Research Projects

Asymmetric C-H bond activation and functionalization have found increasing applications in the field of synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry as they are often employed in the total synthesis of complex natural products. Also, Asymmetric hydrogenation of double bonds in organic substrates has been used as one of the most effective methods in asymmetric synthesis for the preparation of important chiral molecules and building blocks. Here, in this proposal, new metal complex catalysts involving transition metals like Ruthenium, Rhodium and Palladium etc will be prepared and studied for the C-H functionalization. Some of the selected metals with bidentate ligands have shown good enantioselectivity in asymmetric synthesis and hydrogenation for a number of prochiral substrates. Chiral ligands of different types will be designed and incorporated in the complexes for the enhancement of selectivity. The stability, reusability, toxicity, etc. of the developed catalysts will also be investigated. Since we have been working on heterocycles and spiro compounds we intend to study the stereoselectivity of the reactions using complexes with different chiral ligands. Some isomers of the synthesised products/ heterocycles will be subjected to biological studies like anthelmintic activities, anti-bacterial and antiviral activities.