Research Projects

Homogeneous catalysis is carried out using molecular complexes of transition metals with ligands. However, nanomaterials and heterogenized systems are used for the purpose heterogeneous catalysis as well as electrocatalysis. During last three decades, a wide range of ligands (such as phosphines, organosulphur compounds, organoselenium compounds, carbenes, etc) have been used for homogeneous (transition metal complexes) and heterogeneous (i.e., nanomaterials) catalytic systems (for several organic reactions) and electrocatalysis. However, potential of organotellurium ligands is almost untapped in this field so far. Hence, the proposed project comprises mainly five components: (i) synthesis of novel organotellurium ligands; (ii) use of organotellurium ligands in the development of catalytically active transition metal complexes for homogeneous catalysis; (iii) use of organotellurium ligands as stabilizers for developing metal nanocatalysts; (iii) use of preformed molecular complexes of transition metals with organotellurium compounds as single source precursors for obtaining catalytically active binary intermetallic alloys (i.e., metal tellurides); (iv) developing heterogeneous catalytic systems by immobilizing nanosized metal telluride alloys of molecular complexes of organotellurium ligands on solid supports such as graphene oxide or chitosan layered magnetite; (v) exploration of the potential of newly designed homogeneous, heterogeneous and nanocatalytic systems in catalysis of a variety of organic reactions (such as one-pot synthesis of quinazoline derivatives, synthesis of structural analogues of dibenzodiazepines, amidation/cyclization, C−CF3 bond formation, C-F bond formation, Heck coupling, Suzuki coupling, C−S coupling, C−N coupling, A³-coupling reaction, crossdehydrogenative coupling, C−O coupling and C−H bond arylation reactions) and electrocatalysis [viz. hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER)]. In the context of current status, all the components of proposed project have the following importance: (1) Due to presence of metal-metalloid bond, tellurium ligated metal complexes may constitute an important class of highly efficient homogeneous catalytic systems, (2) Catalytically active nanosized bimetallic alloys (i.e., metal tellurides e.g. Pd9Te4, Pd3Te2, PdTe) are expected to show improved activity (in heterogeneous and nano-catalysis and electrocatalysis) than monometallic catalysts, due to the electronic and geometrical modifications, which arise as a consequence of synergic cooperation between the two metals of alloys, (3) Novel heterogeneous catalytic systems, developed by immobilizing organotellurium ligands and/or metal tellurides on solid supports, are expected to offer the advantage of enhanced activity and reusability, (4) Newly designed molecules and materials with high catalytic efficiency may be commercialized with reputed companies such as Merck, TCI, Johnson Matthey etc.