Ramalingam Natarajan , Ph.D.

Senior Principal Scientist
Organic & Medicinal Chemistry
details-banner

Research Interest

  1. Design and synthesis of novel receptors, through dynamic combinatorial chemistry, towards selective recognition of biologically important targets
  2. Selective and tunable transport of inorganic ions and organic molecules across bilayer membrane by novel synthetic ion channels and carriers
  3. Crystal engineering of functional organic molecules towards biomedical applications

Credentials

MSc (1998), Anna University, Chennai
PhD (2005) , Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (Prof. J Narasimha Moorthy)
Post-doctoral Fellow (2005-2006), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea (Prof. Kimoon Kim)
Post-doctoral Fellow (2006-2007) with Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at University of Wuerzburg, Germany (Prof. Frank Wuerthner) 
Post-doctoral Fellow (2007-2010), University of Bristol, UK (Prof. Anthony P. Davis)
Research Assistant Professor (2011-2013), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea (Prof. Kimoon Kim)

Patents & Publications

New Publications:

  1. Encage the Carcinogens: A Metal– “Organic Cage” Framework for Efficient Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Removal From Water. Paul, B.; Ghorai, S.; Natarajan, R. Small 2025, 21, 2408482.
  2. Chiral Self-Sorting, Spontaneous Resolution, and Hierarchical Self-Assembly in Metal–OrganicCages. Ghorai, S.; Natarajan, R. Small 2024, 20, 2400842.
  3. Metal–Organic Cage Receptors for Encapsulation and Sensing of Bile Acids. Paul, B.; Natarajan, R. Inorg. Chem. 2024, 63, 8449–8461 (with cover picture).
  4. Water-soluble triazolium covalent cages for ATP sensing. Maji, S.; Samanta, J.; Samanta, K.; Natarajan, R. Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202303596
  5. Emissive Click Cages. Maji, S.; Samanta, J.; Samanta, K.; Natarajan, R. Chem. Eur. J. 2023, e202301985
  6. A Halogen-Bonded Organic Framework (XOF) Emissive Cocrystal for Acid Vapor and Explosive Sensing, and Iodine Capture. Maji, S.; Natarajan. R. Small, 2023, 19, 2302902
  7. Cleft Receptor for the Recognition and Extraction of Tetrahedral Oxyanions. Biswas, R.; Ghorai, S.; Paul, B.; Maji, S.; Natarajan. R.* Cryst. Growth Des. 2023, 23, 4384-4394.
  8. Conformationally Flexible Cleft Receptor for Chloride Anion Transport. Biswas, R.; Samanta, K.; Ghorai, S.; Maji, S.; Natarajan. R.* ACS Omega 2023, 8, 19625-19631.
  9. Chiral self-sorting in Pd6L12 metal-organic cages. Ghorai, S.; Maji, S.; Paul, B.; Samanta, K.; Sen, S. K.; Natarajan, R. Chem. Asian J. 2023, 18, e202201312.
  10. Anion-Driven Programmable Chiral Self-Sorting in Metal-Organic Cages and Structural Transformations between Heterochiral and Homochiral Cages. Ghorai, S.; Natarajan, R. Chem. Eur. J. 2023, e202203085.
  11. Crystal Engineering of a Tetraphenol with Bispyridines toward Hydrogen-Bonded Emissive Cocrystals. Samanta, K; Maji, S; Samanta, J; Natarajan, R. Cryst. Growth Des.2021, 21, 6485 - 6496.
  12. Crystal Structure Landscape of a Triphenol: Polymorphism and Isostructurality in Solvates and Cocrystals, and pentameric and Hexameric Aromatic Stacks.Samanta, K; Samanta, J; Natarajan, R. Cryst. Growth Des.2021, 21, 166 -190. 
  13. Influence of Conformational Change and Interligand Hydrogen Bonding in a Chiral Metal–Organic Cage. Sen, S. K.; Natarajan, R. Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 7180-7188.
  14. Cofacial Organic Click Cage to Intercalate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. Samanta, J.; Natarajan, R. Org. Lett. 2016, 18, 3394-3397.
  15. Cucurbit[7]uril: A High-Affinity Host for Encapsulation of Amino Saccharides and Supramolecular Stabilization of Their α-Anomers in Water. Jung, Y; Natarajan, R.*; Ko, Y. H; Kim, K*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2014, 53, 1003-1007.

