Research Activites
We have begun to focus on two topics where we felt our knowledge base in coordination chemistry and organometallics can have an impact. One area is Asymmetric catalysis and the other is anti-cancer activity of synthetic molecules.
Historical Introduction
Our research activites have evolved from the time our research group started at the Indian Institute of Science in 1983. Until 1990, we mostly explored coordination and organometallic complexes for interesting reactivity patterns and structure types. During this time, our primariy work involved copper(I) complexes. We explored the role of Cu-Cu interactions in copper(I) clusters, reactivity of the Cu-OAr bond with soft heterocumulenes, and reactions of copper(I) compounds with organic compounds. The emphasis was on the structure and chemistry of copper(I) compounds
In the second phase, we added other themes to our studies on copper(I). We developed polynuclear ferrocene compounds and their charge transfer complexes. This led us to studies on their Non linear optical properties and their modulation with hydrogen bonds or charge transfer interactions.
We also started investigations on the reactivity of carbon dioxide and other heterocumulenes with Ti4+. This led us to new reactions hitherto unknown in the chemistry of titanium! At the same time, we found that the chemistry of anions was poorly understood in many complexes. We studied the role of weak interactions in phosphines and anions and how their role affects the structure of copper(I) compounds. We could summarize this time in our research life as being structure and reaction based, a time when we primarily asked fundamental questions.
However, in a third phase which we are in right now, our research emphasis has changed significantly. It is more application oriented. We wish to tackle more complex questions of how the role of metal ions in the cell can be modulated to acheive therapeutic or diagnostic effects.