Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | India
Dr. E. Gnanamani is a distinguished Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, with an impactful career in chemistry marked by innovation in microdroplet chemistry and asymmetric catalysis. He is also an Associate Editor for Current Indian Sciences, reflecting his leadership in the academic community. His research bridges the frontiers of organic synthesis and mass spectrometry, contributing significantly to both fundamental and applied chemistry.
Author Profile👤
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Strengths for the Awards✨
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Pioneering Research in Microdroplet Chemistry
Dr. Gnanamani has carved a niche in microdroplet chemistry, a cutting-edge domain that accelerates chemical reactions, enabling greener, faster, and novel synthetic transformations. His collaborations with Prof. Richard N. Zare (Stanford University), a global leader in the field, have resulted in high-impact publications in JACS, Angew. Chem., Chem. Sci., and Nature Catalysis.
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Consistent High-Impact Publications
With over 30 peer-reviewed articles in journals with impact factors ranging from 3.4 to 42.8, his work is not only prolific but also highly influential. Several publications are highlighted in Chemistry World, Nature Partner Journals, and other prominent science media outlets.
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Global Research Exposure & Leadership
His international research fellowships and visiting positions at Stanford University, Fudan University, ICCAS (Beijing), and IIT-Kanpur demonstrate strong cross-institutional engagement and recognition. Notably, his Fulbright Fellowship, awarded to only one chemist across India in 2014, underscores his global merit.
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Inventive Mindset with Patents
Dr. Gnanamani holds multiple international patents (USA, Europe, Mexico, China) reflecting innovation in catalysis and chemical synthesis.
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Academic Influence and Outreach
As an Assistant Professor at IIT-Roorkee and Associate Editor for Current Indian Sciences, he plays an active role in mentoring, academic publishing, and scientific dissemination. His numerous invited talks at international conferences show leadership in his field.
🎓 Education
Dr. Gnanamani earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Pondicherry University (2007–2013), where he worked on the design, synthesis, and resolution of conformationally rigid chiral pyridine N-oxides under the supervision of Dr. C. R. Ramanathan. Prior to this, he completed an M.Phil. in Chemistry from Pondicherry University (2006–2007) and an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Madurai Kamaraj University (2004–2006), both with first-class honors, showcasing early academic excellence.
💼 Experience
Dr. Gnanamani has served as Assistant Professor at IIT Roorkee since March 2020, specializing in microdroplet chemistry and analytical techniques. He has held several prestigious international positions, including Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University under Prof. Barry M. Trost and as a Visiting Faculty at Fudan University and IIT-Kanpur, collaborating with renowned chemists like Prof. Richard N. Zare and Prof. Vinod K. Singh. His career demonstrates an ongoing commitment to global scientific exchange and innovation.
🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry
Dr. Gnanamani’s research is pioneering in microdroplet chemistry, focusing on accelerating organic reactions and elucidating mechanisms via mass spectrometry. He designs novel chiral molecules for organometal and organocatalysis, engages in the total synthesis of bioactive natural products, and explores classical resolution techniques for determining absolute configuration. His work consistently merges synthetic elegance with practical application.
🏆 Awards
Dr. Gnanamani has received numerous accolades, including the ChemComm Emerging Investigator 2024, the Patent Innovator Award 2021 (PROFOPI, Mexico), and the Fulbright Award 2014 (the only chemist selected from India). Other honors include the Developing Country Fellowship (China), CSIR-SRF, UGC Meritorious Fellowship, and Best Oral Presentation Award at NCFAC, among others. His early success in GATE (2007) reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence.
📚 Publications
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Can all bulk-phase reactions be accelerated in microdroplets?
S. Banerjee, E. Gnanamani, X. Yan, R. N. Zare
Year: 2017 Citations: 213
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Direct enantio- and diastereoselective vinylogous addition of butenolides to chromones catalyzed by Zn-prophenol
B. M. Trost, E. Gnanamani, C. A. Kalnmals, C. I. J. Hung, J. S. Tracy
Year: 2019 Citations: 88
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Chemoselective N-alkylation of indoles in aqueous microdroplets
E. Gnanamani, X. Yan, R. N. Zare
Year: 2020 Citations: 78
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Branched aldehydes as linchpins for the enantioselective and stereodivergent synthesis of 1,3-aminoalcohols featuring a quaternary stereocentre
B. M. Trost, C. I. Hung, T. Saget, E. Gnanamani
Year: 2018 Citations: 62
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Direct C(sp3)–N bond formation between toluene and amine in water microdroplets
Y. Meng, E. Gnanamani, R. N. Zare
Year: 2022 Citations: 58
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Zn-ProPhenol catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective direct vinylogous Mannich reactions between α, β- and β, γ-butenolides and aldimines
B. M. Trost, E. Gnanamani, J. S. Tracy, C. A. Kalnmals
Year: 2017 Citations: 57
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1,4-Benzoquinone antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis derived from scorpion venom
E. N. Carcamo-Noriega, S. Sathyamoorthi, S. Banerjee, E. Gnanamani, …
Year: 2019 Citations: 54
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Controlling regioselectivity in the enantioselective N-alkylation of indole analogues catalyzed by dinuclear zinc-ProPhenol
B. M. Trost, E. Gnanamani, C. I. Hung
Year: 2017 Citations: 53
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One-step formation of pharmaceuticals having a phenylacetic acid core using water microdroplets
Y. Meng, E. Gnanamani, R. N. Zare
Year: 2023 Citations: 46
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Catalyst-free decarboxylative amination of carboxylic acids in water microdroplets
Y. Meng, E. Gnanamani, R. N. Zare
Year: 2022 Citations: 46
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Tuning the reactivity of ketones through unsaturation: Construction of cyclic and acyclic quaternary stereocenters via Zn-ProPhenol catalyzed Mannich reactions
B. M. Trost, C. I. J. Hung, E. Gnanamani
Year: 2019 Citations: 45
🧾 Conclusion
🌟 Dr. E. Gnanamani stands out as a visionary chemist whose groundbreaking research in microdroplet chemistry has redefined reaction paradigms and accelerated green and sustainable synthetic methodologies. His global collaborations, patent innovations, and high-impact publications make him a highly deserving candidate for any prestigious research award. With his unwavering commitment to chemical sciences and mentorship, Dr. Gnanamani continues to inspire the next generation of scientists.
