Publication

List of Published Papers and Academic Books

Y2026

  1. Kakuchi, R.*; Oguchi, T.; Omichi, M.; Seko, N.; Dizon, G.; Chang, Y.*, "A New Class of Zwitterionic Polymers Featuring Carbon-Centered Anions". Macromolecules, 2026, 59(5), 2698-2705 .
  2. Kakuchi, R.*; Kasai, K.; Matsubara, K.; Amii, H., "The alchemy of fluorine: α,α-difluoroacetates unlocking regenerable post-polymerization modification". Polymer Chemistry, 2026, 17, 511-517 .

Y2025

  1. Tanno, G.; Kobayashi, A.; Otsuka, I.; Kakuchi, R.; Kaneko, N.; Matsuda, K.; Kawaguchi, S.; Narumi, A.*, "Cyclodextrin-Supported Passerini Three-Component Reaction as a Synthetic Platform for Homogeneous Modification of Carboxymethylcellulose in Aqueous Media". ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2025, 7(18), 12812–12820 .
  2. Matsubara, K.; Nirazuka, T.; Takahashi, K.*; Matsuda, T.; Kuroiwa, M.; Omichi, M.; Seko, N.*; Kakuchi, R.*, "Computationally complemented insights into new generation solvents for radiation-induced graft polymerization". Materials Today Chemistry, 2025, 45, 102610 .

Y2024

  1. Yoshihara, T.*; Tamura, T.; Shiozaki, S.; Chou, L.C.; Kakuchi, R.; Rokudai, S., "Confocal microscopic oxygen imaging of xenograft tumors using Ir(III) complexes as in vivo intravascular and intracellular probes". Scientific Reports, 2024, 14, 18443 .
  2. Kakuchi, R.*; Oguchi, T.; Kuroiwa, M.; Hirashima, Y.; Omichi, M; Seko, N; Yanai, H.*, "Installation of Superacidic Carbon Acid Moieties into Polymer Materials via PostPolymerization Modification". Chemical Science, 2024, 15, 19322-19327 .
  3. Kasai, K.; Amii, H.; Kakuchi, R.*, "Reversible Aminolysis: A New Concept for Postpolymerization Modification". Polymer Chemistry, 2024, 15, 4622–4626 . (ChemRxiv: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2024-7cgzt-v2 )

Y2023

  1. Chou, L.C.; Matsubara, K.; Takada, K.; Kaneko, T.; Kakuchi, R.*, "Synthesis of photoresponsive biobased adhesive polymers via the Passerini three-component reaction". Polym. J., 2023, 55, 1067–1074 .
  2. Matsubara, K.; Takahashi, K.*; Matsuda, T.; Ueki, Y.; Seko, N; Kakuchi, R.*, "GFN‐xTB‐Based Computations Provide Comprehensive Insights into Emulsion Radiation‐Induced Graft Polymerization". ChemPlusChem, 2024, 89, e202300480 .
    • Selected as a Front cover.
    • A joint press release was issued by the three universities. Access the detail news from here.
  3. Chou, L.C.; Takada, K.; Kaneko, T.; Asakawa, N.; Kakuchi, R.*, "Acrolein-Free Syntheses of Polyacrolein Derivatives via Chemo-Selective Reduction of Polyacrylates". RSC Sustainability, 2023, 1, 439–445 .

Y2022

  1. Barba, B.J.D.; Causapin, C.G.V.; Cabalar, P.J.E.; Luna, J.A.A.; Seko, N.; Omichi, M.; Kakuchi, R.; Madrid, J.F.*, "Pineapple Fiber Hybrids Prepared by the Fusion of radiation-induced Graft Polymerization and Kabachnik-Fields three-component Reaction (RIGP-KF3CR)". Journal of Natural Fibers, 2022, 19:16, 13550–13562 .
  2. Kakuchi, R.*; Matsubara, K.; Madrid, J.F.; Barba, B.J.D.; Omichi, M.; Ueki, Y.; Seko, N.*, "A-la-carte surface functionalization of organic materials via the combination of radiation-induced graft polymerization and multi-component reactions". MRS Communications, 2022, 12, 552–564 .
  3. Matsubara, K.; Chou, L.C.; Amii, H.; Kakuchi, R.*, "Fast-Track Computational Access to Reaction Mechanisms Provides Comprehensive Insights into Aminolysis Postpolymerization Modification Reactions". Molecular Systems Design & Engineering, 2022, 7, 1263–1276 .

