About IKCOC

The International Kyoto Conference on New Aspects of Organic Chemistry (IKCOC)


Professor Emeritus Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto University)
The International Kyoto Conference on Organic Chemistry (IKCOC) was first held in 1979 under the leadership of the late Professor Zen-ichi Yoshida (1925–2023) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Kinka Chemical Society. Since then, IKCOC has been held every three years in Kyoto, establishing itself as a prominent international forum in the field of organic chemistry.

In today’s world, where the significance of science and technology continues to grow, organic chemistry plays a central role as the foundation for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Japanese chemists have long been at the forefront of this field, contributing numerous original and influential achievements.

The aim of IKCOC is to bring together chemists and engineers from around the world to exchange ideas and discuss key developments in organic chemistry and related disciplines. Distinguished scientists, including Novel Prize Laureates are invited to deliver lectures on topics such as efficiency in organic synthesis, organic synthesis for materials science, and applications in the life sciences. Through stimulating and in-depth discussions, the conference seeks to advance the field and foster international collaboration.

IKCOC welcomes participants from both academia and industry, offering a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge developments in organic chemistry. Attendees will also have the chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of Kyoto, a city renowned for its history and beauty.

Conference Theme:
Advances in Organic Chemistry
  • Session 1: Efficiency in Organic Synthesis
  • Session 2: Organic Synthesis for Materials Science
  • Session 3: Organic Synthesis for Life Science
Edition (Year)PresidentChairVenue
1st (1979)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kyoto Hotel
2nd (1982)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kyoto Hotel
3rd (1985)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kyoto Hotel
4th (1988)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Tetsuo Shiba
(Osaka Univ.)
Kyoto Hotel
5th (1991)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Yoshiki Ohshiro
(Osaka Univ.)
Kyoto Park Hotel
6th (1994)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Yoshihiko Ito
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kyoto Park Hotel
7th (1997)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Shinji Murai
(Osaka Univ.)
Kyoto Park Hotel
8th (2000)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kohei Tamao
(Kyoto Univ.)
Kyoto Park Hotel
9th (2003)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Shoichi Kusumoto
(Osaka Univ.)
Kyoto Park Hotel
10th (2006)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Tamejiro Hiyama
(Kyoto Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
11th (2009)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Jun-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
12th (2012)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Naoto Chatani
(Osaka Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
13th (2015)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Masahiro Murakami
(Kyoto Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
14th (2018)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Koichi Fukase
(Osaka Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
15th (2023)Zen-ichi Yoshida
(Kyoto Univ.)
Michinori Suginome
(Kyoto Univ.)
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto

The IKCOC Prize

The IKCOC Prize was established in 2009 on the occasion of the 11th IKCOC, with the inaugural award presented to Professor George M. Whitesides. Since then, the prize has recognized researchers who have made outstanding and influential contributions to the advancement of organic chemistry.
The International Organic Chemistry Foundation (IOCF) sponsors the IKCOC Prize, and each recipient is invited to deliver an award lecture at the conference.

YearPrize Winner
2009Professor George M. Whitesides
(Harvard University, USA)
2012Professor Manfred Reetz
(Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany)
2015Professor Dieter Seebach
(ETH Zürich, Switzerland)
2018Professor Klaus Müllen
(Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany)
2023Professor Stuart L. Schreiber
(Harvard University, Broad Institute, USA)