The total synthesis of natural products (usually biologically active) or organic compounds having theoretical interests in chemistry or biology is still as healthy and vigorous as ever. The journey of total synthesis was started in early nineteenth century. In the year 1828 Friedrich Wohler did the first total synthesis of urea, which can be considered as the birth of total synthesis. Now, in 21st century for the determination of structure and architecture of a molecule so many powerful techniques are established. These tools allow the chemists to think for the synthesis of some highly complex molecules which cannot be even imagined in the earlier era of organic synthesis.
         The research of our group is mainly focused on the development of new synthetic methods and strategies, and their application in the total synthesis of natural products and biologically important compounds. A major thrust of our current research is the design and invention of new annulation strategies for the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic systems. Our research program is focused on the development of new reagents and methods for organic synthesis, with an emphasis on asymmetric catalysis. The achievement of our objectives requires an understanding of stereoselective synthesis, physical organic chemistry, and metal-based reactivity.

• Remarkable switch of regioselectivity in Diels-Alder reaction: Divergent total synthesis of borreverine,caulindoles and flinderoles,Org. Lett., 16, 2764 (2014).

• Biomimetic total syntheses of borreverine and flinderole alkaloids,J. Org. Chem., 78, 10106 (2013).

• FeCl3 mediated intramolecular olefin-cation cyclization of cinnamates for the synthesisof highly substituted indenes,Chem. Comm., 49, 8051 (2013).

• Cu(OTf)2 catalysed [6+2] cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of highly substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles: rapid construction of yuremamine core,Chem. Comm., 49, 3260 (2013).

• FeCl3 Catalyzed Prins-Type Cyclization for the Synthesis of Highly Substituted Indenes: Application tothe Total Synthesis of (±)-Jungianol and epi-Jungianol,Org. Lett., 15, 429 (2013).

• Asymmetric first total syntheses and assignment of absolute configuration ofoxazinin-5, oxazinin-6 and preoxazinin-7, Org. Biomol. Chem., 9, 7990 (2011).

• Biomimetic total syntheses of flinderoles B and C,J. Am. Chem. Soc., 133, 2864 (2011).

• ICES, A-STAR, Singapore, Research Fellow, 2005-2008

• Albany Molecular Research Inc., Singapore, Senior Research Scientist, 2008-2009

• Scientist E1, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 2009-2011

• Assistant Professor, IIT Kanpur, 2011-2014; Associate Professor, 2014

• ICES, A-STAR, Singapore, Research Fellow, 2005-2008

• Albany Molecular Research Inc., Singapore, Senior Research Scientist, 2008-2009

• Scientist E1, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 2009-2011

• Assistant Professor, IIT Kanpur, 2011-2014, Associate Professor, 2014

Office

FB-423 ,
Department of Chemistry
IIT Kanpur,
Kanpur 208016

Office Phone: 0512-259-6537 (O)

Email: ddethe[AT]iitk.ac.in