Rath's group at IIT Kanpur is engaged studying a wide range of bioinorganic and biological systems, all of which fall under the general theme of gaining a better understanding of the heme centers in heme proteins that are vital to the life of almost all living organisms. The group is currently engaged in several broad research areas such as: Unfolding Mystery of Multi-Heme Cytochromes Multiheme cytochromes c constitutes a widespread class of proteins with essential functions in electron transfer and enzymatic catalysis. Understanding the significance of these motifs is crucial for the elucidation of the highly optimized properties of multiheme cytochromes c. Probing Molecular Chirality using Metallo-Bisporphyrin Hosts with Exciton Coupled Circular Dichroism (ECCD) The relative orientation of two chromophores in space in a chiral host-guest complex results in a bisignate CD curve with two bands of opposite sign and similar intensity in the porphyrin spectral regions which is diagnostic of the guest's absolute configuration. Light Induced Electron/Energy Transfer One of the problems to be solved was the role of 'special pair' in photosynthsis which is being investigated extensively. The Rath's group has been using extensively a wide variety of spectroscopic techniques including X-ray diffraction study, variable temperature magnetic, NMR, EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy and also DFT for structure-function correlation. The progress of the reactions are monitored in situ in solution along with the structural elucidation utilizing paramagnetic NMR spectroscopic technique.

1. Primary teaching area: Inorganic Chemistry

2. Current teaching: Inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry, Bio-inorganic Chemistry, Crystal and Molecular Structure Determination, Applications of Modern Instrumental Methods

1. A Remarkably Bent Diiron(III)-μ-Hydroxo Bisporphyrin: Unusual Stabilization of Two Spin States of Iron in a Single Molecular Framework
   S. K. Ghosh and S. P. Rath*
   J. Am. Chem. Soc.  2010, 132, 17983 - 17985.

2. Silver(III)•••Silver(III) Interaction Stabilizes the Syn-form in a Porphyrin Dimer Upon Oxidation
   A. K. Singh, F. S. T. Khan and S. P. Rath*
   Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 8849-8854.

3. Highly Oxidized Cobalt Porphyrin Dimer: Spin Coupling and Stabilization of 4e-Oxidized Product
   S. Dey, D. Sil and S. P. Rath*
   Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 996-1000.

4. Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions Trigger a Spin-Flip in Iron(III)-Porphyrin Complexes
   D. Sahoo, M. G. Quesne, S. P. de Visser* and S. P. Rath*
   Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 4796 - 4800.

5. Oxidation Triggers Extensive Conjugation and Unusual Stabilization of Two Di-heme Dication Diradical Intermediates: Role of Bridging Group for Electronic Communication
   D. Sil, S. Dey and S. P. Rath*
   Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 1212-1223.(Edge Article)

1. Professor, Department of Chemistry,
   Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, June 2014

2. AvH Fellow (Experienced Researcher) (academic host Prof. Dr. Peter Comba)
   Anorganisch-Chemisches Institute
   Heidelberg University, Germany
   Dec. 2012-to-July, 2013

3. Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
   Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, May 2009-May 2014

4. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
   Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Dec. 2004-April 2009

5. NIH Post-doctoral Research Associate (with Prof. Alan L. Balch)
   Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, USA. 2001-2004

1. Life member, Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI)

2. Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)

3. Member, Society for Biological Inorganic Chemistry (SBIC)

4. Member, Society of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (SPP)

5. Life member, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS)

1. Jagdeo N. Gupta and Smt Murti Gupta Chair Professor, IIT Kanpur (2017-2020)

2.  Bronze Medal from Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI)- 2015

3. Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researcher in 2012

4. P. K. Kelkar Faculty Research Fellowship from IIT Kanpur (2009-2012)

5. Received Commendations several times from the Director, IIT Kanpur for excellence in teaching as “Outstanding Instructor”

Office

CL-205C ,
Department of Chemistry
IIT Kanpur,
Kanpur 208016

Office Phone: 0512-259-7251 (O)

Email: sprath[AT]iitk.ac.in