Research Areas
Our research lies at the interface of inorganic, organometallic, polymer, and materials chemistry. The area of our research is interdisciplinary in nature comprising the fields of synthetic inorganic, organometallic, polymer and materials chemistry. The main interest of our research is on synthesis and characterization of multifunctional organometallic complexes and polymers with special focus on side-chain metallopolymers their smart applications. Developing Metal/Metal free photo-redox catalysts for sustainable chemistry is also of our prime objective. Currently our group focusing on the following domains:
Functional Wire-like Organometallic Dyads
Over the past two decades, π-conjugated organometallic “molecular wires” have emerged as promising candidates for molecular-scale electronics due to their rigid linear structures and tunable electronic properties. These systems, often end-capped with redox-active metal centers, enable efficient metal–metal communication and long-range electronic delocalization through conjugated backbones, frequently giving rise to NIR absorption. Effective electron transfer depends on factors such as metal–metal separation, coordination environment, and optimal energy matching between metal dπ orbitals and ligand π* orbitals. In this context, our research focuses on designing trans-[–M(L)2C≡C(Ar)C≡C–]n (L = ancillary ligands, Ar = aromatic spacers, M = transition metal cation) type architectures that allow electronic communication in its metal termini. Different metal precursors with judicious designing of bridging spacers are synthesized to construct these organometallic wires. A combination of electrochemical and theoretical studies have been employed to evaluate the electronic delocalization. We are designing the organometallic conjugates to employ in redox driven catalysis for useful transformations
Publications:​​
-
Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 5918-5929.
-
Dalton Trans. 2018, 47, 14304–14317 (Selected for Themed Issue: "Molecular Metal-containing Soft Materials.").
-
Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 2, 1155–1166
-
Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2019, 2193–2201
-
Chem Asian J. 2020, 15, 3304 – 3313.
-
ChemistrySelect 2022, 7, e202200152
-
J. Chem. Sci., 2025, 137, 19 (Invited Article).
​​
Many more to come...
Metallocenes/Post-metallocenes Group 4 Catalysts for Olefin Polymerization
Group 4 metallocene and post-metallocene catalysts have revolutionized olefin polymerization by enabling precise control over polymer molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, comonomer incorporation, and microstructure. Their single-site nature and tunable ligand environments make them powerful platforms for designing high-performance polyolefins with tailored properties. Building on these advantages, our research is dedicated to developing indigenous group 4 metallocene and post-metallocene catalysts for the polymerization of olefins. We investigate the influence of ligand design, electronic effects, and steric environment on catalyst performance and polymer properties. The ultimate goal is to create highly efficient next-generation catalysts capable of producing tailor-made polyethylene and other polyolefins for advanced industrial applications
Publications:​
-
Macromol. Chem. Phys, 2025, 226, e00270.
-
Organometallics 2026, 45, 1-7 (Selected as Front Cover).
-
Catal. Today, 2026, 476, 115882.
-
J. Polym. Res., 2026, 33 (41), 1-16.
-
J. Macromol. Sci., Part A 2026., Part A: Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2026. ASAP article (DOI: 10.1080/10601325.2026.2680458).​
​
Patent:
-
Indian Patent (Patent No. 22228).
-
Indian Patent Application No: 202631089853.
​
Many more to come...
Smart Multifunctional Side-chain Metallopolymers
Metal-containing polymers represent an emerging class of hybrid materials that integrate transition metal centers into organic polymer backbones. This unique fusion combines the functional advantages of metal complexes-such as stimuli-responsive, redox activity, optical and magnetic properties etc. with the processability and flexibility of organic polymers. Owing to these synergistic features, metallopolymers are rapidly advancing as next-generation materials for smart, responsive, and functional applications. Our research is focused on the rational design and synthesis of tailored metallopolymer systems to unlock their potential across diverse domains, including stimuli-responsive materials, self-healing and shape-memory platforms, sensing, catalysis, and as biomaterials etc. Our work paves the way for innovative, multifunctional materials addressing advanced technological and environmental challenges.
Publications:
-
​ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2026, In Press.
​
Many more to come...
Metal/ Metal-Free Photocatalysts for Sustainable Chemistry
Photocatalytic reactions provide a sustainable and energy-efficient approach to chemical synthesis by utilizing visible light as a clean, abundant, and renewable energy source. Compared with conventional thermal processes, they operate under mild conditions, reduce energy consumption, minimize waste generation, and enable highly selective chemical transformations. We develop metal-based and metal-free photocatalysts to drive sustainable chemical transformations. By harnessing visible light, we engineer efficient catalytic systems for controlled polymerization, depolymerization, photo-alcohol dehydrogenation to get valuable organic products, and diverse organic reactions. Through rational catalyst design and precise structure–property tuning, our goal is to achieve high efficiency, selectivity, and recyclability, advancing greener and more sustainable solutions for chemistry.
Publications:
-
Organometallics 2025, 44, 21, 2481–2486 (Selected as Front Cover).
​​
Many more to come...
