Report on the Symposium

The Second Mitsui Chemicals International Symposium on Catalysis Science (MICS2005)

Organized by: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Supported by: Chiba Prefecture / Sodegaura City / Ichihara City / Kisarazu City / Mobara City /

The Chemical Society of Japan / The Society of Polymer Science, Japan /

Catalysis Society of Japan / The Japan Petroleum Institute /

The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan / The Society of Chemical

Engineers, Japan

“Magical Power”

for Quality Life

Green Catalysts for Specialty ChemicalsMarch 22 (Tue.) – 23(Wed.), 2005Kazusa Akademia Hall (Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan)Ca. 1,200 persons from Japanese and foreign universities and industry

Theme

Date

Place

Attendance

Chairman and PresidentMitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Hiroyuki Nakanishi

Message

It is indeed a great pleasure and honor for us to have recently hosted theacademic gathering, “The Second Mitsui Chemicals InternationalSymposium on Catalysis Science”, or MICS2005.I feel that this honor owes very much to the distinguished guest speakersas well as many participants – from the industrial, governmental and aca-demic communities contributing to the development of catalysisscience–who had so kindly gathered at the Symposium from around theworld, in concurrence with the objectives of this symposium. I wish totake this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to you all for suchgreat attendance.

In the 21st century, much is being expected of science and technology tocontribute to the world’s sustainable development through making furthercontributions to peoples’ daily lives and the world’s economic as well associal progress. Advancements in catalysis science are indeed the enginedriving the creation of high-performance materials and substances whichare geared toward efficient exploitation of resources, production, usage,disposal and recycling on a global scale. In order to realize a truly affluent society, it is indispensable for the diverseindustries and businesses taking advantage of science and technology toovercome the challenge of creating new knowledge regardless of theirdomains and sectors.

The corporate vision of Mitsui Chemicals is to “contribute broadly to socie-ty by providing high-quality products and services to customers throughinnovations and creation of materials, while keeping harmony with theglobal environment.”

Development of superior catalysts not only dramatically improves produc-tivity in the chemical industry, but also significantly reduces environmentalloading. Thus, it would not be an overstatement to say that catalysis sci-ence leads the creation of new industries in the 21st century. MitsuiChemicals is indeed heavily engaged in the development of state-of-the-artcatalysts by effectively utilizing the science network which we have nur-tured and grown over the many years past.

It was with such a network as a platform, that we had hosted the FirstMitsui Chemicals International Catalysis Science Symposium, orMICS2003, in March 2003, under the theme: “Advanced Catalysts forPolymers”, with the participation of the world’s front-line catalysis scien-

tists. We are very pleased to note that MICS2003 was given high marks forproviding a very significant opportunity for R&D interchanges across orga-nizational barriers, regarding polymer catalysts giving rise to high-perform-ance materials and substances.

And so it is that Mitsui Chemicals has put together the second Symposium,MICS2005, under the leading theme: “Green Catalysts for SpecialtyChemicals”. The Symposium this time focused on catalysis science R&Din the fields of fine chemicals, pharma and crop protection, directed at gen-erating new performance materials endowed with a whole variety of func-tions and their synthesis methods, which are all together geared towardhelping society undergo sustainable development.

At the Symposium this year, we were very fortunate to welcome eight ofthe top leaders in catalyst development from Japan and abroad, represent-ing both industrial and academic communities.

I am fully delighted that the Symposium this time was once again anextremely meaningful one, owing to the exciting lectures to be given by thespeakers leading the world in catalysis science research, to the participantsbeing able to mutually appreciate the fruits of cutting-edge research incatalysis science, and to hearing straight from the lecturers about theirstance and approach to their everyday research activities.

Also, I am very pleased to note that Mitsui Chemicals has established the“Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award” designed to recognizeresearchers who have made distinguished achievements in catalysis sci-ence, and at the same to contribute to the sustainable development ofchemistry and the chemical industry.

We held the award ceremony as well as commemorative lecture by thewinners at this Symposium.

In closing, please allow me to express my sincere hope that thisSymposium would serve as a forum of extensive as well as intensive inter-change among researchers from around the world and an excellent oppor-tunity for creating new knowledge in the realm of catalysis science con-tributing to the development of an affluent society through the creation ofhigh-performance materials and substances.

Toward Contributing to the Progress of the Truly Affluent Society with theDevelopment of Superior Catalysts ~Catalysis Science to Create New Industries for the 21st Century~`

Program

March 22Tue.

Opening Remarks10:00-10:10

MICS2005 Commemorative Banquet18:30-20:30

10:10-11:10

Prof. K. Barry Sharpless (The Scripps Research Institute, U.S.A.)

An Asymmetric Odyssey Leading Back to Its Port of Origin

Dr. Akira Fujishima (Kanagawa Academy of Science & Technology, Japan)

TiO2 Photocatalysis: Present Situation and Future Direction

Dr. Patrick R. Gruber (NatureWorks LLC, U.S.A.)

Chemicals from Renewable Resources

Prof. Roger A. Sheldon (Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)

Green Chemistry and Catalysisfor the Sustainable Production of Specialty Chemicals

Prof. Tsutomu Katsuki (Kyushu University, Japan)

A Study Aiming for Environmentally Benign Reactions

Prof. Eric N. Jacobsen(Harvard University, U.S.A.)

Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies in Asymmetric Catalysis

Prof. Richard R. Schrock (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A.)

Chemistry of High Oxidation StateMolybdenum and Tungsten Complexes that Contain a Multiple Metal-Carbon Bond

Dr. Tadahito Nobori (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Japan)

Development of New Phosphazene Catalysts and the Industrial Applications

Prof. Eric N. Jacobsen (Harvard University, U.S.A.)

A Search for Selective yet General Catalysts

Prof. Shu Kobayashi (The University of Tokyo, Japan)

Development of Novel Catalysts Directed toward Environmentally Benign Organic Synthesis

11:15-12:00

13:30-14:15

15:30-16:15

16:15-17:35

14:15-15:00

Invited lectures

Ceremony of “Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award”and Commemorative lectures

March 23Wed.

Closing Remarks12:15-12:20

Site TourMitsui Chemicals SodegauraResearch Center and Ichihara Works

14:00-16:30

10:00-10:45

10:45-11:30

11:30-12:15

2005

Plenary lecture

Invited lectures

A world-famous chemist that has contributed to olefin metathesischemistry in large measure for the wider organometallic, inorganic,polymer or material community to benefit from discovery of Schrockcatalysts through his creativity.

Prof. Richard R. Schrock(Massachusetts Institute of Technology,U.S.A.)

The leading scientist in the field of asymmetric synthesis. Currentlyfocusing on green-sustainable chemistry with originally designedphotoactivated complexes for selective aerobic oxidations.

Prof. TsutomuKatsuki(Kyushu University, Japan)

Numbering among the researchers contributing most the develop-ment of organic synthesis. Stand foremost the development of prac-tical enantioselective catalysts for useful asymmetric reactions suchas epoxidation, kinetic resolution, and C-C bond formation.

Prof. Eric N. Jacobsen(Harvard University, U.S.A.)

The 2001 Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry for developing the high-ly selective and versatile catalytic asymmetric oxidations. Theseprocesses have been widely utilized for the synthesis of a variety ofoptical active compounds.

Prof. K. Barry Sharpless(The Scripps Research Institute, U.S.A.)

An Asymmetric Odyssey Leading Back to Its Port of Origin

Plenary lecture

Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies in Asymmetric Catalysis

Invited lecture

Chemistry of High Oxidation StateMolybdenum and Tungsten Complexes thatContain a Multiple Metal-Carbon Bond

Invited lecture

A Study Aiming for Environmentally Benign Reactions

Invited lecture

Green Catalysts for SpecialtyChemicals

Lectures“The Second Mitsui Chemicals International Symposium on Catalysis Science” (MICS2005) celebrated itsopening with the welcome message by Dr. Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Chairman and President of Mitsui Chemicals,Inc., on March 22, 2005, under the leading theme: “Green Catalysts for Specialty Chemicals.” Prof. K. Barry Sharpless of The Scripps Research Institute of the United States, the Nobel laureate for chem-istry in 2001, delivered the plenary lecture. The Invited Lectures were featured by seven of the world’s front-line researchers invited from the industrial, governmental and academic communities from Japan and abroad.

