Associate Professor at Easwari Engineering College | India
Dr. N.S. Karthikeyan is an accomplished Associate Professor of Chemistry at SRM – Easwari Engineering College, Ramapuram, Chennai. With a Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis from VIT University, Vellore, and postdoctoral experience at Pusan National University, South Korea, he has made significant contributions to organic synthesis, chemo sensors, and nanomaterials. He has over 13 years of teaching and research experience and is a recipient of prestigious awards including the Young Scientist Award and fellowships from CSIR and DST-SERB. Dr. Karthikeyan has also executed multiple government and industry-funded research projects. His research output includes several patents (granted and published), high-impact publications, and collaborative industrial consultancies. As an Anna University recognized research supervisor, his work integrates academic depth with practical innovation. He continues to advance research in phenanthridine chemistry, chemo sensing technologies, and environmental applications, establishing himself as a leader in applied chemical sciences in India.
Professional Profile
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Educational
Dr. N.S. Karthikeyan began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, affiliated with the University of Madras (2000–2003), securing 67%. He pursued an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from VIT University, Vellore (2003–2005), graduating with a 7.45/10 CGPA. He then completed his Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis at VIT University (2007–2011), under the supervision of Dr. K. Sathiyanarayanan, Senior Professor of Chemistry. His thesis, titled “One-Pot Synthesis, Structural Confirmation and Biological Studies of Phenanthridines, Azabicycles, Cycloalkanones and Oxazines,” focused on multi-component synthesis strategies and bioactivity evaluation of novel heterocyclic scaffolds. Recognized for its scientific merit, his doctoral work was awarded “Highly Commended.” This solid academic foundation has shaped his research and teaching career in synthetic organic chemistry and molecular sensing technologies.
Professional Experience
Dr. Karthikeyan has over 13 years of teaching and research experience. He currently serves as Associate Professor at SRM – Easwari Engineering College, Chennai (since August 2015), where he teaches Engineering Chemistry, Environmental Science, and related lab courses. Previously, he was an Associate Professor at Vel Tech Multi Tech Engineering College, Chennai (2012–2015). He undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at Pusan National University, South Korea (2011–2012), enhancing his expertise in organometallic complexes and OLEDs. Earlier, he served as a CSIR Senior Research Fellow at VIT University (2010–2011). Throughout his career, he has led funded research projects from DST-SERB and AERB and successfully executed industry consultancy projects with companies like Synthetic Spiders and Pon Pure Chemicals. His roles have consistently blended cutting-edge research, practical application, and mentorship, making him a highly respected educator and innovator in his field.
Awards and Honors
Dr. N.S. Karthikeyan has been recognized for his excellence in research and innovation through several prestigious awards and fellowships. He received the Young Scientist Award from the Indian Council of Chemists in 2009 and the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi in 2010. He was awarded the Fast Track Young Scientist Project by DST–SERB, Government of India. His postdoctoral fellowship at Pusan National University, South Korea in 2011 added international repute to his profile. He is also a recognized Ph.D. supervisor by Anna University (Ref: 2170251). Additionally, he served as a Visiting Researcher at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi. His safety-oriented research has been supported by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). These accolades reflect his commitment to scientific excellence, societal relevance, and mentorship in the chemical sciences.
Research Interests
Dr. Karthikeyan’s research interests lie at the intersection of organic synthesis, chemosensors, organometallic chemistry, and nanomaterials. He specializes in the development of heterocyclic scaffolds, including phenanthridines, oxazines, and azabicycles, employing one-pot and multi-component reactions for high-efficiency synthesis. A significant focus of his work is on chemosensors for heavy metal ion detection, especially mercury (Hg²⁺), using innovative platforms like inkjet-printed paper strips and fluorescent probes. His work on Iridium (III) complexes for OLEDs further reflects his interdisciplinary expertise. He also contributes to environmental remediation, studying selective ligand systems for the separation of minor actinides and lanthanides, in collaboration with AERB. Through both funded and consultancy-based projects, he translates fundamental research into industrial and environmental solutions, with a focus on sustainability, green chemistry, and sensing technologies. His deep engagement in translational research places him at the forefront of applied chemical innovation in India.
Publication Top Notes
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Use of vegetable oil as fuel to improve the efficiency of cooking stove – Renewable Energy, 2008.
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Efficient iodine catalyzed three-component domino reaction for anticancer pyrrolidinones – Org. Biomol. Chem., 2012.
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Tetrazole Iridium (III) complexes as phosphorescent OLED emitters – J. Mater. Chem. C, 2016.
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(Tetrahydrodibenzo[a,i]phenanthridin-5-yl)phenol as a fluorescent probe for aniline – J. Org. Chem., 2019.
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Metal-free synthesis of tetrahydropyridines using acetic acid at room temp – Synth. Commun., 2014.
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Synthesis, structure, and anticancer activity of cyclic curcumin analogs – Med. Chem. Res., 2011.
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New synthesis route to tetrahydrodibenzo[a,i]phenanthridine derivatives – J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2009.
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Paper-based chemosensor using sulfur-bearing phenanthridines for Hg²⁺ detection – New J. Chem., 2018.
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Ammonium acetate-mediated one-pot synthesis of phenanthridines and azabicycles – Bull. Korean Chem. Soc., 2009.
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Inkjet-printed Iridium (III) complex sensor for Hg²⁺ – Dyes and Pigments, 2019.
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CuO/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites for catalytic degradation – Chemosphere, 2023.
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Role of weak C–H…F interactions in supramolecular assembly – J. Chem. Sci., 2011.
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Waste toner-derived porous iron oxides for catalysis – Environ. Res., 2023.
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Review on applications of degradable polymers – Green Biopolymers, 2019.
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Selective synthesis and structure of oxazines and Schiff bases – Asian J. Org. Chem., 2012.
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One-pot synthesis of anti-β-amino-carbonyl compounds with anticancer activity – Med. Chem. Res., 2014.
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Cobalt–chitosan scaffolds for regenerative dental applications – Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 2023.
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N-donor ligands for Am³⁺/Eu³⁺ separation using membranes and extraction – J. Environ. Chem. Eng., 2021.
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Solvent systems for Am(III)–Eu(III) separation using sulphonated ligands – J. Mol. Liq., 2020.
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Modifier-free solvents and triazines for Am(III) separation in nuclear waste – J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 2020.
Conclusion
Dr. N.S. Karthikeyan stands as a dynamic scientist and academician who blends rigorous organic synthesis with real-world chemical applications. His scholarly excellence, combined with a strong record of funded research, industrial consultancy, patent innovations, and impactful publications, positions him as a key contributor to India’s scientific and technological advancement in chemistry. His continued dedication to chemo sensors, green technologies, and separation science will undoubtedly inspire future innovation