Research Area

Organic Synthesis, Photocatalysis & Electrochemistry, Transition metal catalysis

• Development of new catalytic manifolds
• Modular construction of scaffolds via redox activation
• Light-driven organic synthesis, Electro-organic synthesis
• Mechanistic exploration of new catalytic reactions

Research Interests

Development of newer and more efficient catalytic manifolds is the path towards more sustainable organic synthesis. The current research interest of our group lies in developing unprecedented co-operative catalytic systems to successfully achieve novel organic transformations, with an emphasis on carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. In the last few decades, method development in organic synthesis has been largely dominated by transition metal-catalyzed reactions where carbon-carbon bond formation occupied the central stage. Despite the success of organocatalysis and organophotocatalysis, non-metallic catalyst systems collectively are far behind from matching the efficiency of transition metals. Main group elements possess enormous potential to be used as catalysts in organic synthesis. Therefore, we plan to widen the scope of 'Main Group-Catalysis' by developing newer methods through synergistic co-operation with single-electron redox catalysis while exploring the mechanistic pathway at the molecular level. Through this dual catalytic model, modular synthesis of hydrocarbon building blocks from feedstock materials will be achieved.

Representative Publications

• A. Dewanji*, P. Dey, "Recent Developments on Diverse (Hetero)Arene Functionalization via Nucleophile-triggered Umpolung of (Hetero)Aryl Phosphonium Salts", Helv. Chim. Acta, 2026, 109, e00223.
• P. Sinha, P. Dey, Y. Aneja, A. S. Tilara, A. Dewanji*, "Emergence of Phosphinium Radical Cations as Intermediates for Organic Radical Generation", Adv. Synth. Catal. 2026, 368, e70243.
• A. Dewanji, L. van Dalsen, J. A. Rossi-Ashton, E. Gasson, G. E. M. Crisenza, D. J. Procter*, "A general arene C–H functionalization strategy via electron donor-acceptor complex photoactivation", Nat. Chem., 2023, 15, 43 - 52.
• A. Dewanji, P.E. Krach, M. Rueping*, "The Dual Role of Benzophenone in Visible-Light/Nickel Photoredox-Catalyzed C-H Arylations: Hydrogen-Atom Transfer and Energy Transfer", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2019, 58, 3566 - 3570.
• T. Hokamp, A. Dewanji, M. Lubbesmeyer, C. Muck-Lichtenfeld, E-U. Wurthwein, A. Studer*, "Radical Hydrodehalogenation of Aryl Bromides and Chlorides with Sodium Hydride and 1,4-Dioxane", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 13275 - 13278.
• A. Dewanji, C. Muck-Lichtenfeld, A. Studer*, "Radical Hydrodeiodination of Aryl, Alkenyl, Alkynyl, and Alkyl Iodides with an Alcoholate as Organic Chain Reductant through Electron Catalysis", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 6749 - 6752.