The SNK research group covers a wide area of chemistry – including inorganic, organic, biological, supramolecular, and material chemistry. Currently, we are deeply involved in luminescent transition metal complex for diverse applications such as sensing, bioimaging, and photocatalysis. Research scholars (RS) in the group are working mainly on the d6-metal such as Ru(II) and Ir(III) polypyridine complexes and organic dye molecules. Group members are involved in the use of spectrophotometer to measure UV-vis, and luminescence properties and an electrochemical analyzer. In addition, research scholars in this group are trained in multistep synthesis, and structure elucidation (solid and solution) using Single crystal X-ray crystallography, HRMS and NMR (1D and 2D) spectroscopic techniques.
Inorganic Photochemistry, Sensing and Bioimaging
Over the past decade, research in inorganic photophysics and photochemistry has expanded vastly. Inorganic photochemistry deals with the reactions of the photo-excited coordination compounds in the solution phase. Molecular sensors detect or quantify chemical, and biological entities such as ions, toxic molecules, genetic molecules, proteins, and live cells. For real-time detection and quantification of single or multiple analytes in different chemical, environmental and biological samples, the development of competitive molecular probes is highly demanding. Our group focuses on developing new polypyridine-based ligands and their Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes which show excellent photophysical/chemical properties and potential sensing properties in chemical, environmental and biological samples.
Multifunctional Photoactive Supramolecular Assembly
Noncovalent interactions such as halogen bonding and chalcogen bonding interactions have emerged as a valuable addition to the anion recognition chemistry. Noncovalent interactions assist molecular packing in the solid as well as solution state and control valuable properties. In the crystals lattice, hydrogen, halogen, chalcogen, and pnictogen bonding interactions have appeared as valuable tools to regulate luminescence and electronic properties. We aim to introduce several halogen/ chalcogen bond donors in the polypyridine ligand and synthesize their ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) complexes to regulate the luminescence in solution and the solid-state.
Metal Complex-Based Photoredox Catalyst for Organic Transformation
Among the traditional photoredox catalysts, the Ru(II) and cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes of polypyridyl ligands are the most commonly used candidates due to their visible light absorption capability, excellent redox properties, and long-lived excited states. Due to their long excited-state lifetime, they can act as single electron transfer (SET) catalysts by oxidizing or reducing a suitable organic substrate in competition with deactivation pathways. Our group is interested in designing Ru(II) and Ir(III) based photoredox catalysts that are capable of showing exciting catalytic behavior in organic reactions. Besides, we aim to modify and optimize the performance of traditionally available photoelectrocatalyst (PEC) systems that may achieve remarkable outcomes in effectively catalyzing the CO2 reduction process.
Research Projects:
- DST (Department of Science & Technology, India) FAST track project on “Chemosensors for cation and anion” (PI). (2014-2017)
- Assessment of climate change impact on soils and various water basins of Meghalaya using existing and newer techniques (Co-PI); DST, India, (SPLICE-Climate change program). (30.03.2019 to 29.03. 2022)
Our Expertise and Skill
- Single Crystal X-Ray crystallography (contact us for collaboration)
- 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopy (solution structure determination)
- HRMS
- Spectroscopy
- Electrochemistry
Collaboration
- Prof. Kripamoy Aguan, NEHU
- Dr. Susnata Pramanik, SRM University
- Dr. Subrata Kundu, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi