RESEARCH

Welcome to Our Research Group!

Research Overview: 

We operate at the interface of Supramolecular Chemistry, Systems Chemistry, and Adaptive Materials, addressing frontier challenges in dynamic molecular architecture and functional molecular motion. Our research is guided by a central philosophy: control over molecular conformation is the key to unlocking advanced function.

By deliberately programming noncovalent interactions and structural flexibility, we design molecular systems in which structure, motion, and function are intricately coupled across multiple scales. These architectures respond to external stimuli—including light, chemical fuels, metal ions, and guest binding—enabling adaptive behaviour and controllable functional output. Since establishing our independent laboratory at IISER Thiruvananthapuram in 2020, we have moved beyond static self-assembly to develop dynamic, stimuli-responsive molecular systems that mimic aspects of biological complexity and perform controlled molecular-level tasks.

Core Research Themes:

1. Molecular Switches and Machines

We design dynamic molecular systems whose structural and functional states can be reversibly modulated. These architectures harness molecular motion in response to stimuli such as light or metal coordination to perform tasks including switchable catalysis, guest release and uptake, and signal transduction—paralleling the behaviour of biological molecular machines.

2. Metallo-Supramolecular Chemistry

Metal coordination serves as a programmable and reversible tool for constructing adaptive molecular architectures. Through rational ligand design and metal-mediated assembly, we regulate geometry, redox properties, and chirality to build cages, rotors, chiroptical switches, and responsive catalytic systems. Our goal is to establish clear structure–dynamics–function relationships in metallo-supramolecular systems with applications in sensing, catalysis, and molecular devices.

3. Supramolecular Chirogenesis and Chiroptical Amplification

A central theme of our research is supramolecular chirogenesis—the transformation of chirality from a static structural feature into a dynamic and communicable signal. We investigate how noncovalent interactions, helicity induction, and conformational switching translate minimal chiral inputs into amplified structural and chiroptical outputs.

By engineering stereodynamic architectures capable of helicity inversion, chirality transfer, and quantitative chiral sensing, we aim to uncover fundamental structure–chirality–function relationships in adaptive supramolecular systems.

4. Foldamer Engineering for Function. 

We specialise in the design of abiotic foldamers stabilised by hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking. These synthetic oligomers mimic protein-like folding and serve as scaffolds for molecular recognition, catalysis, and ion transport. Our work focuses on how controlled folding and conformational frustration can be leveraged to generate responsive function in synthetic systems.

5. Chiral Macrocycles and Supramolecular Cages

We develop chiral macrocycles and supramolecular cages as confined, stereochemically defined environments for enantiodiscrimination and confinement-driven reactivity. By integrating conformational bias with directional noncovalent or coordination interactions, we construct discrete architectures capable of amplifying and transmitting chirality. These adaptive chiral containers couple host–guest recognition with helicity control, enabling asymmetric sensing, catalytic transformations, and emergent supramolecular behaviour.

6. Photophysical and Chiroptical Functional Materials

A complementary research direction in our laboratory focuses on understanding how molecular conformation and supramolecular organisation influence photophysical behaviour. We investigate the interplay between structure and excited-state properties, including circular dichroism (CD), circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), excimer formation, and emission modulation.

By integrating chiral scaffolds, π-conjugated systems, and dynamic molecular architectures, we design systems in which photophysical responses are governed by conformational switching and supramolecular assembly. Through systematic structure–photophysics correlations, we aim to establish fundamental relationships between molecular architecture, excited-state dynamics, and functional optical output. This theme bridges supramolecular chemistry, photochemistry, and adaptive materials, contributing toward the development of responsive luminescent systems and next-generation chiroptical materials.

To check the details of our research, please check our posters and publications.