With climate change making headlines, the pressure on green chemistry to deliver is higher than ever before. First-row pincer complexes have received considerable attention as catalysts in synthetic organic chemistry due to their low toxicity, earth-abundance, and efficient catalytic properties.

In this talk, Sourajit Das (2nd Year Int. M.Sc.), introduced these exotic compounds with an emphasis on their catalytic properties for hydrogenation and de-hydrogenation reactions. 

Prerana is an event that Zaariya hosts for kids of the security staff, IWD (Institute Works Department) and house-keeping staff of NISER to foster innovative and scientific thinking. The event is also aimed to provide exposure to a variety of curricula, from different departments, of our institute. The clubs of NISER participate in and display a wide range of fascinating and enjoyable activities, including experiments, during this event. TFR has been a part of this wonderful day of science, since its inception in 2022. 

This year, the club, on behalf of the School of Chemical Sciences (SCS), conducted an exhibitional chemistry session for students. Several fun experiments including the soapy-fluffy elephant toothpaste, eye-catching indicators, and colorful flame tests were exhibited.  After each experiment the science behind the experiment was explained to the children in simple language, who expressed their satisfaction in learning new concepts in chemistry.

Much has to been said about the volunteers without the volunteers, without whom, this event could never be pulled off. The club thanks Aditya, Amrut, Aradhana, Bappaditya, Chinmay,  Dharun, Manoranjan, Narayan, and Omm for their active involvement during this event!

The second student talk of the year! This time Devendra Tiwari (2nd Year Int. Ph.D.) shared a discourse about reactive intermediates called benzynes. 

The talk discussed how benzyne, a reactive intermediate, became a tool in modern synthetic chemistry. The different methods of generating benzynes and their isolation was explored systematically. 

A mechanistic approach was taken to understand the reactivity exhibited by benzyne. Finally, Devendra illustrated examples reactions of benzyne from total synthesis of natural products and pericyclic chemistry.

The YouTube video for the talk can be accessed at:

The first event, as well as the first student talk from TFR, this year.  K R Prathyumann (2nd Year Int. M.Sc.) introduced a tool for probing systems at the interface of biology and chemistry: bioorthogonal chemistry. Succinct examples ranging from medical imaging to anti-tumor activity were explained. 

In case this tickles your brain, the YouTube video for the talk can be accessed at: