DEWANJI RESEARCH GROUP

We are an organic chemistry group at the School of Chemical Sciences, IIT Mandi, working on Organic Synthesis and Catalysis. Our aim is modular synthesis of complex organic scaffolds from feedstock materials using novel synergistic catalytic manifolds.

Research Interest

Development of newer and more efficient catalytic manifolds is the path towards 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. While there is still scope for the development of newer TM-catalyzed reactions, TM-free catalytic systems have tremendously complemented them since the advent of organocatalysis. We seek to develop novel catalytic organic transformations using transition metals, simple organic molecules, organic radicals and main group elements in presence of photoirradiation or electrochemical activation.

About IIT Mandi

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi is a part of the elite cluster of IITs in India and a premiere institute for technology and science education and research. It is located near the Mandi city, a financial hub of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. IIT Mandi boasts of a picturesque campus on the bank of the Uhl river at Kamand and Salgi. It hosts nine schools and several research centers to provide the students opportunities for excellent education and cutting-edge research. It also has MoUs with several international and Indian Universities and joint programs which allow enriching collaborative education and research. The students and the faculties lead a vibrant campus life in this IIT.

News & Events

We have one open Ph.D. position in the group starting from January 2026. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Dewanji directly via email. Official advertisement has been published on IIT Mandi website.
Our first publication in the form of a review article on the Emergence of Phosphinium radical cations has been published online in Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis. Check it out!
November 2025: Dr. Shantonu Roy joins the group as ANRF-NPDF for his postdoctoral research. A big welcome to Shantonu!
November 2025: The first batch of our M.Sc. students, Akhilesh, Yash & Aparna, receive their degree at the 13th Convocation of IIT Mandi. Big congrats to all!
October 2025: Sarika and Meghan join the group for carrying out their M.Sc. Design Practicum. Welcome!
September 2025: Our M.Sc. alumna Aparna starts her Ph.D. in Prof. Rene Koenigs' group at Universität Bayreuth, Germany. All the best!
October 2024: Baldeep joins the group for her M.Sc. project. Welcome Baldeep!
June 2024: Our group actively took part in organizing the FARC 2024 conference at SCS, IIT Mandi. It was a fantastic meeting!
April 2024: Prasun Sinha, Jagritee Yadav & Priyasha Dey joined the group for their PhD. A big welcome to you all!
January 2024: Yash Aneja joins the group for his M.Sc. Design Practicum. Welcome Yash!
September 2023: M.Sc. students, Akhilesh and Aparna join the group as the first members, for their Design Practicum!