Research Theme

Self-assembling Molecular Systems Based on Coordination Chemistry

Keywords

Self-assembly, Nano-space, Coordination Chemistry

Our laboratory is exploring the construction of new molecular materials through metal-directed self-assembly. By using coordination bonds with appropriate bond energy and well-defined geometries as the driving force of self-assembly, a variety of three-dimensional architectures have been constructed at will. Among these nanostructures, we are particularly interested in hollow frameworks with a large inner space, where new properties and functions are developed. Recent outstanding results include the self-assembly of gigantic M30L60 and M48L96 spherical complexes. We are also interested in reproducing solution reactions within the pore of self-assembled porous complexes. In due course, we have recently developed a new X-ray technique that does not require the crystallization of target compounds (crystalline sponge method). This innovative analysis method is attracting considerable interests of not only academia but also industries such as pharmaceutics and foods companies.

X-ray structure of M48L96 complex.

Selected Publications

1. D. Fujita, K. Suzuki, S. Sato, M. Yagi-Utsumi, Y. Yamaguchi, N. Mizuno, T. Kumasaka, M. Takata, M. Noda, S. Uchiyama, K. Kato, M.Fujita, “Protein encapsulation within synthetic molecular hosts” Nat. Commun. 3, 1093 (2012).
2. D. Fujita, Y. Ueda, S. Sato, H. Yokoyama, N. Mizuno, T. Kumasaka, M. Fujita, “Self-assembly of M30L60 Icocidodecahedron” Chem 1, 91–101 (2016).
3. D. Fujita, Y. Ueda, S. Sato, N. Mizuno, T. Kumasaka, M. Fujita, “Self-Assembly of Tetravalent Goldberg Polyhedra from 144 Small Components” Nature 540, 563–566 (2016).
4. Y. Matsuda, T. Mitsuhashi, S. Lee, M. Hoshino, T. Mori, M. Okada, H. Zhang, F. Hayashi, M. Fujita, I. Abe, “Astellifadiene: Structure Determination by an NMR-Coupled Crystalline Sponge Method and Elucidation of its Biosynthesis” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 55, 5785–5788 (2016).
5. D. Fujita, R. Suzuki, Y. Fujii, M. Yamada, T. Nakama, A. Matsugami, F. Hayashi, J.-K. Weng, M. Yagi-Utsumi, M. Fujita, “Protein stabilization and refolding in a gigantic self-assembled cage” Chem 7, 2672–2683 (2021).
6. T. Nakama, A. Rossen, R. Ebihara, M. Yagi-Utsumi, D. Fujita, K. Kato, S. Sato, M. Fujita, “Hysteresis behavior in the unfolding/refolding processes of a protein trapped in metallo-cages” Chem. Sci. 14, 2910–2914 (2023).