Research interests

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Research Interests:

Key areas:

Physical Organic Chemistry

Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Photoswitchable Functional Materials

Spectroscopy, Photochemistry and Reactive Intermediates Chemistry

Broader areas: Our broader research objectives are in utilizing the concepts of physical organic and synthetic organic chemistry towards design, development and studies on reactive species, and photoswitchable (functional) molecules and materials. A lot of emphasis will be given on basic research, particularly in the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, spectroscopy and photochemistry.

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy: One of our major areas of interest is to understand the structure, stability and reactivity of radicals and highly reactive species. In this regard, we utilize an experimental technique called matrix isolation infrared/UV spectroscopy. At very low temperatures (4 K),gases like argon, neon and nitrogen form transparent matrices in the UV and IR regions. By controlling the dilution in such gases, molecules can indeed be isolated and trapped. If the molecules of interest are prepared with photo-labile groups, transient and unstable species can be generated in matrix isolation conditions through photolysis. Alternatively, a precursor molecule with thermo-labile group can be sublimed through a hot quartz tube at very high temperature and high vacuum so as to generate transient species. The kinetically stable products can be trapped in argon or nitrogen matrices at low temperature. Further photochemistry of such transient products can also be followed to get information about their reactivity. A detailed infrared/UV spectroscopic investigation will be performed along with computational studies in order to understand the structural information and mechanistic pathways. Studies on heterocyclic transient species, photosensitized transients and developing model systems for radical damage are part of this investigation.

Photoswitchable functional molecules and materials: Azobenzenes are robust switchable molecules with varying switching kinetics depending on the substitutions. Manipulation in the switching rate and functions can be made by changing the substitution. Our research interest in this regard will be to connect multiple azobenzene moieties to a linker molecule in creating a light controlled void or confined space that can be useful for a small molecule transporter. Systematic design, synthesis, photochemistry and spectroscopic studies with respect to switching and transporting behaviour will be the major components of this project.

Research Facilities

Matrix isolation set up: Comprising vacuum system (Edwards diff pump and rotary vane pumps), cryostat and closed cycle helium gas compressor unit (Sumitomo, Cryo Industries), chillers, infrared Spectrometer (Bruker), UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (Cary 60), Tunable light source (Kilo arc), LED light sources

Synthesis Lab: Fume hoods, storage cabinets, rotavaps (Buchi), magnetic stirrers, vacuum oven (Eyela), vacuum pumps, air oven, sonicator, immersion chiller (Julabo)