Development of New Phosphazene Catalystsand the Industrial Applications

Invited lecture

TiO2 Photocatalysis: Present Situation and Future Direction

Invited lecture

Green Chemistry and Catalysis for the Sustainable Production of Specialty Chemicals

Invited lecture

Chemicals from Renewable Resources

Invited lecture

A pioneer in green chemistry who developed the E-factor for assess-ing the enviromental impact of chemical processes. Also an experton catalytic methods – homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymat-ic – for fine chemicals.

Prof. Roger A. Sheldon(Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands)

A pioneering researcher in photo-catalysts. He discovered TiO2

catalysis which is the decomposition of water into molecular hydro-gen and oxygen under photo-irradiation, being well-known as “TheHonda-Fujishima Effect”.

Dr. Akira Fujishima(Kanagawa Academy of Science & Technology, Japan)

First in the world, his work has shown that it is possible to makechemicals and polymers, such as lactic acid polymer, using indus-trial biotechnology at world scale from renewable resources whileachieving a reduced environmental footprint compared to petro-chemical based products.

Dr. Patrick R. Gruber(NatureWorks LLC, U.S.A.)

Through designing and synthetic research of cationic species(countercations) he found a salient role on the reactivity and selec-tivity in many anionic reactions. Several new functional materialsare created by applying nonmetallic catalysts comprising the cation-ic species.

Dr. Tadahito Nobori(Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Japan)

T

Green Catalysts for SpecialtyChemicals

Mitsui Chemicals has newly established the “Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award” with the aim of con-tributing to the sustainable development of chemistry and the chemical industry, in order to give special recog-nition to researchers who have made distinguished achievements in catalysis science. Being the company’sfirst Catalysis Science Award this time, which consists of “Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award” and“Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award of Encouragement,” two award-winners were selected for eachaward respectively. The Symposium included the Prize-giving Ceremony, followed by the CommemorativeLectures by the winners of “Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award.”

Prof.Eric N. Jacobsen(Harvard University, U.S.A.)

The Winners of "Mitui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award"

The Winners of "Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award of Encouragement"

Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Science Award

Prof.Shu Kobayashi(The University of Tokyo, Japan)

Associate Prof.Ryoichi Kuwano(Kyushu University)

Associate Prof.Kenichiro Itami(Nagoya University)

General Asymmetric Catalysts for Oxidation,Hydrolysis, and C-C Bond-forming ReactionsProfessor Jacobsen has formulated several key principles in asym-metric catalysis: these principles can be applied in industriallyimportant target molecules.

Development of New Asymmetric Catalysis and Transition Metal-Catalyzed ReactionsProfessor Kuwano has developed a new chiral phosphine ligand,

whose trans-chelation property was essential for the high degree ofchirality.

Removable Directing Group Strategy in Metal CatalysisProfessor Itami has developed removable directing groups, particu-

larly in palladium catalyzed reaction and has succeeded in enhanc-ing the efficiency of organic synthesis.

Development of Novel Catalysts Directed toward Environmentally Benign Organic SynthesisProfessor Kobayashi has developed new organic reactions using

water as a solvent, by inventing the water-stable Lewis acid, whichindicates a new direction for environmentally benign research forprocesses.

