水中での化学合成を革新!~カーボンナノチューブが触媒の「優秀なパートナー」となる~

2025-09-16 東京大学

東京大学の北之園拓助教、小林修特任教授らの研究チームは、水中での触媒的不斉合成を実現する新技術を開発した。従来のキラルルイス酸触媒は水中で失活しやすく、強固な共有結合による固定化が必要だったが、設計が複雑化する問題があった。本研究では、日本で量産化された単層カーボンナノチューブ(SWNT)を利用し、触媒を非共有結合的に安定固定化。π−π相互作用により電子状態が制御され、水中でも高い触媒活性と選択性を発揮し、10回の再使用でも性能を維持した。SWNTは単なる支持体ではなく触媒機能を補助する「能動的パートナー」として働くことが示され、他の炭素材料より優位性を持つことも確認された。本成果は環境に優しいグリーンケミストリーに大きく貢献し、医薬品や高機能化学品の製造効率向上が期待される。研究結果は Chemical Science に掲載。

水中での化学合成を革新!~カーボンナノチューブが触媒の「優秀なパートナー」となる~
本研究における触媒概念図

<関連情報>

合成有機水化学のためのツールとしての単層カーボンナノチューブ上でのキラルルイス酸の非共有結合的固定化 Noncovalent immobilization of chiral Lewis acids on single-walled carbon nanotubes as a tool for synthetic organic aquachemistry

Taku Kitanosono, Satoshi Tanaka,Dongxin Zhang,Tomoya Hisada,Yasuhiro Yamashita and Shu Kobayashi
Chemical Science  Published:01 Sep 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC05390K

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were employed as anchoring tags to noncovalently immobilize Lewis acids onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). This heterogeneous system demonstrated remarkable performance in asymmetric catalysis, particularly in water devoid of organic solvents or surfactants, outperforming other carbonaceous π-materials in activity, stereoselectivity, and reusability. The use of large-diameter SWNTs modified with 4-fluorophenyl groups further enhanced catalytic activity. Notably, Sc(PyS)3-SWNT combined with a chiral modifier retained high performance without the covalent anchorage, even after multiple reuse cycles. No leaching of scandium or the chiral modifier was observed, consistent with TGA results, despite washing with solvents in which the chiral modifier is highly soluble. XPS analysis demonstrated that among the supports examined, SWNTs exhibited the most significant electron donation to the Sc and S centers, underscoring the exceptional electronic interaction responsible for the stable immobilization. Despite its high surface area and adsorption capacity, activated carbon showed poor performance and significant leaching, suggesting that electron donation from SWNTs stabilizes flexible, solution-like conformations of the Lewis acid complex, mitigating the unavoidable attenuation of Lewis acidity more effectively than other supports. This strategy also mitigates deactivation risks posed by nucleophiles such as amines, thiols, and free N–H indoles, which typically displace chiral ligands. Thus, a robust, non-covalent immobilization platform has been established, capable of delivering high activity, selectivity, and durability even in water, which is traditionally challenging for Lewis acid catalysis. This approach offers a promising pathway toward more sustainable and environmentally conscious asymmetric synthesis.

0500化学一般
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