Personal Information

Prof. Easwar S.

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

  • Hearty Congratulations to Sachin, Nikita and Akram for the recent publication in New J. Chem. (Feb '25)
  • Sachin has joined the group of Prof. P. Anbarasan at IIT Madras as a Post-Doctoral Fellow (Dec '24). Congratulations! We wish him all the best for his future research endeavours.
  • Sachin successfully defended his Ph.D. Thesis. Congratulations to the new Doctorate! (Nov '24)
  • Hearty Congratulations to Kiran and Akram for the recent publication in Eur. J. Org. Chem. (Oct '24)
  • Hearty Congratulations to Kiran and Akram for the recent publication in Adv. Synth. Catal. (Sep '24)
  • Hearty Congratulations to Rajkiran and Suman for the recent publication in SYNTHESIS (Aug '24)
  • Rajkiran has joined the group of Prof. A. K. Ghosh at Purdue University, USA as a Post-Doctoral Fellow (Apr '24). Congratulations! We wish her all the best for her future 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.

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'

    • Access to isolable cyclic dienamines and N-aryl-2-aminobenzophenones from Morita-Baylis-Hillman ketones; S. Sharma, N. Kanwar, A. G. H. Khan and S. Easwar, New. J. Chem. 2025, 49, 4639-4646 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5NJ00182J)
    • A Formal [3+3] Annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Ketones to Construct Pyrimidobenzothiazoles; R. Kumari, S. Kumawat and S. Easwar, SYNTHESIS 2025, 57, 209-217 (DOI: 10.1055/a-2373-0255)
    • 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, 4715-4722 (DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202400791)
    • 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):

      • 61st Annual Convention of Chemists (ACC 2024) at JECRC Jaipur, Dec 2024
      • 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