Narendra Dinkar Kharat

I am a synthetic chemist specializing in the development of transition metal-catalyzed methodologies for the selective synthesis of structurally complex unnatural amino acids. My expertise encompasses integrating chemistry, catalysis, and radical reactions in organic synthesis to incorporate amino acids derived from tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan into peptides with site-specific modifications. Utilizing advanced techniques such as C-H functionalization, cross-coupling, macrocyclization, and amino acid stapling, I focus on site-selective aromatic modification, particularly of tyrosine, through organometallic catalysis. Additionally, I explore heterocyclic chemistry to enhance the structural and functional diversity of peptides. The overarching goal of my research is to establish versatile platforms for generating novel bioactive scaffolds with applications in protein labeling, molecular imaging, and therapeutic development. I am proficient in designing and synthesizing multi-step peptides, purification, and characterization, and possess skills in handling moisture-sensitive reactions. Furthermore, I have experience training undergraduate students in basic laboratory experiments, crafting clear academic papers with precision in citation standards, and developing convincing project proposals. During my Ph.D., I gained extensive experience in the synthesis and functionalization of amino acids such as tryptophan, phenylalanine, diketopiperazine (DKP), and natural products like protected bile acids and cholesterol. These processes involved C–H activation under transition metal catalysis, including C(sp³)-H, C(sp²)-H, and C(sp)-H activation, contributing to the advancement of methodologies for the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into peptides.

• Young Chemist Researcher Awards, Science Talent Search conducted by BARC Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 09/01/18
• Best Poster Presentation, ACC organized by the Indian Chemical Society, 12/20/23
• Best Poster Presentation, RSC at CRSI 2024, 02/01/24
• National Eligibility Test – Qualified CSIR-NET-LS in Chemical Sciences, CSIR-UGC, 07/01/19
• CRSI Lifetime membership, LM-1448

Expertise in multi-step synthesis, experience in air- and moisture-free manipulations (ie. Schlenk technique, glovebox operations). Proficient in designing and synthesizing dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, and pentapeptides through multistep reactions using solution-phase peptide synthesis, with hands-on experience in handling anhydrous conditions; skilled in the use of coupling agents (e.g., DCC, HOBt, EDC), protecting groups (e.g., Boc, Cbz, Fmoc, Acetyl, Phthalamide) and purification and characterization techniques such as column chromatography, TLC, and NMR spectroscopy., Conducted purification of organic compounds using recrystallization, distillation, and chromatography techniques. Utilized thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for purity analysis and monitored reaction progress., Conducted high-resolution structural elucidation of organic compounds using advanced spectroscopic techniques (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, Mass Spectrometry)., Trained undergraduate students with basic laboratory experiments.

• Expertise in designing and synthesis of multi-step peptides purification, and characterization.
• Handling of moisture-sensitive reactions.
• Trained undergraduate students with basic laboratory experiments.
• Skilled in crafting clear academic papers with precision in citation standards and proficient at developing convincing project proposals.

