Lee Group

The Lee Group develops catalytic methodologies for organic synthesis using functionalised materials, with focus on CO₂ functionalisation, desalination and CO₂-mediated organic synthesis.

Research focus

The group works with organic synthesis, catalysis, materials chemistry and methodology development. The research focuses on functionalised materials and catalytic processes with relevance to CO₂ conversion, desalination and organic transformations.

  • CO₂ capture and functionalisation
    Catalytic approaches to transforming CO₂ into useful chemicals.
  • Desalination and water purification
    Functionalised organic materials, organic porous polymers and membrane systems for desalination processes.
  • CO₂-mediated organic synthesis
    Use of CO₂ as an additive and/or catalyst in organic transformations.
  • Asymmetric and organometallic catalysis
    Development of catalytic methodologies for enantioselective synthesis.
  • Porous materials and fluorination
    Project areas that include heavy metal extraction and fluorination.

Group leader

Research

The Lee Group aims to develop new catalytic methodologies for organic synthesis using state-of-the-art functionalised materials. 

The group’s research includes CO₂ functionalisation, desalination and CO₂-mediated organic synthesis.

The group’s research is organised around three areas

More than 13 gigatonnes of CO₂ are released annually into the atmosphere as a result of fossil fuel combustion, causing climate change and ocean acidification.

In addition to carbon-capturing processes, CO₂ functionalisation using a catalytic process is a way to create more valuable resources to compensate for the input energy in the conversion process. This work implies that industrial waste, namely CO₂, can be transformed into industrially useful chemicals, serving as a fuel source.

The group is also highly focused on the development of asymmetric catalytic protocols utilising CO₂. This methodology development may be beneficial to understanding the origin of chirality on Earth.

By taking advantage of knowledge in organo- and organometallic asymmetric catalysis, the group develops synthetic methodology for constructing small, large and complex molecules in an enantioselective fashion from carbon dioxide.

The increasing scarcity of potable water has emphasised the importance of seawater desalination as a primary means to obtain an ample and safe fresh water supply.

Recent global climate changes are accelerating the unpredictability of secure water supply sources, even in developed countries, and threatening society’s sustainable growth. Seawater is a seemingly limitless water source, but obtaining energy-efficient desalination processes is a formidable challenge.

The group aims at facile desalination processes using functionalised organic materials, organic porous polymers and membrane systems.

Kinetic and thermodynamic control of organic reactions provides a general tool for organic synthesis.

Carbon dioxide, although thermodynamically stable, can be a beneficial additive and/or catalyst for organic transformation as a Lewis and Brønsted acid precursor.

The group investigates the utility of CO₂ as a general catalyst providing chemo- and enantioselectivity by manipulating transition states and the thermodynamic stability of desired products.

Web of Science

Google Scholar

ORCI

Projects

Projects in the group cover topics in organic chemistry, organic synthesis, materials chemistry and methodology development.

Project areas include:

  • CO₂ capture and functionalisation
  • desalination and water purification
  • porous materials for heavy metal extraction
  • asymmetric and organometallic catalysis
  • fluorination

Contact

Ji-Woong Lee
Associate Professor
  • Job responsibility
    Group leader