An exciting research paper led by Professor Norio Shibata and his co-authors has been featured in Organic Letters, a distinguished scientific journal published by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and is accompanied by evocative "Supplementary Cover Art," as shown in Figure 1. The study, titled "Elemental Sulfur-Mediated Transformation of Carboxylic Acids to Acyl Fluorides by Electrophilic Fluorinating Reagent, Selectfluor," was jointly authored by Mr. Elsayed M. Mahmoud, who was in his third year in the Department of Nanopharmaceutical Sciences at the time of the research; Mr. Soichiro Mori, a second-year Master's student in the Department of Engineering, Life Science, and Applied Chemistry Program at the time of the research; Associate Professor Yuji Sumii of the Department of Engineering (Life Science and Applied Chemistry); and Professor Norio Shibata, who holds appointments in both the Department of Nanopharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Engineering (Life Science and Applied Chemistry).

Fig. 1 "ROOM," the 27th work of "Supplementary Cover Art"

The "Supplementary Cover Art," titled "ROOM," was crafted by an artist specializing in traditional Japanese painting styles. The artwork creates a mystical world where typically invisible and elusive substances such as sulfur and fluorine come together and converse. Depicted as beings engaged in a tea ceremony, they delve into the world of fluorination reactions, inviting viewers into the fascinating universe of chemistry.

Professor Shibata maintains a fervent belief that science is an arena for limitless creativity, where the melding of engineering and art is of quintessential importance. In keeping with this ethos, he has been actively engaged in collaborative projects with artists in the field of traditional Japanese painting since 2013. "ROOM" is the 27th installment in this ongoing artistic dialogue.

The study centers on a transformative chemical reaction that employs elemental sulfur and fluoro-cation to convert carboxylic acids into acyl fluorides. The utilization of sulfur, a commonly available element that negates the need for complex reagents or costly catalysts, underscores Professor Shibata's dedication to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shibata Laboratory

<Journal containing this article>
　Journal name: Organic Letters
　Title: Elemental Sulfur-Mediated Transformation of Carboxylic Acids to Acyl Fluorides by Electrophilic Fluorinating Reagent, Selectfluor
　Authors: Elsayed M. Mahmoud, Soichiro Mori, Yuji Sumii, and Norio Shibata
　Article information: DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c00701

Website containing the published article