Topics

MICS2005 Commemorative BanquetThe company hosted the CommemorativeBanquet on the first evening of theSymposium with the attendance of some 300guests including lecturers, supporting organi-zations as well as researchers in the industrial,governmental and academic communitiesfrom Japan and abroad. To start with, Dr.Nakanishi made his greeting as the Host of theBanquet to express his utmost thanks to allthe people who had kindly supported theSymposium. Following this, Madam Akiko Domoto,Governor of Chiba Prefecture, Mr. Teo MingKian, Chairman of Economic DevelopmentBoard of Singapore and Dr. Shinji Murai,President of the Chemical Society of Japangave congratulatory speeches on behalf of theguests of honor. Also, Dr. Murai introducedMr. Kyohei Kanomata of Soka High School,Tokyo and Mr. Toshiaki Nagata of Kaisei HighSchool, Tokyo, who will participate inInternational Chemistry Olympiad 2005 to beheld in Taiwan in July.Mr. Hironori Hara, who was the only high-school student to participate in MICS2003,gave a fascinating speech. After raising a toast by Dr. Kohichi Segawa,former Chairperson of Catalysis Society ofJapan, all the attendees at the Banquet startedsocializing with one another. The joyous eventincluded the musical performance by a groupof traditional Japanese music ensemble fromSodegaura City and lasted about two hours byoffering the opportunity for the attendees todeepen mutual relationships to the fullest.

Dr. Nakanishi during his greeting at MICS2005 Commemorative Banquet Mr. Teo Ming Kian, Chairman of the EconomicDevelopment Board (EDB) of Singapore

Governor Domoto of Chiba Prefecture

Toast by Dr. Segawa, former Chairperson,Catalysis Society of Japan

Mr. Hara, the only high-school student who also attendedMICS2003

Traditional Japanese Music Ensemble “Sankyoku Mutsumi-no-Kai”of Sodegaura City

President Murai of the Chemical Society of Japan (Left) introduces Mr. Kanomata (Center) and Mr. Nagata (Right), the Representatives of Japan atInternational Chemistry Olympiad 2005.

I would like to express my highest appreciation toeveryone for having led the Symposium to a greatsuccess. Prior to hosting the second catalysis science sym-

posium this time, we requested the world’s front-line researchers including Prof. K. Barry Sharplessto deliver lectures for us. Fortunately, all the guestlecturers highly valued the purpose of thisSymposium and kindly accepted our request forattendance.

Also, we established “Mitsui Chemicals CatalysisScience Award” last year with the aim of con-tributing to the sustainable development of chem-istry and the chemical industry and held theAwards Ceremony as well as the CommemorativeLectures by the winners at the Symposium thistime.

The Symposium enjoyed the large turnout fromthe industrial, governmental and academic com-

munities from Japan and abroad, including a fami-ly with a high-school boy and a junior high-schoolgirl who found about the Symposium via the com-pany’s website.

Thus, I deem that the second holding of theSymposium is becoming broadly established as aforum to foster the next-generation personneltoward the development of science and technologyas well as to discover the wonder of science.

Making the success of the Symposium afoothold, I strongly wish to continue holding theMICS symposium series for years to come toestablish the event to be a forum for stimulatingactive interchanges among the world’s researchersin the field and the creation of new knowledge.

In closing, many thanks again to all the partici-pants and the concerned parties who had givengreat support and cooperation for the sake of thesuccessful conclusion of the Symposium.

Aiming at Establishing a Forum for Stimulating Active Interchanges among the World’s Researchers and the Creation of New Knowledge

Managing DirectorCenter Executive, R&DCenter

AkihiroYamaguchi

Topics Site Tour

Immediately following the closing of all thesessions of the Symposium, the Site Tour toMitsui Chemicals Sodegaura ResearchCenter and Mitsui Chemicals Ichihara Workswas held for academic visitors. The SiteTour mainly consisted of a brief introductionto the facilities via VTR, the tours to show-rooms with the display of the company’sproducts and the visit to the metallocene-catalysis petrochemical plant. The visitorsasked various questions through the produc-tive Site Tour, which triggered the opportuni-ty for the visitors to deepen the knowledgeabout Mitsui Chemicals.

Commemorating MICS2005

MITSUI CHEMICALS,INC. Corporate Communication Div. TEL:+81-3-6253-2100 URL:http://www.mitsui-chem.co.jp

At MICS2005, the company had the honorto have the plenary lecture by Prof. K.Barry Sharpless, the Nobel chemistry lau-reate for 2001, and named the LectureHall at the company's Sodegaura R&DCenter “Dr. K. Barry Sharpless Hall” incommemoration of the honorable event.