 

Crystallography Collaborations:

  1. N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) boosted photoluminescence: Synthesis, structures, and photophysical properties of bpy/phen‐Au (III)‐NHC complexes. Maity, L; Barik, S; Biswas, R; Natarajan, R; Dinda, J.App. Organometl. Chem. 2022, 36, e6854.
  2. A new 7-(diethylamino) coumarin and 4-(diethylamino) phenol appended unsymmetrical thiocarbohydrazone: Detection of moisture in organic solvent and sequential fluorimetric detection of Cu2+ ions and cysteine. Santhiya, K; Mathivanan, M; Tharmalingam, B; Anitha, O; Ghorai, S; Natarajan, R; Murugesapandian, B. J. Photochem and Photobio A2022, 432, 115105
  3. Multifunctional behavior of bis-acylhydrazone: Real-time detection of moisture in organic solvents, halochromism and aggregation induced emission. Santhiya, K; Sen, S. K; Natarajan, R; Murugesapandian, B. Dyes and Pigments2021, 185, 108891.
  4. Azomethine ylide cycloaddition: a versatile tool for preparing novel pyrrolizidino-spiro-oxindolo hybrids of the doubly conjugated alkamidepiperine. Singh, M; Krishnan, A, V, A; Mandal, R; Samanta, J; Ravichandiran, V; Natarajan, R; Bharitkar, Yogesh P; Hazra, A. Molecular Diversity2020, 24, 627-639.
  5. Enantioselective Michael Addition Reaction Catalysed by Enantiopure Binuclear Nickel (II) Close‐Ended Helicates. Chinnaraja, E.; Arunachalam, R.; Samanta, K.; Natarajan, R.; Subramanian, P. S. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2020, 362, 1144-1155.
  6. Binuclear Double-Stranded Helicates and Their Catalytic Applications in Desymmetrization of Mesodiols. Chinnaraja, E.; Arunachalam, R.; Suresh, E.; Sen, S. K; Natarajan, R.; Subramanian, P. S. Inorg. Chem.2019, 58, 4465-4479.
  7. Desymmetrization of meso diols using enantiopure zinc (II) dimers: Synthesis and chiroptical properties. Chinnaraja, E.; Arunachalam, R.; Samanta, J.; Natarajan, R.; Subramanian, P. S. Appl. Organomet. Chem. 2019, 33, e4827.
  8. Enantiomeric Resolution of Asymmetric-Carbon-Free Binuclear Double-Stranded Cobalt (III) Helicates and Their Application as Catalysts in Asymmetric Reactions. Arunachalam, R.; Chinnaraja, E.; Valkonen, A.; Rissanen, K.; Sen, S. K.; Natarajan, R.; Subramanian, P. S.Inorg. Chem.2018, 57, 11414-11421.
  9. D–A–D Structured Bis-acylhydrazone Exhibiting Aggregation-Induced Emission, Mechanochromic Luminescence, and Al (III) Detection. Santhiya, K.; Sen, S. K.; Natarajan, R.; Shankar, R.; Murugesapandian, B. J. Org. Chem. 2018, 83, 10770-10775.
  10. Synthesis of macrocyclic conjugated ψ-disacharides via nitrile oxide cycloaddition: Alkenyl chain length controlled unprecedented formation of di-oxa heterocycles from monosaccharides. Hossain, J.; Natarajan, R.; Banerjee, A. K.; Majumdar, S. Tetrahedron 2017, 73, 3139-3146.
  11. Tandem Chemoselective 1, 2‐/1, 4‐Migration of the Thio Group in Keto Thioesters: An Efficient Approach to Substituted Butenolides. Mal, K.; Naskar, S.; Sen, S.K.r; Natarajan, R.; Das, I. Adv. Synth. Catal.2016, 358, 3212-3230.
  12. Phthalate tethered strategy: carbohydrate nitrile oxide cycloaddition to 12–15 member chiral macrocycles with alkenyl chain length controlled orientation of bridged isoxazolines. Majumdar, S.; Hossain, J.; Natarajan, R.; Banerjee, A. K.; Maiti, D. K. RSC Adv. 2015, 5, 106289-106293.
  13. Through-Space 1,4-Palladium Migration and 1,2-Aryl Shift: Direct Access to Dibenzo[a,c]carbazoles through a Triple C-H Functionalization Cascade. Bhunia, S. K.; Polley, A.; Natarajan, R.; Jana, R. Chem. Eur. J. 2015, 21, 16786-16791.
  14. Synthesis of bis-pyrrolizidine fused di-spiro oxindole analogs of curcumin via one pot azomethine ylide cycloaddition: Experimentaland computational approach towards regio and diastereoselection. Bharitkar, Y. P.; Das, M.; Kumarib, N.; Kumari, M. P.; Hazra, A.; Bhayye, S. S.; Natarajan, R.; Shah, S.; Chatterjee, S.; Mondal, N. B. Org. Lett.2015, 17, 4440-4443.
  15. Tricarbonyl 99mTc(I) and Re(I)–thiosemicarbazone complexes: synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation for targeting bacterial infection. Nayak, D. K.; Baishya, R.; Natarajan, R.; Sen, T.; Debnath, M. C. Dalton Trans, 2015, 46, 16136-16148.
  16. ZnI2-Catalyzed Diastereoselective [4 + 2] Cycloadditions of β,γ-Unsaturated α-Ketothioesters with Olefins. Mal, K.; Das, S.; Maiti, N. C.; Natarajan, R.; Das, I. J. Org. Chem.2015, 80, 2972-2988.

