Applications are invited for the post of Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in a SERB-funded research project entitled “Enantioselective C-H halogenation using first row transition metal complexes of amido-oxazoline ligand” in the lab of Dr. Basab Bijayi Dhar, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR.
Eligible and interested candidates should send their application with a complete CV (having personal and academic details, academic qualifications, research experiences, publications, name, affiliation, and email address of at least two referees) to Dr. Basab Bijayi Dhar (basab.dhar@snu.edu.in) on or before 14th February 2023. The scanned copies of marksheets/transcripts/testimonials/ certificates, a recent passport-size photograph, and other relevant documents are also requested to attach. Short-listed candidates will be communicated for an online interview.
Project Synopsis
Halogenation of unactivated strong C(sp3)-H bond under mild condition by direct means is extremely difficult for the synthesis of biologically and pharmacologically important organic compounds. In Biosynthetic process α-KG-dependent non-heme iron enzymes, heme protein chlorperoxidase (CPO) and the non-heme protein such as SyrB2 halogenate a sp3 C-H bonds of the substrate selectively via formation of chloroferryl species, [Cl(FeIV=O)]. Inspired by the reactivity of these metalloenzymes, immense research has been carried out towards the development of synthetic biomimetic catalyst for alkane halogenation and major concern is formation of unwanted hydroxylated product during the synthesis of halogenated product. Recently, we reported Ni(II) complexes supported by amido-quinoline ligands which effectively catalyse C-H chlorination of strong C-H bonds giving exclusively chlorinated products (Turn over number (TON): 220 for cyclohexane) without any hydroxylated products and thus mimicking the activity of halogenase enzyme (Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 4075-4078). This proposal aims to develop catalysts based on first row transition metal (M = Mn, Fe, Ni) with chiral amido-oxazoline tridentate and amido-bisoxazoline tetradentate acyclic ligands for sterioselective C-H halogenation with high TON comparable to that of metalloenzymes. The strong σ-donor ability of the amide donor will provide hydrolytic stability to the precursor complex and give oxidative stability to the metal oxo intermediates. However, the oxazoline moiety will control the enantioselectivity.
Nature of work
This project involves design and synthesis of amido-oxazoline tridentate and amido-bisoxazoline tetradentate acyclic ligands for stabilizing first row transition metal (M = Mn, Fe, Ni). Work will include synthesis of organic/inorganic compounds, purification by various chromatographic methods, characterization using NMR, MS, single crystal XRD, EPR, cyclic voltammetry and optical spectroscopic methods. Halogenation of unactivated C-H bonds will be carried out using NaOX as oxidant and source of halide (X = Cl, Br, I). The origin of the selectivity of the catalyst can be determined from 3o to 2o regioselectivity and substrate electronic effect on site selectivity. Enantiomeric excess (ee%) will be measured by HPLC analysis on a chiral stationary phase.
Essential and Desirable Qualifications
- The candidate should have a master’s degree (with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade) in Chemistry from a UGC-recognized University or Institution.
- Experiences in organic/inorganic synthesis, characterizations will be preferred.
- Handling gas chromatography (GC) would be an advantage.
- Candidates with CSIR/UGC-NET/JEST/GATE are encouraged to apply.
- Good written and oral communication skills is necessary.
Duration of the Project
Initially, six months (purely temporary), which can be extended further up to another two and half year based on satisfactory performance.
Fellowship
As per DST norms, the fellowship is ₹31,000/- p.m. plus HRA.
Application deadline
14th February 2023
About Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (SNIoE)
Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence is a student-centric, multidisciplinary and research-focused University offering a wide range of academic programs at the Undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral levels. The University was set up in 2011 by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, a philanthropic foundation established by Mr. Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL. The University is in the quest to become a globally acclaimed center for learning and innovation in the fields of Engineering, Natural Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Management. The core of the University consists of a select, world-class faculty with doctoral and postdoctoral experiences from ranked universities worldwide.
Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence has recently been selected as one of the ten private Institutions of Eminence by the Government. In the NIRF (Government’s National Institutional Ranking Framework), the University has been the youngest institution in the 'top 100' Overall list. In NIRF-2022, it ranked 61 in the 'University' category. Shiv Nadar University has been accredited with a Grade ‘A’ by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), valid for five years from 26 November 2019. It is also among a select group of greenfield institutions in the country that was awarded the prestigious Atal Incubation Center grant by the NITI Aayog, Government of India, in the very first round in 2017.
The Department of Chemistry is committed to pursuing research on fundamental and applied problems through an interdisciplinary research approach. The Department of Chemistry has state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure and instrumental facilities for organic and material characterization and application. The department has been ranked among the Top 25 in India in the Nature Index.