

Research Overview
It was with Friedrich Wöhler that synthetic organic chemistry became a new alias of the heresy that could disprove the clichéd notion of the Vitalism Theory - where creation of all organic molecules was presumed to be from life itself. Since then, organic chemistry rose to a height of divine prowess as naturally important molecules could be independently prepared in an artificial setting within a chemical lab. Such a drastic development was further expedited by the meteoric emergence of catalytic chemistry. In this regard, site selective C-H activation has emerged as a most economical and efficient technology, that direct fascinating chemical transformations at phenomenal success rates with an impressive array of a high order of regio and chemo selectivity under ambient conditions.
At IIT Bombay, we specialize in the regioselective transformation of C-X bonds via a plethora of functionalization/defunctionalization pathways through metal catalyzed chemical processes. Our group currently focuses on
2. Bioinspired Catalysis: Mimicking the enzymatic active site and thus their functions
3. Heterocyclic Chemistry: Metal mediated diverse method development for pharmaceuticals
4. Quantum Dots (QD) Photoredox Catalysis: Development of recyclable heterogenous photocatalytic system
5. Lignin Valorization: Improving Lignin Processing by Catalysis
6. Metal Mediated Defunctionalization: Removal of functional groups from organic molecules
Our Recent Publications

Arene Diversification via Distal C(sp2)-H Functionalization
Science 2021 (ASAP)


Debabrata Maiti
Deb obtained his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 2008. Later he moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to pursue post-doctoral studies in Prof. Steve Buchwald’s group.
He started his independent career in 2011 at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
Currently, he is a Professor of Chemistry at IIT Bombay.