Organic and Photochemistry

Transition metal catalyzed C-C and C-Heteroatom bond forming reactions are gaining much attention in recent years, due to the substrate scope and high yields compared to conventional methods. A focus area of our research is the development of novel protocols for C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation, using cheap metal catalysts like Iron and Copper. These catalyzed reactions can be extended for the one pot synthesis of many bioactive heterocyclic compounds. The one pot methods offer high atom economy and high functional group tolerance. To get more insights into the reaction, the mechanistic aspect of the reaction has been explored using DFT. Another focus area is the development of photosensitizers for sensing applications. Photosensitizers capable of binding analytes selectively can be utilized for effective sensing of various analytes and metal ions. Such photosenzsitizers respond to analytes through absorption/fluorescence changes. The photosensitizers have been conjugated with single strand DNA to develop DNA based sensors.

• Catalysis
• Photosensitizers

Recent publications/patents

1. A convenient route to 1,3-diynes using amine-free Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling reaction at room temperature under aerobic conditions”, S. Asha, S. Anjana, M. Thomas, M. E. Thomas, K. R. Rohit, K. K. Krishnan, S. M. Ujwaldev, G. Anilkumar, Synth. Commun. 2019, 49, 256.
2. One-Pot Synthesis of Benzofurans via Cu-catalyzed Tandem Sonogashira Coupling-Cyclization Reactions”, M Thomas, S. Asha, R. Menon, G. Anilkumar, ChemistrySelect2019, 4, 5544.
3. ‘Exploration of the mechanism and scope of the CuI/DABCO catalysed C-S coupling reaction’ M Thomas, D.R. Sherin, Sujatha Asha , T.K. Manojkumar, Gopinathan Anilkumar,  Polyhedron, 2020, 176, 114269.
4. Sequence programmed DNA three-way junctions for templated assembly of fluorescent silver nanoclusters, K. Saraswathi, S. K. Vittala, M. K. Manayani, J. Joseph – Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2020, 207, 111886.
5. K. Saraswathi, M. K. Manayani, J. Joseph, Luminescent Metal Nanoclusters, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications, Book chapter, Woodhead publishing series in Electronic and Optical materials 2022, 251-279, Editors: Sabu Thomas, Kuruvilla Joseph, Saritha Appukuttan, Meegle S. Mathew.

Our Researchers

1. Dr. Anns Maria Thomas

   Asst. Professor

2. Mathews K Manayani

   Asst. Professor

3. Dr. Albish K.Paul

   Asst. Professor