Research Interests

Organic solid-state chemistry offers avenues for unique functional properties and fascinating molecular structures. Of particular interest are crystalline organic materials that are bound exclusively by the weakest intermolecular interactions—London dispersion forces. By precisely controlling these weak interactions and combining multiple molecules within one crystalline entity, it should be possible to create materials with intriguing material properties. Such investigations will also expand the concept of organic crystal towards doped-organic crystalline materials—a class of materials already of interest for medicines but also holds significance for materials science.

Methods and Techniques

Organic synthesis, crystal growth, X-ray diffraction, synchrotron, crystallography, quantum chemical calculations,

Key Publications

Herbert, B.; Walpuski, J.; Stolte, M.; Shoyama, K. Designing Organic π-Conjugated Molecules for Crystalline Solid Solutions: Adamantane-Substituted Naphthalenes. ChemPlusChem 2024, e202300761. https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202300761.

Zhu, C.; Shoyama, K.; Niyas, M. A.; Würthner, F. Supramolecular Substructure of C₆₀-Embedded Schwarzite. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144 (36), 16282–16286. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c06933.

Mahl, M.; Niyas, M. A.; Shoyama, K.; Würthner, F. Multilayer Stacks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Nat. Chem. 2022, 14 (4), 457–462. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-021-00861-5.

Shoyama, K.; Würthner, F. Synthesis of a Carbon Nanocone by Cascade Annulation. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141 (33), 13008–13012. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.9b06617.

Guo, Y.; Shoyama, K.; Sato, W.; Matsuo, Y.; Inoue, K.; Harano, K.; Liu, C.; Tanaka, H.; Nakamura, E. Chemical Pathways Connecting Lead(II) Iodide and Perovskite via Polymeric Plumbate(II) Fiber. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137 (50), 15907–15914. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5b10599.