Major Research Work Undergoing in UDCT:

Chemical Engg. Division : Design of multi phase reactors, design of multiphase reactions, separation processes, catalysis, bioseparation, enzyme technology, environmental engg., process development, computer aided mathematical modeling and stimulations, modeling of stirred reactors, pollution control etc.,

Tech. of Intermediates and Dye-stuff Division : Synthesis of heterocyclic, carbocyclic, fluorescent compounds, synthesis and applications of high performance azo pigments, synthesis of laser dyes, process development and standardization of Intermediates, pharmaceutical intermediates, liquid crystal dyes and intermediates, environmental aspects of Dyestuff etc.,

Tech. of Textiles and Fiber Processing: Eco-friendly textile processing, computer colour matching, exploiting the use of natural dyes, application of alternative sources enzymes and their use in textiles, Electro kinetic studies, effluent treatment studies, colouration of all forms of man made fibers etc.,

Foods and fermentation Division : Fermentative production of enzymes & industrial chemicals, technology of traditional food, plant tissue culture, natural food colours, bioconversions, food quality analysis, supercritical extractions of valuable good constituents etc.,

Tech. of Oils Surfactants & Oleoresin Division : Energy efficient & eco-friendly processes in oil seeds processing & utilization , novel surfactants and speciality chemicals, edible oil & oil based products, uses of oleochemical , waxes in cosmetics etc.,

Tech. of Pharmaceuticals & Pharmacy Division: Novel reaction search, asymmetric synthesis, natural products, drug design & discovery, new drugs and drug intermediates and their analyses, computer aide drug design, drug delivery systems etc.,

Paints & Polymer Division: Polymer recycling , blends, rheological studies, synthesis and characterization of resins, colouration & colour matching synthesis of inorganic and organic pigments, ion exchange resins etc.,

Applied Chemistry Division : Sonochemistry, microwave technology, catalysis, surface chemistry, green chemistry, solvent extraction, electro chemistry etc.,

Applied Physics: Polymer physics, laser, colour physics, plasma physics etc.

Applied Mathematics: Computer applications, computer programming for chemical engineering applications and other modeling problems etc.,

Division of Technology of Intermediates & Dyes

Synthesis of intermediates, pigments, and dyes via various unit processes like nitration, sulphonation, halogenation, diazotization, and coupling etc. starting from a large number of raw materials.

Paints and Polymer Technology Division

1. Polymer Pigments: Fine, Perfectly spherical functional polymers are converted in coloured particles which are very easily dispersible in plastics. Characterized by very high colour strength and out standing resistance to chemicals & light. Indian Patent has been applied.

2. Propane 1-3 diol (TMG): Also known as trimethylene glycol. Seated to replace ethylene glycol in synthetic fibres, is presently manufactures from glycerol by biological process using special bacteria. Alternate Chemistry has been used which uses mild conditions and inexpensive basic raw materials. Indian Patent has been applied.

3. Nylon 11 monomer and do-decane dioic acid from caster oil Nylon 11 is made from 11,amino undecylenic acid which inturn is obtained by cracking of caster oil. We have developed a chemical route to cleave the 12 Hydroxy stearic acid into 11 amino undecylenic acid and do decan dioic acid without having to crack caster oil. The other byproduct are h -heptoic acid and n-hexyl amine. The overall yield of the reaction is more than 90 % from 4 steps.

4. Glycedyl Mithacrylate Monomer (GMA) GMA is a useful functional monomer required for thermosetting acrylics, combinatorial polymers, for supports of immobilized enzymes. The monomer has been synthesized from very elementary raw material in +90% yield in two steps.

1. Oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds synthesis of C-8 aldehyde & other aldehydes
   • Complete selectivity to aldehyde : primary alcohols, including allyl alcohols, can be oxidized.
   • Secondary alcohols can be oxidized to ketones.
   • Oxidant used: Cr2O3 supported on silica gel.
   • Selectivity to aldehydes: 100%
   • Yield: 80-100 %
   • Scale: 100gm batch
   • Recovery of Cr2O3after reaction is possible and application of spent reagent as a pigment developed.
   Advantages: Green process, non-aqueous work up, excellent shelf life of the SiO2-CrO3 reagent, total selectivity towards aldehyde, good yields, mild conditions.
2. Syntheesis of Diphenylmethane ( useful for environmentally better benzophenone synthesis )
   • Reactants: Benzene, benzylchloride. The process using benzyl alcohol also available.
      
     
   • Catalyst : ZnCl2 / FeCl3 supported on silica gel.
      
     
   • Batch size: 100g (Bench scale)
      
     
   • Yield: 80-100%
      
     
   Advantages: AlCl3 not required, ZnCl2 / FeCl3 required in very less quantity, no aqueous work up, greener process, excellent shelflife, reusability of the catalyst.
    
   
3. Green synthesis of Amides from nitriles:

   Preparation of Isonicotinamide ( Pyridine-2-amide), Nicotinamide, Piperazine-2-amide, and many other amides.

   • Reactants: Aromatic and heterocyclic nitriles.
      
     
   • Reagent: Manganese dioxide supported on silica gel.
      
     Processes: "Dry" reaction & liquid phase heterogenous conditions available.
      
     
   • Batch size: 25g (Bench scale)
      
     
   • Yield: 70-100 %
      
     
   • Advantages: 100% yield of Isonicotinamide ( Pyridine-2-amide), Nicotinamide, Piperazine-2-amide, and 75-90% for other aromaticamides, without even a trace of acid, very high purity & quality products.