Catalysis Science Laboratory

Molecular catalyst research has resulted in the creation of tailor-made catalysts as a result of being able to freely design the molecular structure of the catalysts.

Most notably, Mitsui Chemicals' catalyst research has made great advances in the field of olefin polymerization with its metallocene catalysts and phenoxy-imine (FI) catalysts which are capable of creating new value-added olefin-based functional materials. Recently, ligand design and precision synthesis technologies have resulted in the development of functional elastomers, vinyl-terminated low-molecular weight PE, ultra-high molecular weight PE, ultra-fine-particle PE, and olefin block copolymers which have been nearly impossible to synthesize using conventional catalyst systems.

Additionally, Mitsui has developed an environmentally friendly phosphazene (PZN) catalyst that does not contain any metallic atoms. This catalyst is new in that it is reactive under mild conditions, and provides a new process for the manufacture of urethane materials

In research on heterogeneous catalysts, we are now developing catalysts that will be useful in the manufacture of basic chemicals such as olefins and aromatics, that will be able to reduce costs, and have less environmental impact, by employing techniques such as the "reaction selectivity from pore and surface structure" and the "simple separation of product and catalyst". We are also creating high-performance photocatalysts that use light energy to break down harmful substances, catalysts for decomposition of dioxins, and methanol reforming catalysts for the manufacture of clean hydrogen fuel.

We are also busy developing mesoporous material with pores on a nano-level that has characteristics not even seen in zeolite, which only has pores on a micro-level (<1nm). Additionally, we have catalyst carriers and materials that possess water stability, acidity and water repellency.

In our biocatalyst research, utilizing the high selectivity and reactivity of enzyme catalysts, we have successfully developed innovative process for the production of useful materials. By identifying enzymes that suit our purposes and designing them based on computational science, and by using a variety of microbial mutation technologies, we have been able to create a variety of highly functional enzymes. To date, we have created products such as acrylamide resin monomers and amino acids used as pharmaceutical intermediates. We are also actively working on the development of new material conversion technologies enabling the utilization of inedible resources.