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Isobe Lab
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The lab creates molecules shaped like nanocarbons to explore the connection between physics and chemistry.
AboutAbout the lab
In pursuit of new molecular forms.
The Isobe Lab works in the field of "physical organic chemistry," exploring the connection between physics and chemistry through the language of molecules.
Building on the design and synthesis of molecules, the lab seeks to open up fields at the boundary with nanoscience and materials science.
A representative subject of study is "nanocarbon molecules," synthesized aromatic molecules that mimic the shapes of nanocarbons such as carbon nanotubes.
The lab also works on developing new methodologies and delivering tools and materials that can be used in other research as well.
Key terms
- Nanocarbon
- Substances made only of carbon, with a size on the nanometer scale (one billionth of a meter). An example is the tubular carbon nanotube.
- Aromatic molecule
- A family of molecules that contain hexagonal rings of carbon, like benzene. They are a central subject of organic chemistry.
- Supramolecular complex
- An assembly formed when multiple molecules come together through forces weaker than chemical bonds.
NewsLab news
A paper in Chemistry – An Asian Journal was selected as a Top Viewed Article 2025
An undergraduate student received the Chemistry Department Chair's Award for their graduation research presentation
Research results were featured on the cover of Chemical Science
A student received a Student Presentation Award at the 105th Spring Annual Meeting of the Chemical Society of Japan
Research results were featured on the cover of Chemical Science
ResearchResearch themes
Based on the design and synthesis of molecules, the lab is pioneering boundary areas with nanoscience and materials science. It creates original molecules shaped like nanocarbons and explores what can be learned from them, while also producing new methodologies, tools, and materials that can be used in other research.
*Illustrative imageMolecules That Mimic Nanocarbons
Nanocarbons made by physical methods are obtained as mixtures. The lab aims to give them well-defined structures and shapes by using synthesized molecules. As "new aromatic molecules" with three-dimensionally curved structures and high symmetry, they are beginning to show interesting properties in materials science and in the physical properties of molecules.
*Illustrative imageDetermining the Ratio in Which Molecules Assemble
The lab studies methods for determining the stoichiometry of supramolecular complexes, in which multiple molecules assemble through weak forces, that is, in what ratio the molecules come together. Prompted by a newly synthesized cage-shaped molecule, the lab found that the van 't Hoff plot of 1884 can serve as a clue to solving this difficult problem.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Isobe Lab consist of faculty, technical assistants, secretaries, visiting researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorHiroyuki IsobePublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorKoki IkemotoPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorToshiya M. FukunagaPublications ↗
- Project Assistant ProfessorYuki Kotani
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Carbon nanotube (8,8) 3D ball” Jynto / CC0 (cropped)
- Molecules That Mimic Nanocarbons: “Cycloparaphenylene-3D-spacefill” Jynto (talk) / CC0 (cropped)
- Determining the Ratio in Which Molecules Assemble: “Chloroform-3D-balls” Ben Mills / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamada Lab): “Potassium ferricyanide and its solution” Leiem / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Yanai Lab): “Pentacene molecule spacefill from xtal” Jynto (more from this user) / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Hitosugi Lab): “Silicium-atomes” Guillaume Baffou / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Organic Synthetic Chemistry Lab (Kobayashi Lab)): “Fluorescense Handful of light” Mateusz Urban / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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