Dr. Rakesh Kumar

Contact Info
Dr. Rakesh Kumar
8054507941
9877459298
Assistant Professor
Dr. Rakesh Kumar

Assistant Professor Department of Chemistry School of Basic Sciences

Qualification

PhD

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology

Experience

Assistant Professor (July 2015-Present): Department of Chemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.

DST Young Scientist (Dec. 2014-July 2015): Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. Worked on a project sponsored by Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, under Fast Track Scheme.

Assistant Professor (July 2013-Nov. 2014): Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences, CSK-HPKV, Palampur (H.P)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Feb.2012-Feb. 2013): Laboratory for Organic & Microwave-Assisted Chemistry (LOMAC), University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Worked on the design and development of novel strategies for the construction of bioactive compounds like cyclic guanidines and benzodiazepene scaffolds. 

Senior Research Fellow (April 2008-March 2011): CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, India. Designed and developed various transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling strategies for the synthesis of stilbenoids. Also, we have explored the synthesis of a series of bioactive phenolics from abundantly available natural phenylpropenes.

Junior Research Fellow (March 2006-March 2008): CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, India. Worked on the development of various green methodologies utilizing microwave, ionic liquids and aqueous media reactions.

Research Area

Research Area:

Organic Synthesis and Green Chemistry 

Development of new and environmentally friendly methodologies for C-C and C-N bond formation and mechanistic studies.

Teaching Assignments:

  • Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • Spectroscopic Analysis
  • Organic Chemistry-I
  • Organic Chemistry-III
  • Pharmaceutical Products
  • Recent Trends in Synthetic Strategies and Green Catalysis
  • Organic Synthesis and Catalysis
  • Green Chemistry
Research Interests

Direct C-H bond activation/functionalization strategies, Ionic liquids, Microwave-assisted organic synthesis, Multi-component reactions (MCRs), Heterogeneous catalysis etc..

Use of abundantly available and stable surrogates in coupling reactions, Organometallic complexes and their applications in organic synthesis, Economical synthesis/semi-synthesis of various bioactive molecules.

Mechanistic studies for finding probable reaction pathways.

Research Grants/Projects

1. Direct C-H bond functionalization of heteroarenes via dehydrative and dehydrogenative coupling strategies, 2014-2017, DST-SERB, Govt. of India, 16.59 Lakh

2. Green approaches for C-C bond formation via direct decarboxylative coupling strategies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (RSM), 2017 - 2019, 3.0 Lakh 

Professional Affiliation

Received complimentary membership of the American Chemical Society (ACS) for one year in 2020

Professional Recognition/Awards/Scholarships
  • Junior Research Fellowship/ Senior Research Fellowship in chemistry, sponsored by CSIR Delhi, awarded on the basis of National Eligibility Test (NET) held in 2005 for pursuing research.
  • GATE-2006 with All India Rank 71
  • FWO-Postdoc Fellowship (2012-13) from University of Leuven (KU Leven), Belgium
  • Dr. P.D. Sethi Award for Research Paper (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 2636) on Application of HPTLC/TLC in Pharma, Herbal, and Other Chemical Analysis
  • Awarded complementary ACS membership in 2020
  • Research Award 2021: CUP, Bathinda (for cumulative impact more than 15)
  • Research Award 2021: CUP, Bathinda (for publication with >10 impact factor)
Research Collaboration

1. Dr. Vinod Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry Central University of Punjab, Bathinda

2. Dr. Kamlesh K. Gurjar, Assistant Professor, VGEC, Ahmedabad, India

3. Prof. Dinkar Sahal, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi

Publications
  1. Kaur, P., Sharma, P., Kumar, V., Sahal, D., Kumar, R. Chitosan-supported FeCl3 catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline-indole hybrids with promising activity against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum, Journal of Molecular Structure, 2023, 1274, 134406 (I.F. 3.84)

  2. Kumar, B., Kumar, N., Thakur, A., Kumar, V., Kumar, R. & Kumar V. (2022). A review on the arylpiperazine derivatives as potential therapeutics for the treatment of various neurological disorders. Current Drug Targets, 23(7), 729-751 (I.F. 2.9)

  3. Kumar B., Thakur A., Dwivedi A. R., Kumar R., & Kumar V. (2021), Multi-Target-Directed Ligands as an Effective Strategy for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, Current Medicinal Chemistry, (accepted) (I.F. 4.53)

