Personal Information

Dr. Easwar S.

Associate Professor and Dean (School)
Department of Chemistry

Ph. D. - National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune, Post-doctoral Research Associate - University of Bologna, Italy

easwar.srinivasan@curaj.ac.in

Broad Research Interests:

  • Synthetic Organic Chemistry
  • Total synthesis
  • Asymmetric catalysis

Current research focus:

  • Exploring the applications of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction and MBH adducts
  • Development of novel Synthetic Methodologies
  • Studies on the synthesis of Natural Products and molecular frameworks of pharmacological significance
  • Design of proline-derived organocatalysts for asymmetric transformations
  • Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched motifs that are important in the medicinal chemistry domain

Academic Background and Experience:

>> B.Sc. (1998): Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, University of Madras

>> M.Sc. (2000): Department of Chemistry, University of Pune

>> Ph.D (2006).: National Chemical Laboratroy (NCL) Pune

Supervisor: Dr. N. P. Argade; thesis work involved the total synthesis of anhydride and alkaloid based natural products, and also enzymatic resolution to access enantiomerically enriched synthons and key intermediates

2006-'08: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Bologna, Italy

Mentor: Prof. Claudio Trombini; worked in the area of asymmetric organocatalysis; developed highly efficient proline-based organocatalysts that offered excellent stereocontrol in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction under aqueous biphasic conditions.

2008-'11: Senior Research Scientist (R & D), Sai Advantium Pharma Ltd. Pune

2011-'19: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Central University of Rajasthan

Since June 2019: Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Central University of Rajasthan

RECENT NEWS

  • Oct '24 - Hearty Congratulations to Kiran and Akram for the recent publication in Eur. J. Org. Chem.
  • Sep '24 - Hearty Congratulations to Kiran and Akram for the recent publication in Adv. Synth. Catal.
  • Aug '24 - Hearty Congratulations to Rajkiran and Suman for the recent publication in SYNTHESIS
  • June '24: Sachin submitted his Ph.D. Thesis. Congratulations!
  • Apr '24: Rajkiran has joined the group of Prof. A. K. Ghosh at Purdue University, USA as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. Congratulations! We wish her all the best for her research endeavours.
  • Apr '24 - Hearty Congratulations to Sachin and Ajit for the recent publication in Org. Chem. Front.
  • Apr '24 - Hearty Congratulations to Rajkiran, Ajit and Akram for the recent publication in J. Org. Chem.
  • Mar '24 - Kiran and Rajkiran successfully defended their Ph.D. Thesis. Congratulations to the new Doctorates!
  • Sep '23 - Kiran has joined SRF Ltd, Bhiwadi as a Research Scientist. Congratulations! We wish her all the best for a successful career.
  • ES was awarded the "Professor D. K. Banerjee Memorial Lecture Awarad" by the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, "for his notable contributions in developing methods in organic synthesis" in April 2023. Congratulations to the group and alumni for all the hard work.
  • ES was recently sanctioned the prestigious MoE-STARS project, which is coordinated by IISc Bangalore. Congratulations to the group and alumni for all the hard work.

RESEARCH WORK

Our Research Group works in the following broad domains:

>> Investigating the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction and applications of MBH adducts:

- Here, our group works on exploring the MBH ketone, 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:

  1.  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)
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. Diamine-Mediated Degradative Dimerisation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Ketones; A. K. Jha, A. Kumari and S. Easwar, Chem. Commun. 2020, 56, 2949-2952 (DOI: 10.1039/c9cc10068g)

>> Asymmetric Catalysis - focused primarily 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

Recent publications in the area:

  1. 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, in press (DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202400791)
  2. 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, in press (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.202400992)
  3. 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)
  4. Proline-Histidine Dipeptide: A Suitable Template for Generating Ion-tagged Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction; H. Inani, A. Singh, M. Bhati, K. Kumari, A. S. Kucherenko, Sergei G. Zlotin and S. Easwar, Synthesis 2021, 53, 2702-2712 (DOI: 10.1055/a-1477-4871)
  5. 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)
    S. No. Authors Title of Article Journal/Conference Details Journal/Conference Publication Year
    1

                      Note: Name used in publications is 'Srinivasan Easwar'

    • 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, in press (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.202400992)
    • 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, in press (DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202400791)
    • A Formal [3+3] Annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones to Construct Pyrimidobenzothiazoles; R. Kumari, S. Kumawat and S. Easwar, SYNTHESIS 2024, 56, in press (DOI: 10.1055/a-2373-0255)
    • 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)
    • 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)
    • 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)
    • An isatin aldol adduct as a precursor to α,α’-difunctionalized methyl vinyl ketones; A. K. Jha, H. Inani, Deeksha and S. Easwar, Results in Chemistry 2022, 4, 100339
    • Proline-Histidine Dipeptide: A Suitable Template for Generating Ion-tagged Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction; H. Inani, A. Singh, M. Bhati, K. Kumari, A. S. Kucherenko, Sergei G. Zlotin and S. Easwar, Synthesis 2021, 53, 2702-2712 (DOI: 10.1055/a-1477-4871)
    • Unsymmetrical N,N’-functionalization of hydrazine by insertion into Morita–Baylis–Hillman ketones; A. K. Jha, Sarita and S. Easwar, Tetrahedron Lett. 2021, 69, 159271 (DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2021.152971)
    • Diamine-Mediated Degradative Dimerisation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Ketones; A. K. Jha, A. Kumari and S. Easwar, Chem. Commun. 2020, 56, 2949-2952 (DOI: 10.1039/c9cc10068g)
    • A Hydrazine Insertion Route to N'-alkyl Benzohydrazides by an Unexpected Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage; A. K. Jha, R. Kumari and S. Easwar, Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 8191-8195 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b02657)
    • 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)
    • An expedient access to chromanols via an arginine-mediated cascade cyclisation in water; A. K. Jha, H. Inani and S. Easwar, Tetrahedron Lett. 2018, 59, 2356-2359 (DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.05.015)
    • Exploring "Through-Bond" Proximity between the Ion-Tag and Reaction Site of an Imidazolium-Proline Catalyst for the Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction; M. Bhati, S. Upadhyay and S. Easwar, Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2017, 1788-1793 (DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201700021)
    • An Arginine-Mediated Protocol for the Aldol Addition of Methyl Vinyl Ketone in Water; H. Inani, A. K. Jha and S. Easwar, ChemistrySelect 2017, 2, 11666-11672.
    • A Nucleophilic Activation of Carboxylic Acids by Proline: Oxa-Michael Addition to Methyl Vinyl Ketone under Solvent-free Conditions; A. K. Jha, H. Inani and S. Easwar, Synlett 2017, 28, 1473-1477.
    • Proline-Mediated Baylis–Hillman Reaction of Methyl Vinyl Ketone without a Co-catalyst under Solvent-Free Conditions; H. Inani, A. K. Jha and S. Easwar, Synlett 2017, 28, 128-132.
    • Ionic liquid supported 4-HO-Pro-Val derived organocatalysts for asymmetric aldol reactions in the presence of water; A. S. Kucherenko, V. V. Perepelkin, G. M. Zhdankina, G. V. Kryshtal, Easwar S., H. Inani and S. G. Zlotin, Mendeleev Commun. 2016, 26, 388-390.
    • Synthesis of the reported protoberberine gusanlung D; P. B. Wakchaure, S. Easwar and N. P. Argade, Synthesis 2009, 1667-1672
    • The ion tag strategy as a route to highly efficient organocatalysts for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction; M. Lombardo, S. Easwar, F. Pasi and C. Trombini, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2009, 351, 276-282
    • Facile air-oxidation of N-homopiperonyl-5,6-dimethoxy-homophthalimide: simple and efficient access to nuevamine; P. B. Wakchaure, S. Easwar, V. G. Puranik and N. P. Argade, Tetrahedron, 2008, 64, 1786-1791
    • A modular approach to catalyst hydrophobicity for an asymmetric aldol reaction in a biphasic aqueous environment; M. Lombardo, S. Easwar, A. De Marco, F. Pasi and C. Trombini, Org. Biomol. Chem. 2008, 4224-4229
    • Direct asymmetric aldol reaction catalyzed by an imidazolium-tagged trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline under aqueous biphasic conditions; M. Lombardo, F. Pasi, S. Easwar and C. Trombini, Synlett 2008, 2471-2474.
    • Protonated arginine and lysine as catalysts for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction in ionic liquids; M. Lombardo, S. Easwar, F. Pasi, C. Trombini and D. D. Dhavale, Tetrahedron 2008, 64, 9203-9207
    • An improved protocol for the direct asymmetric aldol reaction in ionic liquids, catalysed by onium ion-tagged prolines; M. Lombardo, F. Pasi, S. Easwar and C. Trombini, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2007, 349, 2061-2065
    • An efficient synthesis and an enzymatic resolution of new secondary metabolites from Aspergillus wentii: Aspergillus acids A-D; S. Easwar and N. P. Argade, Synthesis 2006, 831-838
    • Amano PS-catalyzed enantioselective acylation of (±)-a-methyl-1,3-benzodioxole-5-ethanol: an efficient resolution of chiral intermediates of the remarkable antiepileptic drug candidate, (-)-talampanel; S. Easwar and N. P. Argade, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2003, 14, 333-337
    • Enantioselective enzymatic approach to (+)- and (-)-2-acetoxy/hydroxycyclopentanones; S. Easwar, S. B. Desai, N. P. Argade and K. N. Ganesh, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2002, 13, 1367-1371
    • Amano PS catalysed methanolysis of maleimides: an efficient synthesis of methyl maleanilates; S. Easwar and N. P. Argade, Indian J. Chem. 2002, 41B, 1899-1901.

    RESEARCH PROJECTS

      Ongoing Projects:

      • MoE - STARS (STARS2/2023-1017) - Exploring Cooperatively Assisted and Conformationally Constrained Bifunctional Organocatalysts for Enantioselective Mannich and Michael Addition Reactions 2023-'26
      • SERB - CRG CRG/2022/008471 - Investigation of Diverse Reactivity Patterns in Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones to access Biologically Significant Heterocyclic Scaffolds 2023-'26
      • SERB - POWER (as Co-PI)​ - Development of L-proline modified magnetoreceptor protein-coated iron beads as recyclable heterogenous biocatalyst for asymmetric transformations​ 2022-'25

      International Collaborative Research Projects carried out:

      • DST – Academy of Finland Collaborative Project – “Studies on the Asymmetric Mannich and Michael Addition Reactions Catalyzed by a Folding Bifunctional Organocatalyst”; Carried out in collaboration with and in the laboratory of Prof. Petri Pihko, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland­
      • Indo-Russian (DST-RFBR) Collaborative Project - "Synthesis and studies on catalytic performance of novel ion-tagged recyclable chiral organocatalysts generated from suitable dipeptides"; Russian collaborator: Prof. Sergei Zlotin, Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Moscow

      Other completed projects:

      • UGC sponsored project entitled "Studies towards the total synthesis of protoberberine based natural products"
      • CSIR (EMR): Design of Novel Bifunctional Amine-Urea/Thiourea Catalysts for Asymmetric C-C Bond Forming Applications 2018-'21
      • SERB (CRG): Studies on the organocatalytic enantioselective construction of tetrahydroxanthenones 2019-'22

      Attended

      Invited talks at conferences / symposia (Recent):

      • International Conference on “Emerging Trends in Catalysis and Synthesis (ETCS) at IIT Kharagpur, Mar 2024
      • Indo-French Conference on “Fostering Catalysis for Societal Benefit (FCSB)” at University of Hyderabad, Jan 2024
      • Two-Week Online Faculty Development Programme in Chemistry and Allied Sciences [FDPCAS], Central University of Jammu, Oct 2023, Resource Person
      • International Conference on Organometallics and Catalysis (ICOC), Goa, Oct-Nov 2023
      • DST-STUTI Program of Central University of Rajasthan, Aug 2023, Resource Person
      • "Prof. D. K. Banerjee Memorial Award Lecture" at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Apr 2023
      • International Conference on "Recent Advances in Chemical Sciences" at Central University of Jammu, Nov 2022
      • "Interactions 2022" Symposium at IISER Bhopal, Mar 2022
      • Expert Lectures in the Workshop on “Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Characterization”, MNIT Jaipur, Jan 2021
      • Invited Lecture in the FDP organized by Govt. Dungar College, Bikaner in association with Directorate College Education, Jaipur, under "Gyan Ganga" initiative, Jan 2021
      Title Attachment File Other Link
      CV and Research Profile PDF icon Group Picture_May 2024.pdf, PDF icon SEaswar_Resume_Oct 2024.pdf, PDF icon SEaswar_Research Profile_Oct 2024.pdf