Successful Development of a Clean Synthesis Method for Alcohols from Alkenes and Water Using Copper and Light [Okayama University, Osaka Metropolitan University]

Key facts

  • Successful Development of a Clean Synthesis Method for Alcohols from Alkenes and Water Using Copper and Light [Okayama University, Osaka Metropolitan University]
  • A joint research group from Okayama University and Osaka Metropolitan University has successfully developed a new, clean method for directly synthesizing alcohols from alkenes and water, using the inexpensive metal copper as a photocatalyst. This research establishes a novel way to activate less reactive alkenes with light energy, and the findings have been published in the British academic journal 'Nature Communications.' This technology is expected to provide an economical and environmentally friendly manufacturing method to meet the growing industrial demand for alcohols and to accelerate the future development of molecular conversion technologies.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: June 1, 2026

Direct answer

A joint research group from Okayama University and Osaka Metropolitan University has successfully developed a new, clean method for directly synthesizing alcohols from alkenes and water, using the inexpensive metal copper as a photocatalyst. This research establishes a novel way to activate less reactive alkenes with light energy, and the findings have been published in the British academic journal 'Nature Communications.' This technology is expected to provide an economical and environmentally friendly manufacturing method to meet the growing industrial demand for alcohols and to accelerate the future development of molecular conversion technologies.

Citation
Successful Development of a Clean Synthesis Method for Alcohols from Alkenes and Water Using Copper and Light [Okayama University, Osaka Metropolitan University] (June 1, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
June 1, 2026
A joint research group from Okayama University and Osaka Metropolitan University has successfully developed a new, clean method for directly synthesizing alcohols from alkenes and water, using the inexpensive metal copper as a photocatalyst. This research establishes a novel way to activate less reactive alkenes with light energy, and the findings have been published in the British academic journal 'Nature Communications.' This technology is expected to provide an economical and environmentally friendly manufacturing method to meet the growing industrial demand for alcohols and to accelerate the future development of molecular conversion technologies.
techNQ 45/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 08:23
  • 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 23:35
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 08:35 (32h 59m after Collected)
This is a press release on the joint research achievements of Okayama University and Osaka Metropolitan University. May 31, 2026 Okayama University The industrial demand for alcohols continues to grow, and there is a need to develop methods for efficiently synthesizing target alcohols from inexpensive starting materials. Directly obtaining the target alcohol from an alkene and water would be attractive, but its realization required a new method for activating alkenes. This research successfully developed a clean hydration reaction by utilizing the inexpensive metal copper and light energy. ◆ Overview A research group from Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu), led by Assistant Professor (Special Appointment) Naoki Oku, Assistant Professor Ken Yamazaki, and Professor Tomoya Miura of the Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, along with then-graduate students Keito Fuke and Rikako Masui, in collaboration with a research group from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Engineering led by Associate Professor Yasunori Matsui and Professor Hiroshi Ikeda, has successfully developed a new method for synthesizing alcohols from alkenes and water using light energy. The industrial demand for alcohols is continuously increasing, and the development of simple and economical synthesis methods is sought. Directly synthesizing the target alcohol from inexpensive and readily available alkenes and water is an attractive chemical transformation, but it required the development of a new method to activate the less reactive alkenes. This study revealed for the first time that copper, an inexpensive metal, acts as a powerful photocatalyst to activate alkenes. These research findings were published in the British general academic journal 'Nature Communications' on February 21, 2026. It is expected that the development of clean molecular conversion technology using light energy with copper as a photocatalyst will be further accelerated in the future. This announcement was made public on May 31, 2026. ◆ A word from Assistant Professor Naoki Oku The prototype for this research was a discovery I made as a master's student. Thanks to all my collaborators, it has taken shape after about seven years. I am deeply moved. (Oku) (From left) Assistant Professor Naoki Oku, graduate student Rikako Masui, Professor Tomoya Miura ◆ Publication Information Paper Title: Photooxidative Copper(II) Catalysis for Promoting anti-Markovnikov Hydration of Alkenes Journal: Nature Communications Authors: Naoki Oku, Keito Fuke, Rikako Masui, Ken Yamazaki, Yasunori Matsui, Hiroshi Ikeda, and Tomoya Miura DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69807-0 URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69807-0 ◆ Research Funding This research was conducted with support from the following grants [JSPS KAKENHI (22H05368, 24H01083, 22K19032, 25K01769, 22H05377, 24H01092, 24H01861, 24K17682), JSPS Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities (J-PEAKS) (JPJS00420230010), Maekawa Houonkai Foundation Academic Research Grant (A3-24006), Iwatani Naoji Foundation's Iwatani Science and Technology Research Grant, Takahashi Industrial and Economic Research Foundation Research Grant]. This paper also received support from Okayama University's 'APC Support for High-Impact International Academic Journals.' ◆ For more details on the research Synthesizing Alcohols from Alkenes and Water: Successful Development of a Clean Synthesis Method Using Copper and Light https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/press_r8/press20260402-1.pdf ◆ Reference ・Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory https://sites.google.com/view/miuralab/home ・Okayama University, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology https://www.elst.okayama-u.ac.jp/ Okayama University Tsushima Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City) ◆ Contact Information Professor Tomoya Miura, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan Public Relations Division, General Affairs Department, Okayama University TEL: 086-251-7292 Public Relations Division, Osaka Metropolitan University TEL: 06-6967-1834 New Medical Research and Development Center, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Research Promotion Division, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Promotion Section, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Division, Organization for Research and Innovation Co-creation, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan Task Force for Strengthening the System and Maintenance of Shared Research Equipment at Okayama University (Team Kyoyo) 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan Startup and Venture Creation Division, Organization for Research and Innovation Co-creation, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan Okayama University supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also received a special award at the first Japan SDGs Award by the government. Please look forward to Okayama University's progress as a regional core and distinctive research university promoting co-education and co-creation. Okayama University has been selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's 'Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities (J-PEAKS)' - Co-creating the future of the region and the planet, and becoming a core of global innovation: Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university and building a mountain range of world-class research universities in Japan.

FAQ

What is the main achievement of this research?

The development of an environmentally friendly, clean chemical synthesis method to directly produce alcohols from alkenes and water, using inexpensive copper and light energy.

What are the advantages of this new technology?

It is economical and has a low environmental impact because it uses inexpensive and readily available materials like alkenes, water, and copper, along with clean light energy.

Where were the research findings published?

They were published in the prestigious British general academic journal 'Nature Communications' on February 21, 2026.

Which universities conducted this joint research?

A joint research group from Okayama University and Osaka Metropolitan University conducted the study.

What future contributions are expected from this technology?

It is expected to further accelerate the development of clean molecular conversion technologies using light energy and contribute to the efficient production of alcohols, for which industrial demand continues to grow.

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