Y2021

  1. Kakuchi, R.*; Fukasawa, K.; Chou, L.C.; Kim, H.; Amii, H.*, "Fundamental insights into aminolysis postpolymerization modification reaction of polymers featuring α,α-difluoroacetates esters". Polymer, 2021, 230(16), 124058 .
  2. Kakuchi, R.*; Matsubara, K.; Fukasawa, K.; Amii, H.*, "Unveiling α-Etherification Effects on the Aminolysis of α,α-Difluoroacetate Enables the Aminolysis Post-polymerization Modification of α,α-Difluoro-α-(aryloxy)acetate-Containing Polymers". Macromolecules, 2021, 54(13), 6204–6213 .
  3. Hirama, A.; Chou, L.C; Kakuchi, R.*, "Streamlined access to end-functionalized thermoresponsive polymers via a combination of bulk RAFT polymerization and quasi solvent-free Passerini three-component reaction". Polym. J., 2021, 53(11), 1175–1185 .
  4. Kakuchi, R.*; Tsuji, R.; Fukasawa, K.; Yamashita, S.; Omichi, M.; Seko, N.*, "Polymers of Lignin-Sourced Components as a Facile Chemical Integrant for the Passerini Three-Component Reaction". Polym. J., 2021, 53(4), 523–531 .
  5. Takahashi, R.; Kakuchi, R.*, "Rational Optimization of the Petasis Three-Component Reaction as a Feasible Elementary Reaction in Polymer Chemistry". Macromol. Chem. Phys., 2021, 222(2), 2000347 .
  6. Kakuchi, R.*; Fukasawa, K.; Kikuchi, M; Narumi, A; Kawaguchi, S; Li, Y; Kim, H.*; Amii, H.*, "Computer-Aided Design of Postpolymerization Modification Reaction Based on Aminolysis of α,α-Difluoroacetate Esters". Macromolecules, 2021, 54(1), 364–372 .
    • Selected as a Supplementary Journal Cover.

Y2020

  1. Kakuchi, R.* and Okura, Y., "The Passerini three-component reaction of aldehyde end-functionalized polymers via RAFT polymerization using chain transfer agents featuring aldehyde." Polym. J., 52(9), 1057–1066 .

Y2019

  1. Omichi, M.*; Yamashita, S.; Okura, Y.; Ikutomo, R; Ueki, Y; Seko, N; Kakuchi, R.*, "Surface Engineering of Fluoropolymer Films via the Attachment of Crown Ether Derivatives Based on the Combination of Radiation-Induced Graft Polymerization and the Kabachnik–Fields Reaction." Polymers, 2019, 11(8), 1337 . (Open access paper)
    • Selected as a Journal Cover.
  2. Kakuchi, R.*, "The dawn of polymer chemistry based on multicomponent reactions". Polym. J., 2019, 51, 945–953 .
    Access the paper from here.
  3. Hamada, T.*; Yamashita, S; Omichi, M; Yoshimura, K; Ueki, Y; Seko, N; Kakuchi, R.*, "Multicomponent-Reaction-Ready Biomass-Sourced Organic Hybrids Fabricated via the Surface Immobilization of Polymers with Lignin-Based Compounds". ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 2019, 7(8), 7795–7803 .
    • Selected as a Supplementary Journal Cover.
    • Joint press release issued by Gunma University and QST.
    • Featured in The Chemical Daily on June 10.
    • Featured in The Gunma Keizai Shimbun on June 13.
    • Featured in The Jomo Shimbun on July 1.
    • The Jomo Shimbun article was featured on Yahoo! News on July 2.
  4. Hirose, D.; Wardhana Kusuma, S. B; Nomura, S; Yamaguchi, M; Yasaka, Y; Kakuchi, R; Takahashi, K, "Effect of anion in carboxylate-based ionic liquids on catalytic activity of transesterification with vinyl esters and the solubility of cellulose." RSC Adv., 2019, 9(7), 4048–4053 .

Y2018

  1. Kakuchi, R.*; Yoshida, S; Sasaki, T; Kanoh, S; Maeda, K.*, "Multi-Component Post-Polymerization Modification Reactions of Polymers Featuring Lignin-Model Compounds." Polym. Chem., 2018, 9(16), 2109–2115 .
  2. Yan, F; Kakuchi, R; Takahashi, K; Kim, H. J.*, "CS2 capture in the ionic liquid 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate: reaction mechanism and free energetics." Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20(29), 19339–19349 .
  3. Suzuki, S; Shibata, Y; Hirose, D; Endo, T; Ninomiya, K; Kakuchi, R.*; Takahashi, K.*, "Cellulose triacetate synthesis via one-pot organocatalytic transesterification and delignification of pretreated bagasse." RSC Adv., 2018, 8(39), 21768–21776 .
  4. Sakai, H; Kuroda, K; Muroyama, S; Tsukegi, T; Kakuchi, R; Takada, K; Hata, A; Kojima, R; Ogoshi, T; Omichi, M; Ninomiya, K; Takahashi, K, "Alkylated alkali lignin for compatibilizing agents of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics with polypropylene". Polym. J., 2018, 50(3), 281–284 .

Y2017

  1. Quy, N. V; Nomura, S; Hoshino, R; Ninomiya, K; Takada, K.*; Kakuchi, R.*; Takahashi, K.*, "Recyclable and Scalable Organocatalytic Transesterification of Polysaccharides in a Mixed Solvent of 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Acetate and Dimethyl Sulfoxide." Polym. J., 2017, 49(11), 783–787 .
  2. Kakuchi, R; Ito, R; Nomura, S; Abroshan, H; Ninomiya, K; Ikai, T; Maeda, K; Kim, H. J; Takahashi, K, "A mechanistic insight into the organocatalytic properties of imidazolium-based ionic liquids and a positive co-solvent effect on cellulose modification reactions in an ionic liquid." RSC Adv., 2017, 7(16), 9423–9430 .

Y2016

  1. Moldenhauer, F; Kakuchi, R; Theato, P, "Synthesis of Polymers via Kabachnik-Fields Polycondensation." ACS Macro Lett., 2016, 5(1), 10–13 . (highlighted in Synfacts by Prof. Swager at MIT, Swager, T. M.; Fennell, J. F., "Good Things Come in Threes: Kabachnik-Fields Polycondensation." Synfacts 2016, 12(03), 0255.)

Y2015

  1. Ninomiya, K; Omote, S; Ogino, C; Kuroda, K; Noguchi, M; Endo, T; Kakuchi, R; Shimizu, N; Takahashi, K, "Saccharification and ethanol fermentation from cholinium ionic liquid-pretreated bagasse with a different number of post-pretreatment washings." Bioresour. Technol., 2015, 189, 203–209 .
  2. Ninomiya, K; Kohori, A; Tatsumi, M; Osawa, K; Endo, T; Kakuchi, R; Ogino, C; Shimizu, N; Takahashi, K, "Ionic liquid/ultrasound pretreatment and in situ enzymatic saccharification of bagasse using biocompatible cholinium ionic liquid." Bioresour. Technol., 2015, 176(0), 169–174 .
  3. Kakuchi, R; Yamaguchi, M; Endo, T; Shibata, Y; Ninomiya, K; Ikai, T; Maeda, K; Takahashi, K, "Efficient and rapid direct transesterification reactions of cellulose with isopropenyl acetate in ionic liquids." RSC Adv., 2015, 5(88), 72071–72074 .
  4. Kakuchi, R, "Recent Developments in Polymer Analogous Reactions." Kobunshi Ronbunshu, 72(9), 550–560 .

Y2014

  1. Kakuchi, R; Wongsanoh, K; Hoven, V. P; Theato, P, "Activation of stable polymeric esters by using organo-activated acyl transfer reactions." J. Polym. Sci. Part A, 2014, 52(9), 1353–1358 .
  2. Kakuchi, R; Theato, P, "Efficient Multicomponent Postpolymerization Modification Based on Kabachnik-Fields Reaction." ACS Macro Lett., 2014, 3(4), 329–332 . (highlighted in Synfacts by Prof. Swager at MIT, Swager, T. M.; Sterner, E. S., Poly(α-aminophosphonates) by MCR without Isocyanides. Synfacts 2014, 10(06), 0592.)
  3. Kakuchi, R; Yamaguchi, M; Endo, T; Shibata, Y; Ninomiya, K; Ikai, T; Maeda, K; Takahashi, K, "Efficient and rapid direct transesterification reactions of cellulose with isopropenyl acetate in ionic liquids." RSC Adv., 5(88), 72071–72074 .
  4. Kakuchi, R; Theato, P, "Preparation of Functional Polyamine Scaffolds via Mitsunobu Post-Polymerization Modification Reactions." Macromol. Rapid Commun., 35(6), 661–665 .
  5. Kakuchi, R; Theato, P, "Sequential post-polymerization modification reactions of poly(pentafluorophenyl 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate)." Polym. Chem., 5(7), 2320–2325 .
  6. Kakuchi, R.*, "Multicomponent reactions in polymer synthesis." Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 53(1), 46–48 .

Published Academic Books

  1. Kakuchi, R., "Metal-Catalyzed Multicomponent Reactions for the Synthesis of Polymers." In Advances in Polymer Science, Springer Berlin Heidelberg: 2015; pp 1–15.
  2. Kakuchi, R.; Theato, P., "Post-Polymerization Modifications via Active Esters." In Functional Polymers by Post-Polymerization Modification, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA: 2012; pp 45–64.

Related Links

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