Our Research Group at OCSC Lab in CURAJ has been focused on the following broad domains: Development of synthetic methodologies, Asymmetric Organocatalysis, Heterocycle synthesis. The themes are elaborated below, with a few significant publications in each domain.
Synthetic Methodology Development and Heterocycle Synthesis:
Here, our group works on exploring the reactivity patterns of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) ketones, obtained by the oxidation of the MBH adduct, in various transformations and toward the development of new synthetic methodologies
Some of the novel transformations achieved in this regard include:
(i) The synthesis of N'-alkyl substituted benzohydrazides, which have a huge potential as insecticides; this was achieved by insertion of a hydrazine into the MBH ketone, featuring the formation of 2 new C-N bonds and accompanied by cleavage of a C-C bond.
(ii) A diamine-mediated degradative dimerisation of MBH ketones leading to the formation of methylene-bridged bis-1,3-dicarbonyl adducts (with the loss of a 1-carbon unit in the process).
Recent significant publications in the area:
One-Pot Access to Dibenzodiazepines and 9‑Arylacridines from a Cyclic Dienamine; N. Kanwar, S. Sharma, P. Priya and S. Easwar
Org. Lett. 2026, 28, 2615-2619 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.5c05439)
A retro-Mannich mediated transformation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman ketones to saturated imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines; S. Sharma, A. K. Jha and S. Easwar
Org. Chem. Front. 2024, 11, 3137-3150 (DOI: 10.1039/D4QO00352G)
Mechanistic Investigations on the Interaction of Morita−Baylis−Hillman Ketones with 2‑Aminothiophenol; R. Kumari, A. K. Jha, A. G. H. Khan and S. Easwar
J. Org. Chem. 2024, 89, 7263-7269(DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02993)
Acyl Transfer Driven Rauhut–Currier Dimerization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones; R. Kumari, A. K. Jha, S. Goyal, R. Maan, S. R. Reddy and S. Easwar
J. Org. Chem. 2023, 88, 2023-2033 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02244)
Synthesis of 2,2-Disubstituted Dihydro-1,4-benzothiazines from Morita−Baylis−Hillman Ketones by an Oxidative Cyclization, A. K. Jha, R. Kumari and S. Easwar
J. Org. Chem. 2022, 87, 5760-5772 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c00087)
Asymmetric Organocatalysis:
Here, we focus majorly on:
Design of proline-based organocatalysts for asymmetric transformations
Development of bifunctional organocatalysts for enantioselective cascade cyclisations targeted toward the construction of fused and bridged ring systems
Some of the recent highlights from our group on organocatalysis include:
(i) Investigation of the synergistic organocatalytic model for the asymmetric aldol reaction by design of a urea-tagged proline catalyst
(ii) Studies on "through bond" and "through space" proximity of an ion-tag to the reaction site of a proline mediated aldol addition
Significant publications in the area:
Enantioselective Access to Tetrahydroxanthenones Catalyzed by an Ionic Proline-Histidine Dipeptide Derivative; A. G. H. Khan, H. Inani, A. K. Jha and S. Easwar
Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2026, 29, e70490; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.70490
Contrasting Facial Selectivity of a Squaramide-Tagged Proline in the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Ketones to Maleimides; K. Kumari, A. G. H. Khan and S. Easwar
Adv. Synth. Catal. 2024, 366, 4715-4722 (DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202400791)
A squaramide-tagged proline mediated direct asymmetric aldol addition in the presence of water; K. Kumari, A. G. H. Khan, A. K. Dhiya and S. Easwar
Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2024, 27, e202400992 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.202400992)
Cooperative assistance of a sulfonamide in a proline-mediated direct asymmetric aldol addition; K. Kumari, M. Bhati, R. S. Madhukar, A. G. H. Khan, P. Janjani, S. R. Reddy and S. Easwar
New J. Chem. 2023, 47, 17042-17050 (DOI: 10.1039/d3nj02685j)
Probing the Synergistic Catalytic Model: A Rationally Designed Urea-Tagged Proline Catalyst for the Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction; M. Bhati, K. Kumari and S. Easwar
J. Org. Chem. 2018, 83, 8225-8232 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.8b00962)