RESEARCH

The basic theme that guides our research is to make new compounds with interesting properties via sustainable and energy efficient methods. To this end, we target small molecules relevant biological applications and interesting physical properties. Oftentimes, in trying to synthesize these molecules via routes based on the modern-day requirements of energy efficiency and sustainable methods, we end up designing and developing new methodologies that add to the toolbox of organic synthesis. Therefore, our research involves both target oriented synthesis as well as methodology development.

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Catalysis and Methodology development

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We are interested in developing sustainable catalysis for development of methods for the synthesis of important compounds of biological and medicinal relevance as also development of methodologies based on photoredox catalysis, nanocatalysis, non-toxic metal catalysis and organocatalysis.

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Photoredox catalysis

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Visible light offers an energy efficient option for triggering chemical reactions. We use visible light for conducting reactions either through photoredox catalysis or catalyst-free pathways through formation of ground state donor-acceptor complexes for formation of C-X bonds.

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Sugar-based organocatalysis

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Sugar building blocks have traditionally been widely used for the chiral pool-based synthetic strategies. However, their use for the development of chiral catalysts have been relatively less explored. As part of nature’s repertoire of chiral molecules, one of the drawbacks of designing sugar based chiral organocatalysts is that they are available in nature as only one enantiomer, thereby restricting their general wide applications. As part of our work in the area of carbohydrate synthesis, we are involved in designing and developing carbohydrate-based ligands and organocatalysts that will be available in both their enantiomeric forms.

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Electro-organic Synthesis​

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Fundamental nature of chemical reactivity involves the redistribution of electrons and what can be better at moving them around than electricity! This energy efficient method for conducting organic synthesis has motivated us to explore this method for developing C-C and C-X bond formation reactions.

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Carbohydrate synthesis

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Total synthesis of bacterial cell-surface oligomers

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Carbohydrates are ubiquitous in nature and one of the most relevant biologically active molecules. As cell-surface agents, they play important roles in various extracellular mechanisms such as cell-cell interaction, pathogenicity and immune responses. Bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides have been traditionally used for the development of vaccines against diseases caused by them. The advent of new antibiotic resistant bacterial strains implies that next-generation vaccines provide immunity against them. In this respect, synthetic glycoconjugate vaccines based on the repeating units of rare bacterial strains provide a means for addressing the same. Thus a basic theme of research in our group focusses on the efficient, scalable synthesis of the oligomeric cell-surface repeating units of rare strains of bacteria including antibiotic resistant ones.

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Supramolecular gels sugars

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Due to the presence of a large number of functional groups that can be manipulated, sugars can be tuned to undergo self-assembly and form gels that may be used as soft materials for different applications. One application that we have been interested in is their potential to immobilize crude oil for oil-spill remediation.  Also due to their biocompatible nature, sugar based gels can be used as media for controlled release of drugs, an area that we explore.

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