  4. Kaur, P., Kumar, B., Gurjar, K. K., Kumar, R., Kumar V., & Kumar R. (2020). Metal-and solvent-free multicomponent decarboxylative A3-coupling for the synthesis of propargylamines: Experimental, computational and biological investigations, The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 85(4), 2231-2241. (I.F. 4.34)
  5. Kaur, P., Kumar, V., & Kumar R. (2020). Recent advances in decarboxylative C-C bond formation using direct or in situ generated alkenyl acids, Catalysis Reviews, 62(1), 118-161. (I.F. 11.39)
  6. Kaur, P., Gurjar, K. Kumar, V., Gohit, G., Gupta, V., & Kumar R. Metal-free multicomponent construction of tetrahydroisoquinoline-indole derivatives via In situ generated ortho-quinonoid Intermediate, ChemistrySelect, 2020, 5, 12514-12520
  7. Kaur, P. & Kumar R. (2020). Recent advances in the C(1)-functionalization of tetrahydroisoquinolines via multicomponent reactions, Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, 56, 422-432 (I.F. 1.52)
  8. Kaur, P., Kumar, B., Kumar, V., & R. Kumar (2018), Chitosan-supported copper as an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for A3/decarboxylative A3-coupling reaction. Tetrahedron Letters, 2018, 59, 1986-1991. (I.F. 2.28)
  9. Kumar, R., & Van der Eycken, E. V. (2013). Recent approaches for C–C bond formation via direct dehydrative coupling strategies. Chemical Society Reviews, 42(3), 1121-1146. (I.F. 42.85)
  10. Kumar, R., Shard, A., Bharti, R., Thopate, Y., & Sinha, A. K. (2012). Palladium‐catalyzed dehydrative Heck olefination of secondary aryl alcohols in ionic liquids: Towards a waste‐free strategy for tandem synthesis of stilbenoids. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51(11), 2636-2639. (I.F. 12.96)
  11. Sharma, U. K., Sharma, N., Kumar, R., Kumar, R., & Sinha, A. K. (2009). Biocatalytic promiscuity of lipase in chemoselective oxidation of aryl alcohols/acetates: A Unique synergism of CAL-B and [hmim] Br for the metal-free H2O2 activation. Organic Letters, 11(21), 4846-4848. (I.F. 6.09)
  12. Sharma, A., Sharma, N., Kumar, R., Shard, A., & Sinha, A. K. (2010). Direct olefination of benzaldehydes into hydroxy functionalized oligo (p-phenylenevinylene)s via Pd-catalyzed heterodomino Knoevenagel-decarboxylation-Heck sequence and its application for fluoride sensing π-conjugated units. Chemical Communications, 46(19), 3283-3285. (I.F. 6.0)
  13. Kumar, R., Ermolat’ev, D. S., & Van der Eycken, E. V. (2013). Synthesis of differentially substituted 2-aminoimidazolidines via a microwave-assisted tandem Staudinger/Aza-Wittig cyclization. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 78(11), 5737-5743. (I.F. 4.34)
  14. Peshkov, A. A., Peshkov, V. A., Pereshivko, O. P., Van Hecke, K., Kumar, R., & Van der Eycken, E. V. (2015). Heck-Suzuki tandem reaction for the synthesis of 3-benzazepines. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 80, 6598-6608. (I.F. 4.34)
  15. Sharma, A., Sharma, N., Kumar, R., Sharma, U. K., & Sinha, A. K. (2009). Water promoted cascade rearrangement approach towards α-aryl aldehydes from arylalkenes using N-halosuccinimides: An avenue for asymmetric oxidation using phase transfer cinchona organocatalysis. Chemical Communications, 5299-301. (I.F. 6.0)
  16. Kumar, R., Mohanakrishnan, D., Sharma, A., Kaushik, N. K., Kalia, K., Sinha, A. K., & Sahal, D. (2010). Reinvestigation of structure–activity relationship of methoxylated chalcones as antimalarials: Synthesis and evaluation of 2, 4, 5-trimethoxy substituted patterns as lead candidates derived from abundantly available natural β-asarone. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 45(11), 5292-5301. (I.F. 5.57)
  17. Sharma, A., Kumar, R., Sharma, N., Kumar, V., & Sinha, A. K. (2008). Unique versatility of ionic liquids as clean decarboxylation catalyst cum solvent: A metal‐and quinoline‐free paradigm towards synthesis of indoles, styrenes, stilbenes and arene derivatives under microwave irradiation in aqueous conditions. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 350(18), 2910-2920. (I.F. 5.45)
  18. Sharma, N., Sharma, U. K., Kumar, R., Katoch, N., Kumar, R., & Sinha, A. K. (2011). First bovine serum albumin‐promoted synthesis of enones, cinnamic acids and coumarins in ionic liquid: An insight into the role of protein impurities in porcine pancreas lipase for olefinic bond formation. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, 353(6), 871-878. (I.F. 5.85)
  19. Sharma, N., Sharma, A., Shard, A., Kumar, R., Malik, S., & Sinha, A. K. (2011). Pd-catalyzed orthogonal Knoevenagel/Perkin condensation-decarboxylation-Heck/Suzuki sequences: Tandem transformations of benzaldehydes into hydroxy functionalized antidiabetic stilbene-cinnamoyl hybrids and unsymmetrical distyrylbenzenes. Chemistry-A European Journal, 17(37), 10350-10356. (I.F. 4.86)
  20. Sharma, A., Sharma, N., Shard, A., Kumar, R., Mohanakrishnan, D., Sinha, A. K., & Sahal, D. (2011). Tandem allylic oxidation–condensation/esterification catalyzed by silica gel: an expeditious approach towards antimalarial diaryldienones and enones from natural methoxylated phenylpropenes. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 9(14), 5211-5219. (I.F. 3.41)
  21. Kumar, R., Sharma, A., Sharma, N., Kumar, V., & Sinha, A. K. (2008). Neutral ionic liquid [hmim] Br as a green reagent and solvent for the mild and efficient dehydration of benzyl alcohols into (E)‐Arylalkenes under microwave irradiation. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2008(33), 5577-5582. (I.F. 2.89)
  22. Sharma, N., Sharma, A., Kumar, R., Shard, A., & Sinha, A. K. (2010). One‐pot two‐step oxidative cleavage of 1, 2‐arylalkenes to aryl ketones instead of arylaldehydes in an aqueous medium: A complementary approach to ozonolysis. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2010(31), 6025-6032. (I.F. 2.89)
  23. Kumar, R., Sharma, N., Sharma, N., Sharma, A., & Sinha, A. K. (2011). Metal-free activation of H2O2 by synergic effect of ionic liquid and microwave: Chemoselective oxidation of benzylic alcohols to carbonyls and unexpected formation of anthraquinone in aqueous condition. Molecular Diversity, 15(3), 687-695. (I.F. 2.01)
  24. Kumar, R., Sharma, P., Shard, A., Tewary, D. K., Nadda, G., & Sinha, A. K. (2012). Chalcones as promising pesticidal agents against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella): Microwave-assisted synthesis and structure–activity relationship. Medicinal Chemistry Research, 21(6), 922-931. (I.F. 1.78)
  25. Sharma, U. K., Sood, S., Sharma, N., Rahi, P., Kumar, R., Sinha, A. K., & Gulati, A. (2013). Synthesis and SAR investigation of natural phenylpropene-derived methoxylated cinnamaldehydes and their novel Schiff bases as potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. Medicinal Chemistry Research, 22(11), 5129-5140. (I.F. 1.78)
  26. Bhardwaj, A., Kumar Tewary, D., Kumar, R., Kumar, V., Kumar Sinha, A., & Shanker, A. (2010). Larvicidal and structure–activity studies of natural phenylpropanoids and their semisynthetic derivatives against the tobacco armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fab.)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Chemistry & Biodiversity, 7(1), 168-177. (I.F. 2.04)
  27. Sharma, U. K., Sharma, N., Salwan, R., Kumar, R., Kasana, R. C., & Sinha, A. K. (2012). Efficient synthesis of hydroxystyrenes via biocatalytic decarboxylation/deacetylation of substituted cinnamic acids by newly isolated Pantoea agglomerans strains. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 92(3), 610-617. (I.F. 2.61)
  28. Sinha, A. K., Sharma, N., Shard, A., Sharma, A., Kumar, R., & Sharma, U. K. (2009). Green methodologies in synthesis and natural product chemistry of phenolic compounds. Indian Journal of Chemistry Section B, 48(12), 1771. (I.F. 0.39)
  29. Sinha, A. K., Kumar, V., Sharma, A., Sharma, A., & Kumar, R. (2007). An unusual, mild and convenient one-pot two-step access to (E)-stilbenes from hydroxy-substituted benzaldehydes and phenylacetic acids under microwave activation: A new facet of the classical Perkin reaction. Tetrahedron, 63(45), 11070-11077. (I.F. 2.23)
  30. Kumar, B., Kumar, R., Skvortsova, I., & Kumar, V. (2017). Mechanisms of Tubulin Binding Ligands to Target Cancer Cells: Updates on Their Therapeutic Potential and Clinical Trials. Current Cancer Drug Targets, 17(4), 357-375. (I.F. 2.91)
  31. Neha, Dwivedi, A. R., Kumar, R., & Kumar, V. (2018). Recent Synthetic Strategies for Monocyclic Azole Nucleus and its Role in Drug Discovery and Development. Current Organic Synthesis, 15(3), 321-340. (I.F. 1.98)

