Research Should Be Fresh, Simple, and Clear

Overview | TOC | Preface | Links

Ryoji Noyori
Research Should Be Fresh, Simple, and Clear
(Lives in Chemistry – Lebenswerke in der Chemie)
346 pp, 316 fig., hardcover, in slipcase, 39.80 €
ISBN 978-3-86225-135-3
_{(To be released in June 2025)}
Autobiography of Ryoji Noyori, Nobel laureate in catalysis, shaped by postwar Japan, global science, and civic responsibility.

Essentials

Prologue

1  Where did I come from?
1.1  Memories of my childhood
1.2  A mischievous city kid
1.3  Helping in the family
1.4  My parents
1.5  My admiration for Professor Yukawa
1.6  Feeling the power of chemistry
1.7  The importance of physical strength and academic capability

2  Entering Kyoto University in the Sputnik Year
2.1  Moving from Kobe to Kyoto in 1957
2.2  Joining Keiiti Sisido’s laboratory of organic chemistry in 1960
2.3  My first research topic: o-xylylene chemistry (1960 – 1966)
2.4  The “immortal Noyori” survives an explosion.
2.5  Reflecting on Japan’s organic chemistry in the early 1960s
2.6  Implications of molecular catalysis
2.7  Asymmetric catalysis with chiral organometallic molecular compounds
2.8  Birth of asymmetric catalysis with chiral organometallic compounds (1966 – 1968)
2.9  The asymmetric carbene reaction
2.10  Challenging a famous statement of Louis Pasteur
2.11  Primitive asymmetric organometallic alkylation (1968 – 1971)
2.12  Photochemistry of cyclic enones (1965 – 1975)
2.13  Receiving my PhD (Dr. Eng.) degree
2.14  Kyoto’s Hanamachi district as a cultural classroom

3  Starting an Independent Career at Nagoya University
3.1  An invitation from Nagoya University
3.2  Meeting a giant in natural products organic chemistry
3.3  My memories with Satoru Masamune
3.4  Launching the Noyori Laboratory (1968)
3.5  Photo-induced Nazarov chemistry (1968 – 1975)
3.6  Lessons of transition-metal effects on reactive intermediates (1968)

4  A postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University
4.1  Joining E. J. Corey’s group at Harvard (1969 – 70)
4.2  Prostaglandin synthesis and hydrogenation
4.3  My astonishment in encountering world-leading chemists
4.4  Experiencing the stimulating American society
4.5  A memorable one-month vacation
4.6  My lab in Japan

5  Three decades of OMCOS research at Nagoya
5.1  Fe carbonyl-promoted [3+4] and [3+2] cyclo-coupling reactions (1968 – 1984)
5.2  Transition metal catalysis of strained hydrocarbons: implications in olefin metathesis (1968 – 1982)
5.3  Starting with binaphthol chemistry: BINAL-H asymmetric   reductions (1976 – 1980)
5.4  Determination of the enantiomeric ratio in the 1970s
5.5  Prostaglandin synthesis (1976 – 1989)
5.6  Transition metal catalyzed transformations of endoperoxides and epoxides (1979 – 1990)
5.7  Chemistry of enolates: stereoselectivity in aldol reactions (the mid-1970s – the late 1990s)
5.8  Catalysis with organic and inorganic silicon compounds (1979 – 1988)
5.9  Nucleic acid synthesis employing organometallic chemistry (1983 – 1992)
5.10  Organometallic asymmetric alkylation (1983 – 1985)
5.11  Nonclassical chemistry with the oldest organometallics: Chirality transfer, multiplication, and amplification (1986 – 2000)

6  BINAP for Asymmetric Catalysis
6.1  Axially dissymmetric BINAP — why and how? (1974 – 1977)
6.2  Asymmetric synthesis of amino acids by BINAP-Rh(I) catalyzed AH (1977 – 1980): A momentary joy followed by a nightmare
6.3  A gift in return: Industrial asymmetric menthol synthesis (1982)     157
6.4  Chiral molecular catalysts: Beyond their shape (1986 – 2003)
6.5  Switching from Rh to Ru catalysts in asymmetric hydrogenation (since 1986)
6.5.1  General asymmetric hydrogenation of functionalized olefins: Significance of metallic elements
6.5.2  AH of functionalized ketones

7  My way to green catalysis
7.1  The ERATO project with generous funding (1991 – 1996)
7.2  Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (1992 – 1996)
7.3  Advent of Ru-BINAP/diamine catalysts for AH (1995 – )
7.4  Green chemistry: A responsible science for future generations (1992 – )
7.5  Asymmetric catalysis in the real world

8  The Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2001)
8.1  A phone call from the Swedish Academy of Sciences
8.2  The Nobel Week in Stockholm
8.3  Nobel Symposia on Asymmetric Synthesis
8.4  A tribute to K. Barry Sharpless
8.5  How I was honored
8.6  Molecular beauty of BINAP
8.7  Cultural heritage nurtures scientific creativity

9  Noyori, the chemist and Japanese citizen
9.1  Born and raised in Japan
9.2  Expressing my gratitude to my allies
9.3  Leading The Society of Organic Synthesis, Japan
9.4  The role of awards in science
9.5  The Emperor as a scientist
9.6  Roles in academic administration and my Presidency at RIKEN
9.7  Nothing comes from nothing — thoughts about the future
9.8  My message to students and young researchers:

Appendix
Epilogue — Facts are the enemy of truth
Author’s Family
Acknowledgement
Afterword by Eiji Noyori — The art of hexagons: memories with my father
Glossary
Abbreviations
Vita
Chemistree
Holographs
Publications
Table of contents
Links and literature
Image sources
Index

Overview | TOC | Preface | Links

Research Should Be Fresh, Simple, and Clear

Table of Contents