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Transition Metal Complex Chemistry Lab
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A lab taking on difficult reactions with "clusters," assemblies of metal atoms.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring the realm between atoms and the nanoscale
The Transition Metal Complex Chemistry Lab studies "clusters," compounds in which many metal atoms work together.
Clusters behave differently from both complexes of one or two atoms and larger nanoparticles.
The lab develops synthetic methods that assemble clusters exactly as intended at the atomic level, and aims to apply them to difficult reactions such as the reduction of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
The goal is to lead to efficient energy storage and new ways of producing substances.
Key terms
- Cluster
- A molecule made of several atoms gathered together, intermediate between a molecule of one or two atoms and a nanoparticle
- Complex
- A compound formed when surrounding molecules or ions bind to a metal atom
- Catalyst
- A substance that stays unchanged itself while altering the pathway of a reaction to make it proceed more easily
NewsLab news
Study on the synthesis and reactivity of nickel clusters published in Nature Communications
Doctoral student wins poster award at the Symposium on Coordination Chemistry
Doctoral student wins poster award at the 57th Young Researchers' Meeting on Organometallic Chemistry
Study on nanosized iron clusters published in J. Am. Chem. Soc.
ResearchResearch themes
Creating efficient energy storage systems and new processes for producing substances are major challenges that call for contributions from chemists. The lab develops new methods to synthesize, with atomic-level control, clusters in which multiple metal atoms work together, uses them as catalysts and functional materials, and is advancing their application to highly challenging reactions.
*Illustrative imageSolving the mystery of enzymes through chemistry
In nature, clusters in which multiple metals work together carry out difficult reactions. The lab synthesizes model clusters using its own methods and seeks to clarify how they work.
*Illustrative imageAssembling iron and cobalt
The properties of metal clusters change greatly with slight differences in structure, composition, and atomic arrangement. Starting with iron and cobalt, the lab develops reactions that assemble atoms exactly as intended.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Transition Metal Complex Chemistry Lab include faculty, researchers, administrative and technical assistants, doctoral and master's students, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorYasuhiro Ohki
- Assistant ProfessorKazuki Tanifuji
- Assistant ProfessorHitoshi Izu
- Program-Specific Assistant ProfessorSukyoung Kim
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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: “- grapes on the vine - 3 strands dangling side by side - (HiRes focus stack)” Franz van Duns / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Solving the mystery of enzymes through chemistry: “Clover root nodules” Bwiltz / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Assembling iron and cobalt: “Go” Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Organic Molecular Materials Lab): “Close UP photo of lg c1 oled” TECH EDU / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Functional Materials Design Lab): “VO2 crystal” Ding-Shyue Yang, Peter Baum, and Ahmed H. Zewail / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Quantum Materials Science Lab): “Diamond cuboctahedron” Ludvig14 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Catalytic Reaction Chemistry Lab): “SPring-8 synchrotron SP8 BL01B1” Drac2000 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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