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Sunada Lab
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The lab builds metal clusters with a precisely controlled number and arrangement of metal atoms, and puts them to use as catalysts.
AboutAbout the lab
Precisely assembling many transition metals to create new functions.
The Sunada Lab studies the synthesis of metal clusters, which are assemblies of metal atoms, and of metal complexes.
Nano-sized metal compounds show special properties that depend on their size, and are attracting attention as next-generation functional compounds.
Using a template synthesis method that the lab developed itself, the lab builds clusters with a precisely controlled number, arrangement, and size of metal atoms, and explores their functions, including catalysis.
The lab also aims to develop processes that use metals such as iron as catalysts, without relying on precious metals, to help solve problems of resources, the environment, and energy.
Key terms
- Metal cluster
- A molecule-sized assembly formed by a small number of metal atoms
- Complex
- A compound in which other molecules or ions (ligands) are bound around a metal atom or ion
- Main-group element
- A group of elements on both sides of the periodic table. It includes silicon and carbon, and is distinguished from transition metals
NewsLab news
A review on complex synthesis using silyl anions accepted by Chem. Eur. J.
A paper by a master's student accepted by Chin. J. Chem.
A paper by a doctoral student accepted by Organometallics
A paper by a doctoral student and an assistant professor accepted by Chemical Science
A master's student won a Poster Award at the Symposium of the Silicon Chemistry Society
ResearchResearch themes
Using its original template synthesis method, the lab precisely designs and synthesizes metal clusters with the size, structure, and arrangement of metal atoms best suited to bringing out their functions, and explores a wide range of functions, including catalysis. The lab also creates highly reactive complexes and clusters that combine main-group elements such as silicon with transition metals, and is developing chemical transformation methods that use them as catalysts.
*Illustrative imageMetal clusters with a controlled number and arrangement of atoms
This research creates metal clusters in which the number and arrangement of metal atoms and the size of the molecule are precisely controlled, and brings out their functions. The special properties that appear depending on size are put to use for targeted functions.
*Illustrative imageTemplate-based cluster synthesis
The lab synthesizes organic compounds that serve as templates for gathering metal atoms, and uses them to build metal cluster molecules with precision. Using a cyclic organosilicon compound as the template, the lab has succeeded in synthesizing a nanosheet molecule in which palladium atoms are arranged in a plane.
*Illustrative imageClusters as catalysts
The lab develops the use of transition metal clusters as catalysts and their applications to functional materials. The lab has found that even a very small number of palladium atoms, if arranged appropriately, shows high catalytic activity comparable to that of nanoparticles.
*Illustrative imageCooperation between main-group elements and transition metals
By combining main-group elements such as silicon with transition metals, the lab creates highly reactive complexes and clusters using its own methods. In particular, the lab aims to develop chemical transformation methods that use iron and other metals as catalysts without relying on precious metals.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Sunada Lab consist of faculty, dispatched staff, doctoral and master's students, research students, and research trainees.As of 2026
- ProfessorYusuke SunadaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorYoshimasa WadaPublications ↗
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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: “(Cp'3Sm)2(bpy) crystals” Brian N. Long, María J. Beltrán-Leíva, Joseph M. Sperling, Todd N. Poe, Cristian Celis-Barros & Thomas E. Albrecht-Schönzart / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Metal clusters with a controlled number and arrangement of atoms: “Octachlorotrimetallate-3D-bs-20” Ben Mills / Public domain (cropped)
- Template-based cluster synthesis: “Gas line IMG 20230205” Jonathansammy / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Clusters as catalysts: “Tetrarhodium-dodecacarbonyl-from-xtal-173K-3D-balls-A” Ben Mills / Public domain (cropped)
- Cooperation between main-group elements and transition metals: “Sample of iron pentacarbonyl” Smokefoot / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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- Related lab (機能性錯体化学研究室
（石井研究室） ): “Phthalocyanine-3D-balls” Jynto (talk) / CC0 (cropped) - Related lab (西林研究室): “Deutsches Chemie-Museum Merseburg, Ammoniak-Synthesekammer (2014)” Reinhard Ferdinand / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (藤田研究室): “Fujita Asymmetric 2+2 Photoaddition Catalyst” Vsrisuknimit / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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