrangement of atoms. The effectiveness of medical drugs depends on the stereoisomers, so fine organic synthesis for each stereoisomer and selective synthesis of stereoisomers and regioisomers are crucial to drug development. Fine organic synthesis is the creation of compounds according to accurate molecular design theory, based on strictly defined three dimensional structures.