 

Book Chapter

Sinha, A. K., & Kumar, R. (2021). Recent advances for construction and late-stage diversification of indole core via C–H bond activation/functionalization. Green Synthetic Approaches for Biologically Relevant Heterocycles, 207-248.

Research Guidance

PhD Students:

PhD Awarded: Ms. Pavneet Kaur (DST-INSPIRE Fellow)

ThesisTitle: Green Methodologies for C-C and C-N Bond Formation Using Transition Metal Catalysis and Multicomponent Reactions

PhD Persuing:

Mrs. Manpreet Kaur

Ms. Divya Verma

 

MSc Students who completed their Dissertation:

2023

Aadarsh Shrivastav, Gracy Sharma, Amit Singh, Anusha C M, Divya

2022

Sakshi, Kushi Badwar, Yashu Gupta, Rajsree Das, Muhammad maqsood, Arpita Roshani Behera, Sarmistha Rabha

2021

Theertha R., Prajit, Sawati Sharma, Biswarup Dey, Sambhavi Pathak, Sanjana Pathak, Shamseerul Haque

2020

Soni Kumar, Archana, Sahil Jindal, Niaz Ahmed, Manisha, Ayushi Gupta, Diptimayee Rout, Hitesh Mallick       

2019

Yashika Thakur, Jagdish Chandra Jat, Pragya Gaur, Pavitra Yadav, Rumandeep Kaur, Priyanka Kumari,

2018

Ram Singh Jat, Sonali Gohit, Nikhil Mehar, Rohtash Kumar

2017

Shivani Rani, Kushal Kumar, Poornima Kamboj

Conference/ Workshops/Seminars Attended

R. Kumar, B. Kumar, P. Kaur, “Chitosan-supported copper as an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for waste-free A3 coupling” International conference on Current Trends in Drug Discovery and Research, CSIR-CDRI Lucknow; February 25-28, 2016

R. Kumar, P. Kaur, “A green and recyclable chitosan supported catalyst for A3-coupling and decarboxylative A3-coupling” Contemporary Facets in Organic Synthesis (CFOS), IIT Roorkee, December 22-24, 2017

R. Kumar, “Green Chemistry: Emerging Trends in Organic Synthesis” Motivational Contact Programme for Talented School Students of Punjab, State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST) & CUP Bathinda  September 14-18, 2015

R. Kumar, D. Ermolat’ev, E. Van der Eycken, “Microwave-assisted intramolecular Staudinger/aza-Wittig reaction: A new approach to 2-aminoimidazolidines” 16th Sigma Aldrich Organic Synthesis Meeting, 2012, Spa, Belgium.

R. Kumar, D. Ermolat’ev, E. Van der Eycken, “A novel approach to cyclic guanidines (2-aminoimidazolidines)”, 13th Belgian Organic Synthesis Symposium (BOSS-XIII) held on 15-20th July, 2012 at Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium. (Member of the organising team and poster presentation). November 21-26, 2010, Ranikhet, Almora, India.

R. Kumar, A. Sharma, N. Sharma, V. Kumar, A. K. Sinha. “A green microwave induced decarboxylation of indole and nitro aryl substituted carboxylic acid”, 12th International ISCBC conference on the Interface of Chemistry and Biology (Feb. 22-24, 2008) at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India.