• Rhodium-Catalyzed Annulation of Vinylated Tyrosines with Internal Alkynes to Access Oxepine-Mounted Unnatural Tyrosines and Its Peptide Late-Stage Functionalization, Kharat, N. D.; Mahesha, C. K.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Organic Letters, 2022, 24, 6857-6862
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C3Ar-Functionalization of Tyrosines with Maleimides and Its Late-Stage Peptide Exemplification, Kharat, N. D.; Naharwal, S.; Tank, D.; Panda, S. S.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Organic Letters, 2023, 25, 7673-7677
• Iridium-Catalyzed Diacylmethylation of Tyrosine and its Peptides with Sulfoxonium Ylides, Kharat, N. D.; Naharwal, S.; Panda, S. S.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Chemical Communications, 2024, 60, 7622-7625
• Rhodium-Catalyzed [4+2] Annulative Strategies to Access Mono- and Di-substituted Pyranone-Mounted Unnatural Tyrosines using Diversified Coupling Partners, Kharat, N. D.; Naharwal, S.; Yadav, M.; Panda, S. S.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Manuscript under Preparation
• Ultrasound-Assisted β-Cyclodextrin Catalyzed One-pot Cascade Synthesis of Pyrazolopyranopyrimidines in Water, Akolkar, S. V.; Kharat, N. D.; Nagargoje, A. A.; Subhedar, D. D.; Shingate, B. B., Catalysis Letters, 2020, 150, 450-460
• Regiodivergent Synthesis of Cinnoline-Fused Indazolones through Pd-catalyzed Annulation of 1-Arylindazolones with Allenoates, Mahesha, C. K.; Naharwal, S.; Kharat, N. D.; Mandal, S. K.; Sakhuja, R., The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2022, 87, 3701-3706
• Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective C-Arylation and C,N-Diarylation of N-Aryl-2, 3-dihydrophthalazine-1, 4-diones Using Diaryliodonium Salts, Naharwal, S.; Kharat, N. D.; Mahesha, C. K.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Synthesis, 2023, 55, 3515-35251
• Rhodium‐Catalyzed Regioselective C7Ar‐Functionalization of Tryptophan with Quinones and its Late Stage Peptide Exemplification, Tank, D. H.; Kharat, N. D.; Bajaj, K.; Panda, S. S.; Sakhuja, R., Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2023, 12, e202300503
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Functionalization and Annulation of N-Aryl-2, 3-dihydrophthalazine-1, 4-diones with Allyl Alcohols, Naharwal, S.; Kharat, N. D.; Bajaj, K.; Panda, S. S.; Sakhuja, R., Chemistry an Asian journal, 2024, 19, e202400711
• Rh(III)-catalyzed fabrication of [4,3,1]-bridged diazaheterocycles over 1-arylindazolones using Quinone Monoacetals, Naharwal, S.; Kharat, N. D.; Bajaj, K.; Panda, S. S.; Bajaj, K.; Sakhuja, R., Manuscript under revision 2025

• Date of Birth: 05/02/93
• Marital Status: Unmarried

• Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C3Ar Functionalization of Tyrosines with Maleimides and Its Late-Stage Peptide Exemplification, The 60th Annual Convention of Chemists (ACC 2023), Indian Chemical Society, jointly organized by IIT Delhi Campus, 12/20/23, Best Poster Presentation Award
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C3Ar Functionalization of Tyrosines with Maleimides and Its Late-Stage Peptide Exemplification, 32nd -CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry (CRSI-NSC-32) and the 17th CRSI-RSC, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan, 02/01/24, Best Poster Presentation Award
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Annulation of Vinylated Tyrosines with Internal Alkynes to Access Oxepine-Mounted Unnatural Tyrosines and Its Peptide Late Stage Functionalization, 27th ISCB international conference (ISCBC-2022), Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, 11/16/22, Poster Presentation Award
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Annulation of Vinylated Tyrosines with Internal Alkynes to Access Oxepine-Mounted Unnatural Tyrosines and Its Peptide Late Stage Functionalization, 27th FCASI International Conference (FCASI-2023), Department of Chemistry, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, 04/20/23, Poster Presentation Award
• Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C3Ar Functionalization of Tyrosines with Maleimides and Its Late-Stage Peptide Exemplification, 7th International Symposium on C-H Activation (ISCHA 2024), IIT Bombay, India, 12/06/24, Poster Presentation Award
• Iridium-Catalyzed Diacylmethylation of Tyrosines and its Peptides with Sulfoxonium Ylides, 26th ISCB International Conference, Indian Society of Chemists & Biologists (ISCBC) and Department of Chemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India, 01/27/25, Oral Presentation

Prof. Rajeev Sakhuja (Thesis Supervisor)

rajeev.sakhuja@bits-pilani.ac.in

Mob No: +919950630310

Department ofChemistry

BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

Vidya Vihar Pilani 333 031,

Rajasthan (India).

Prof. Kiran Bajaj (Thesis Co-Supervisor)

kbajaj26@gmail.com

Mob No: +918696208955

Department of Chemistry,

Amity Institute of Applied Sciences,

Amity University, Noida

Uttar Pradesh, India

Prof. Anil Kumar

anilkumar@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

Phone: +91-1596-515663 (Off).

Department ofChemistry

BITS Pilani, PilaniCampus

Vidya Vihar Pilani 333 031,

Rajasthan (India).

Prof. Bapurao B. Shingate

bapushingate@gmail.com

Mobile: +91985029859

Department of Chemistry

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India