Chemical Communications Blog

As day 2 dawned, many of the international speakers were sleep-deprived due to jet lag and the fantastic Japanese hospitality. To ensure everyone remained focused it was essential that the science was of the highest order. Delegates were not disappointed!

Toni Llobet gave an impressive presentation on ruthenium-based water oxidation catalysts. These have been attached to surfaces so they can be incorporated into devices. Toni briefly spoke about his newest system, giving the analogy of a caged lion. This certainly got the attention of the audience. The new system has been designed only to allow water oxidation and not organics due to size constraints. Furthermore, as the ruthenium molecules are anchored to a surface, they can not attack and destroy each other.

Following another hefty lunch, it was the turn of the ChemComm speakers. Associate Editor Jonathan Sessler was first up, talking about results he recently published in Science. Following Jonathan, both ChemComm speakers (Luet Wong and Adrian Mulholland) gave outstanding talks to around 150 delegates. In the latter, Adrian highlighted that quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) ‘would not save the world’ but certainly has a place in understanding reactivity, as currently the methods give good alignment with experimental data.

To finish the day, Harry Gray received the 60th Japanese Coordination Chemistry Award and spoke on the topic of electron transfer in bioinorganic chemistry. It was a beautiful talk, in Harry’s own unique style, covering 50 years of research. There were a few malfunctions with laser pointers but Felix Castellano stepped in to assist. His blue laser pointer was particularly impressive, very cool and expensive at $300.

The highlight of the day was the symposium banquet. There was plenty of great food and drink, with Harry Gray lead the celebratory opening of the saki barrel. I also enjoyed the traditional Chinese music entertainment. Thanks to the efforts of Shinobu Itoh (Dalton Transactions Regional Associate Editor for Japan) and Susumu Kitagawa (CrystEngComm Editorial Board member), RSC journals other than ChemComm were also well promoted.

The end of the banquet also marked the end to the first part of the ChemComm Symposium. Next stop Ehwa Womens University in Seoul, Korea.

Day one of the ChemComm symposium was packed with 12 talks and a two hour poster session. A good hearty breakfast was essential to ensure energy levels remained high. At breakfast I was joined by Luet Wong, ChemComm Associate Editor Jonathan Sessler and the co-organiser of the event, Wonwoo Nam. Jonathan managed to work the conversation round to the topic of beer and its importance in collaborative research – a theme that would reappear later in the day! I also received an invitation to say a few words, as Editor, at the Korean ChemComm symposium. I accepted with pleasure, although I am sure I will be be less enthusiastic on Thursday with the onset of nerves.      

Following opening remarks from organiser Professor Shunichi Fukuzumi, Gary Brudvig (Yale) discussed model systems for water splitting based on photosystems 2 (it would be highlighted later that these systems currently rank as some of the best examples in the literature). My favourite talk of the day was given by Craig Hill (Emory). Craig discussed his cobalt polyoxometalates and highlighted that these are the most effective water splitting catalysts around to date, also benefitting from the fact that they are homogenous and simple to produce. He also alluded to new cobalt catalysts that have been produced in his lab, yet to be published, that are producing even more spectacular results.

Is that water or sake Jonathan's about to drink?

After such a great day of science there was only one way to finish: a speakers dinner consisting of 12 courses lubricated with fine Japanese beer and sake. En route to the dinner I shared the lift with 15+ Japanese ladies who appeared to be at a convention in the hotel. A surreal experience where I felt like a giant!

At dinner, Jonathan Sessler continued to highlight the importance of alcohol in research. I am sure this will not be the last time we hear this…. It should be added that such a philosophy has been wonderfully supported by our hosts already. The dinner ended with a group photo and three cheers for Wonwoo Nam and Shunichi Fukuzumi led by Harry Gray. A fine end to an excellent first day.

As I set off for Japan and Korea I was eagerly looking forward to my first ChemComm symposium as Editor. At Heathrow I met up with Dr Luet Wong (University of Oxford), a speaker at the symposium, and the long trip to Osaka began (made even longer by a one hour delay for refuelling as we sat on the plane).

On arrival in Japan, the weather was grim, with low cloud and heavy rain – just what you need after a 12 hour flight. But on the plus side, the three hour journey from Tokyo to Osaka on the Bullet train was super efficient and on time to the second…just the Japanese way.

In Osaka it continued to rain contrary to the weather predictions. The hotel is fine; however, it amazes me, when WiFi is available in all McDonalds around the world, that a Sheraton hotel in a major city can not provide such a service.

Jet lag kicking in, we ventured out for dinner. With much choice, but everything in Japanese, the easy way is to just look at the pictures and plastic replicas. Despite the availability of a variety of Japanese restaurants, our final selection was a Chinese restaurant on the 12 floor of a department store. The food was great but after choosing a bottle of Chateau Bel Air, (from France and not Beverley Hills), the chilled glasses were sent back for room temperature equivalents. Alas, the wine was ice cold when delivered!

The final course of the meal was duck: four pieces of duck, enough for two, absolutely…. Unfortunately not, four pieces of duck skin, beautifully mounted on individual prawn crackers, great value at 2700 Yen (about £20).

Despite the duck, it was an excellent meal. Sensibly I retired to bed early in anticipation of a packed first day of stimulating lectures ahead…..