We work primarily on Biomimetic-systems & Bio-inspired Catalysis. We design new ligand frameworks and prepare their complexes with transition metals to develop biomimetic systems. Activation of small molecules with transition metal complexes to mimic the active sites of Metalloenzymes. Further, we explore newly developed intermediate species in various catalytic reactions to mimic different biological reactions and scale the mechanistic insights. In addition, we examine the possibilities of developing new catalysts for various organic transformations (Oxidation, C-H activation, epoxidation, hydroxylation, etc.). We are broadly working in the following research areas.

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In this context, we develop various model systems and explore their reactivities to understand the mechanistic aspects of biomimetic reactions. Recently, we have studied and published a few results on biomimetic systems, i.e., Nitrite Reductase, Nitrate Reductase, & Nitric Oxide Dioxygenase. The mechanistic understanding of these reactions suggested some new and Nobel chemistries which had not been observed before.                                                                   

                                                                                       Biomimetic Chemistry from Our Lab

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Key Publications:

4. Finding a new pathway for acid-induced nitrite reduction reaction: formation of nitric oxide with hydrogen peroxide?

Kulbir; Das, S.; Devi, T.;  Ghosh, S.; Sahoo, S.; Kumar, P.*

Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 2935-2942

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3. Oxygen Atom Transfer Promoted Nitrate to Nitric Oxide Transformation: A Step-wise Reduction of Nitrate → Nitrite → Nitric Oxide

Kulbir.; Das, S.; Devi, T.; Goswami, M.; Yenuganti, M.; Bhardwaj, P.; Ghosh, S. Sahoo, S. C.; Kumar, P.*

Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 10605.

 

2. Mimicking the Nitric Oxide Dioxygenation (NOD) Reaction Cycle: A Comparative Study of “NOD Versus Dioxygen /or Nitric Oxide Activation.”

Yenuganti, M.; Das, S.; Kulbir; Ghosh, S.; Sahoo, C. S.; Kumar, P.*

 Inorg. Chem. Front.  2020, 7, 4872.

 

1. Nitric oxide monooxygenation (NOM) reaction of a Cobalt-nitrosyl {Co(NO)}8 to CoII-nitrito {CoII(NO2–)}: Acid-base induced cyclic loop of hydrogen gas (H2) evolution.

Das, S.; Kulbir; Ghosh, S.; Sahoo, C. S.; Kumar, P. *

Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 5037.

 

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We focus on synthesizing and characterizing metal-oxygen intermediates like Metal-Oxo /-Peroxo /-Superoxo to explore various organic transformations in solution medium. The chemistry concentrates here on the C-H activation (mimicking Cytochrome P450, metal-oxo species), epoxidation, hydroxylation (aliphatic and aromatic), and various oxidation reactions. We have prepared various M-oxo, M-peroxo, and M-superoxo species and explored their catalytic activity toward organic transformation. Another vital part of this chemistry is understanding the mechanistic aspects of these organic transformations to develop the most efficient catalyst.

 

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Key Publications:

3. Catalytic reactivities of a new structurally characterized mononuclear Cr(III)-superoxo complex and mechanistic insights

Das, S.; Kulbir; Sahoo, C. S.; Devi, T.*; Kumar, P.*

Inorg. Chem. 2024, (Under Review)

 

2. Nitric Oxide Oxygenation (NOO) Reactions of Cobalt-peroxo & Cobalt-nitrosyl Complexes

Kulbir; Keerthi, A. C. S.; Beegam, S.; Das, S.; Bhardwaj, P.; Ansari, M.; Singh, K.; Kumar, P.*

Inorg. Chem., 2023, 62, 7385-7392

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1. A side-on Mn(III)-peroxo supported by a non-heme pentadentate N3Py2 ligand: Synthesis, characterization and reactivity studies    

Narulkar, D. D., Ansari, A., Vardhaman, A. A., Harmalkar, S. S., Giribabu, L., Dhavale, V. M., Sankaralingam, M., Das, S., Kumar, P., Dhuri, S. N.      

Dalton Trans., 2021, 50, 2824-2831.

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One of the primary research focuses of our group is the activation of small molecules, i.e., Signalling gases (NO, CO, and H2S), ROS {O22− (-peroxo), O2− (-superoxo), O2− (-oxo)}, RNS (NO2, N2O, etc.) and their use in various catalytic reactions. We have already achieved NO & ROS activation and NO transfer reactions, as well as other catalytic reactions in this direction.

 

 

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Key Publications:

1. Mimicking the Nitric Oxide Dioxygenation (NOD) Reaction Cycle: A Comparative Study of “NOD Versus Dioxygen /or Nitric Oxide Activation

Yenuganti, M.; Das, S.; Kulbir; Ghosh, S.; Sahoo, C. S.; Kumar, P.*

Inorg. Chem. Front. 2020, 7, 4872.

 

2. Why Intermolecular Nitric Oxide (NO) Transfer? Exploring the Factors and Mechanistic Aspects of NO Transfer Reaction

Das, S.; Kulbir, K.; Devi, T.; Ghosh, S. Harmalkar, S. S.; Dhuri, S. N.; Kumar, P.*

Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 10605.

 

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We actively work on biosensors for selective and sensitive detection of biologically important molecules like O2− (superoxo), NO, CO, CO2, H2S, etc., and their biological applications. In this regard, we have developed a new molecular probe for the selective detection of the superoxide ion in both in-vitro & in-vivo systems, a kind of the first report on indirect cancer detection by optimizing the fluorescence intensity of healthy and cancerous cells. Also, we are exploring the selective detection of the signaling gases (CO, NO & H2S) using novel molecular probes.

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Key Publications:

1. Selective detection of the superoxide ion in solution media: Exploring the possibilities of an indirect way of cancer detection.  

Kulbir; Das, S.; Devi, T.; Bhardwaj, P.; Ghosh, S. Sahoo, S. C.; Kumar, P.*

Chem. Sci., 2024, 

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