Monometallic and Heterobimetallic Catalysts for Sustainable Chemistry (Functionalization of Atmospheric COâ‚‚, Controlled Radical Polymerization and Depolymerization of Plastic Waste)
Our research focuses on the rational design and development of monometallic and heterobimetallic catalysts for sustainable chemical transformations. Monometallic catalysts are engineered to achieve high activity, selectivity, and mechanistic insight, while heterobimetallic systems are designed to exploit synergistic metal–metal cooperation for enhanced catalytic performance. These molecular catalysts are employed in diverse applications, including the functionalization of atmospheric COâ‚‚ into value-added chemicals, controlled radical polymerization for precision polymer synthesis, depolymerization of plastic waste toward a circular polymer economy, and acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation for sustainable hydrogen production and fine chemical synthesis. By integrating synthetic inorganic chemistry, mechanistic investigations, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and computational studies, we aim to develop next-generation catalytic technologies for COâ‚‚ valorization, precision polymer chemistry, plastic circularity, and sustainable chemical transformations
-
Functionalization of Atmospheric COâ‚‚ Our research is directed toward the activation and functionalization of atmospheric COâ‚‚ into value-added C1 and C2 feedstocks using monometallic and heterobimetallic transition metal complexes. Particular emphasis is placed on exploiting metal–metal cooperativity to enhance catalytic reactivity, selectivity, and mechanistic efficiency.
-
Controlled Radical Polymerization: Our research focuses on the development of monometallic and heterobimetallic transition metal catalysts for controlled radical polymerization (CRP). By exploiting synergistic metal–metal cooperativity, we aim to achieve precise control over polymer molecular weight, dispersity, chain-end fidelity, and polymer architecture, enabling the synthesis of advanced functional polymers with tailored properties
-
Depolymerization of Plastic Waste: We design monometallic transition metal catalysts for the selective depolymerization of plastic waste into valuable monomers and chemical feedstocks. Our goal is to develop efficient and sustainable catalytic processes that support a circular plastics economy.
Publications:
-
Dalton Trans. 2025, 54 (10), 3977–4012.
-
Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2018, 4063-4073.
-
Chem. Eur. J., 2025, 31, e01951 (Highlighted as a Cover Feature).​
Many more to come...
BODIPY and Allied Conjugated Polymers for Multifunctional Applications
BODIPY (boron-dipyrromethene) dyes are advanced fluorophores with a rigid, planar structure, strong visible-light absorption, high fluorescence quantum yields, sharp emission, and excellent thermal and photochemical stability. Their synthetically versatile scaffold enables precise tuning of optical properties, making them highly attractive for diverse, cutting-edge applications. In this context, our research focuses on the rational design of structurally engineered BODIPY-based ligands, conjugated polymers, and transition metal complexes for applications in metal ion sensing, singlet oxygen generation, organic lasor, explosive NAC detection, and photocatalysis
Publications:
-
New. J. Chem., 2017, 41, 2296-2308.
-
Sens. & Actuators: B. Chem., 2018, 255, 299-308.
-
Dalton Trans. 2019, 48 (6), 2108–2117.
-
New J. Chem., 2020, 40, 14650-14661.
-
Inorg. Chem. 2024, 63, 11, 4839.
-
Chem. Asian. J., 2025, 20, e202401528 (Invited Article).
​​
Many more to come...
Tailoring Terpyridyl Conjugates to Achieve Multifunctional Metallogels and genesis of self assembled functional materials
The development of functional soft materials via controlled self-assembly offers significant potential for applications in sensing, catalysis, and optoelectronics. In this context, our research focuses on two complementary supramolecular systems: metallogels and perylene diimide (PDI)-based supramolecular polymers (SMPs). Metal-ion-induced gelation as an efficient strategy to access metallogels. Self-assembled soft materials integrating metal functionalities such as redox activity, conductivity, and catalysis. In this direction, our research work focuses on developing new and novel low molecular weight (LMW) gelator-based metallogels with multifunctional and multistimuli-responsive properties for applications as smart materials, including the recently growing field of dye-adsorption, gas-sorption studies, catalytic applications and semiconducting devices.On the other side, bay-substituted PDI-based SMPs, including both metal-free and metal-coordinated systems, to elucidate the role of metal coordination in controlling self-assembly, morphology, and optoelectronic properties, enabling applications in light harvesting, OPVs, and energy-related fields.
Overall, we are focusing on understanding how molecular design, metal coordination, and environmental factors govern structure–property relationships in functional supramolecular materials.
Publications:​​
-
Sens. & Actuators: B. Chem., 2016, 226, 403-411.
-
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2017, 5, 11100-11110.
-
Sens. & Actuators: B. Chem., 2018, 254, 618-628.
-
Dyes and Pigm., 2020, 174 108032.
-
Mater. Adv., 2022, 3, 5497-5503.
-
Spectrochim Acta A: Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc., 2025, 343, 126595.
-
Dalton Trans., 2025, 54, 14687-14700 (Highlighted as a Back Cover).
​​
Patent:
-
Indian Patent ID- 21845, Application No- IN2024-31037274.
Many more to come...
Our Collaborators
-
Prof. Sabyashachi Mishra (Dept. of Chemistry, IIT Kharagpur) for theoretical insights into reaction mechanism.
​
-
Narayan C. Pradhan (Dept. of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur) for conducting the ethylene polymerization study.
​
-
Prof. Shivakiran Bhaktha B. N (Dept. of Physics, IIT Kharagpur) for investigating the photonic devices.
​
-
Prof. Sreeraj Puravankara (School of Energy Science & Engineering, IIT Kharagpur) for investigating the electrochemical energy devices.
​
-
Prof. Joe Gilroy (Dept. of Chemistry, Western University, Canada) for investigating the fluorescent and electrochemiluminescent dyes containing main group elements.
​
-
Professor Charl FJ Faul (School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, UK) for investigating of novel functional self assembled materials.
We gratefully acknowledge the following funding agencies for financial support to our research work.