 

Publications before joining in IICB:

  1. Hollow Nanotubular Toroidal Polymer Microrings. Lee, J. L.; Baek. K.; Kim, M.; Yun, G.; Ko, Y. H.; Lee, N. -S.; Hwang, I; Kim, J.; Natarajan, R.; Park, C. G.; Sung, W.; Kim, K. Nature Chem.2014, 6, 97-103.
  2. Tunable Porous Organic Crystals: Structural Scope and Adsorption Properties of Nanoporous Steroidal Ureas. Natarajan, R.; Bridgland, L.; Sirikilkajorn, A.; Lee, J.-H.; Haddow, M. F.; Magro, G.; Ali, B.; Narayanan, S.; Strickland, P.; Charmant, J. P. H.; Orpen, A. G.; McKewon, N. B.; Bezzu, C. G.; Davis, A. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2013, 135, 16912-16925.
  3. Tandem catalysis with a bifunctional site-isolated Lewis acid–Brønsted base metal–organic framework, NH2-MIL-101(Al) Srirambalaji, R.; Hong, S.;  Natarajan, R.; Yoon, M.; Hota, R.; Kim, Y.; Ko, Y. H.; Kim, K. Chem. Commun, 2012, 48, 11650-11652.
  4. Nanoporous Organic Alloys. Natarajan, R.; Magro, G.; Bridgland, L. N.; Sirikulkajorn, A.; Narayanan, S.; Ryan, L. E.; Haddow, M. F.; Orpen, A. G.; Charmant, J. P. H.; Hudson, A. J. Davis, A. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2011, 50, 11386-11390. Highlight: Rational Design of Multifunctional Nanopores by Mixing Matching Molecules. Mastalerz, M. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2012, 51, 584-586.
  5. Water Chains in Hydrophobic Crystal Channels: Nanoporous Materials as Supramolecular Analogs of Carbon Nanotubes. Natarajan, R.; Charmant, J. P. H.; Orpen, A. G.; Davis, A. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2010, 49, 5125-5129.
  6. Influence of Weaker Interactions on the Self-Assembly of Rigid Molecular Scaffolds Based on Tetraarylbimesityls. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Savitha, G.; Venugopalan, P. Cryst. Growth Des.2006, 6, 919-924.
  7. Anion Driven Self-Assembly of Tetrapyridyl Ligand with a Twist. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Savitha, G.; Suchopar, A.; Richards, R. M. J. Mol. Struct. 2006, 796, 216-222.
  8. Three-Dimensional Organic Scaffolds with a Twist: Synthesis and Self-Assembly. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Venugopalan, P. J. Org. Chem.2005, 70, 8568-8571.
  9. Corundum, Diamond and PtS Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with a Difference: Self-Assembly with a Unique Pair of 3-Connecting D2d-Symmetric 3,3’,5,5’-Tetrakis(4-pyridyl)bimesityl. Natarajan, R.; Savitha, G.; Dominiak, P.; Wozniak, K.; Moorthy, J. N. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2005, 44, 2115-2119.
  10. Identification of New Supramolecular Synthon in o-Anisaldehydes: Molecular Self-Assembly into Tapes and Staircases. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Venugopalan, P. J. Mol. Struct.2005, 741, 107-114.
  11. Self-Assembly of a Unique Extended-Tetrahedral 3,3’,5,5’-Tetrakis(4-pyridyl) Ligand into Discrete Supramolecular Cubes by Face Directed Metal Coordination.Natarajan, R.; Savitha, G.; Moorthy, J. N. Cryst. Growth Des.2005, 5, 69-72.
  12. Polymorphism of an o-Anisaldehyde: A Novel Example of Channel-Type Organization Sustained by Weak C-H∙∙∙O and C-H∙∙∙N Hydrogen Bonds. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Mal, P.; Venugopalan, P. New J. Chem.2004, 1416-1419.
  13. Characterization of Planar Cyclic Form of Water Hexamer in an Organic Supramolecular Complex: An Unusual Self-Assembly of Bimesityl-3,3’-dicarboxylic Acid. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Venugopalan, P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 3417-3420.
  14. Helical Self-Assembly of Substituted Benzoic Acids: Influence of Weaker X∙∙∙X and C-H∙∙∙X Interactions. Moorthy, J. N.; Natarajan, R.; Mal, P.; Venugopalan, P. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2002, 124, 6530-6531.
  15. Efficient Photocyclization of o-Alkylbenzaldehydes in the Solid State: Direct Observation of E-Xylyenolsen route to Benzocyclobutenols. Solid-State Photochromism and Photoreactivity of o- and p-Anisaldehydes. Remarkable Stabilization of o-Xylyenols. Moorthy, J. N.; Mal. P.; Natarajan, R.; Venugopalan, P. Org. Lett. 2001, 3, 1579-1582.Moorthy, J. N.; Mal, P.; Natarajan, R.; Venugopalan, P. J. Org. Chem.2001, 66, 7013-7019.
  16. Indium Trichloride-Catalyzed Imino Diels-Alder Reactions: Synthesis of New Indolylquinoline Derivatives. Babu, G.; Nagarajan, R.; Natarajan, R.; Perumal, P. T. Synthesis, 2000, 661-666.

 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=eekLzjgAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

 

➤