2nd National Symposium on Analytical Sciences (NSAS) on “Analytical innovations for Process and Technology Development” (Nov. 23-25, 2008) at Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, India. (Member of the organising team)

3rd International Conference on “Council of Surface Science and Catalysis” (Dec. 8-9, 2003) at Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, M.D.S. University, Ajmer, India.

As a team leader (Poster presentation by PhD students):

A recyclable chitosan supported copper catalyst for synthesis of propargylamines via multicomponent coupling” 9th National Conference on Recent Advances in Chemical, Biological & Environmental Sciences (RACES-2018), M. M. Modi College, Patiala, February 09-10, 2018.

“A green and recyclable chitosan supported catalyst for A3-coupling and decarboxylative A3-coupling” ACS on CAMPUS, India Road Show, IISER Mohali, 9th February, 2018.

“Biopolymer supported recyclable catalysts for the synthesis of bioactive propargylamines and imidazopyridines via multicomponent reactions” International conference-cum workshop on Informatics Tools in Drug Discovery and Drug Delivery, Punjabi University, Patiala, November 1-4, 2018.

“Green access towards multicomponent synthesis of propargylamines via simultaneous C-C and C-N bond formation” International Conference on Chemical Constellation Cheminar-2019 (C3-2019), Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, October 12-13, 2019.

 

Conference/ Workshops/Seminars Organised
University Level
Teacher’s Training Workshop of 2-days in CUPB on “Olympiads” in collaboration with TIFR & Society for Promotion of Science and Technology, India.

 

Invited Talks/ Resource Person
1. Delivered an invited lecture, as a distinguished speaker, on “Multicomponent Coupling Strategies using chitosan-based heterogeneous Catalysts” in an “International Conference on Recent Advances on Green and Sustainable Developments (ICRAGSD 2023” organised by Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, in collaboration with Green Chemistry Network Centre, University of Delhi and Indian Chemical Society Kolkata, from 06.09.2023-08.09.2023 (Lecture on 08.09.2023)
Invited Lecture on “Use of ICT for Understading Molecular Shapes and Substitution Reaction” in the Capacity Building programme for SRGs of Northern Region on attainement of Learning Outcomes through ICT integrated pedagogy at Secondary stage, from 05-09, 2022, organised by RIE Ajmer, a Constituent unit of NCERT, New Delhi (Lecture on 08.12.2022)

2. Invited lecture/demonstration of Extraction techniques and GC-MS analysis, in the workshop on “Spectroscopic, Chromatographic, Bioanalytical & Imaging Techniques: from 28th Nov. to 04th Dec. 2022, organised CUP Bathinda and Amity University, Noida funded by DST, Govt. of India under STUTI Scheme. (Demonstration on 01.12.2022)

3. Hands on training on NMR Sample preparation and Demonstration of its Chemical and Biological Applications, in the workshop on “Spectroscopic, Chromatographic, Bioanalytical & Imaging Techniques: from 28th Nov. to 04th Dec. 2022, organised CUP Bathinda and Amity University, Noida funded by DST, Govt. of India under STUTI Scheme. (Demonstration on 30.11.2022)

4. Chaired a session Session in National Conference on Frontiers in Chemical Science ( NCFCS-2022) at Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharmshala; Nov. 4-5, 2022

5. Delivered a Lecture in the workshop entitled “Spectroscopic Techniques Using Sophisticated Instrument” from October 18-24, 2021 sponsored by Science and Engineer Research Board (SERB) under ‘KARYASHALA’ scheme of Accelerate Vigyan.
Patent Filed/ Published

Sinha, A. K. Kumar, R. Sharma, A. & Sharma N. One pot multicomponent synthesis of some novel hydroxy stilbene derivatives with alpha, beta-carbonyl conjugation under microwave irradiation. US US8716532B2. 

Sinha, A. K. Sharma, A. Kumar, R. & Sharma N. Microwave induced single step green synthesis of some novel 2-aryl aldehydes and their analogues. US8779200B2.

Citations

As per Google Scholar:

Citations

 

1137

  
h-index 18  
i10-index 24  
Curricular Development
Member of Board of Studies of Department of Chemistry, Also served as member of School Board for the School of Basic & Applied Sciences
Member of Curriculum Design and Development Committee of the Department of Chemistry