Present research

The research efforts are directed toward the development of new asymmetric reactions that will assist in the synthesis of biologically important molecules in optically pure form. The present activities fall into three main categories:

1. Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions

• Lewis acid catalyzed asymmetric 1,2-halo-functionalization of chiral a,b-unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives.
• Enantioselective 1,2-halofunctionalization of alkenes using chiral haloimides.
• Chiral Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective 1,2-halofunctionalization of alkenes.
• Asymmetric aldol reactions towards synthesis lactones & lactums
• Asymmetric aziridination and subsequent reactions.

2. Organocatalysis

• Enantioselective synthesis of mono- and di-substituted lactones and lactums
• Enantioselective synthesis of a,b-heterobifunctionalized carbonyl compounds.

• Actively pursuing the total synthesis of a variety of natural and unnatural compounds - paraconic acids, lignans, biologically active g-butyrolactums and annulated arene heterocycles and carbocycles.

Prof. Hajra has a first hand experience in industrial R& D in Chembiotek: A TCG Life Sciences Ltd., Saltlake, Kolkata for about one and half years. During that I was looking after different pharma projects, in particular as a problem solver.

Collaborative Research:

Bio-Innovation Center: Drug Development for Type-II Diabetes: It has recently been established in IIT, Kharagpur involving a team of 15 scientists from five relevant departments/centers. Hajra’s group is actively involved in design & synthesis of new molecules, in particular, asymmetric synthesis.