Abhishek A. Kantak

***, ****** ******, ************ - ***** Cell: - 401-***-**** acb1ua@r.postjobfree.com

EDUCATION

PhD. in Organic Chemistry 09/2009-present

Advisor: Professor Brenton L. DeBoef

Title: Carbon-Nitrogen bond formation via Tandem Carbon-Hydrogen and Nitrogen-Hydrogen bond

Functionalization

University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Masters in Business Administration 09/2011- present

University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Bachelor in Chemical Technology 08/2005 -05/2009

Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India

HIGHLIGHTS/TECHNICAL SKILLS

Self-motivated, creative thinker and team player with 5 years of experience as a synthetic organic

chemist.

Expertise in the development of novel palladium, copper and hypervalent iodine catalyzed cross-

coupling reactions that activate C-H bonds.

Extensive experience in development of novel schemes for the total synthesis of complex bioactive

molecules.

Expertise in microwave-assisted reactions, modern spectroscopic methods, chromatographic techniques

and other techniques (1D and 2D NMR, IR, EPR, Cyclic Voltametry, GC-MS, LC-MS, DSC, wet

chemistry, preparatory and analytical HPLC).

Experience in high-throughput screening and parallel chemistry techniques and synthesizing

organometallic complexes: Utilized the Glove box and Schlenk techniques in handling air and moisture

sensitive compounds.

Expertise in the in GC-MS maintenance, basic chemical engineering operation techniques, industrial

safety and engineering, material and chemical process technology.

RESEARCH AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant 09/2009 - present

University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island

Designed and executed a scheme for the total synthesis of Botulinum neurotoxin inhibitor (BoNTA).

Designed and executed a methodological scheme for metal free Carbon-Hydrogen arylation of N-H

Phthalimide’s via hypervalent iodine reagents. This process provides a rapid and green method for

synthesizing protected anilines from simple arenes and amides that are tremendously promising classes of

molecules for use as anti cancer drugs.

Designed and executed the kinetic isotope studies using GC/MS analysis.

Determination and analysis of oxidation potential of various target diamines via cyclic voltametry.

Process and Development Chemist

04/2008- 08/2008

Heubach Color Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India

Synthesis of organic and inorganic pigments in research laboratories and then studying the scale up

process in pilot plant and later on in the production plant.

Set up and conducted chemical experiments and analyses using techniques such as

chromatography, spectroscopy, physical, chemical separation techniques and microscopy.

Studied plant operations which included – plant layout, plant design, production processes and

equipment, the value of ESH standards, quality control, packaging etc.

PUBLICATIONS

Kantak, A.; Potavathri, S.; Barham, R.; Romano, K.; DeBoef, B. “Metal-Free Intermolecular

Oxidative C-N Bond Formation via Tandem C-H and N-H Bond Functionalization”, J. Am. Chem. Soc.

2011, 133, 199**-*****.

Potavathri, S; Kantak, A.; DeBoef, B. “Increasing synthetic efficiency via direct C-H

functionalization: formal synthesis of an inhibitor of botulinum neurotoxin”, Chem. Comm. 2011, 47, 4679 –

468.

Kantak, A.; Marchetti, L.; DeBoef, B. “Regeioselective C-H amination using novel hypervalent iodine

salts”. (in preparation)

Kantak, A.; Marathe, B.; “Nano Additives-A Review”, Paint India, 2008, 58 (7), 113-132.

Kantak, A. “Copper based colorants”, Minerals and Metals Review, 2007, 33, 46-51.

Kantak, A.; Singh, V. “Non Linear optical colorants”, Bombay Technologist, 2007, 57, 24-30.

Kantak, A.; Buch, K. “Dye sensitized solar cell”, Bombay Technologist, 2007, 56, 64-67.

BOOK CHAPTER

Kantak, A.; DeBoef, B. Intermolecular Coupling via (sp2)-H Activation. In Science of Synthesis;

George Thieme Verlag KG: New York, 2013; 585-641.

PRESENTATIONS

“Intermolecular carbon-carbon bond formation via oxidative coupling reaction”

08/2010

ACS national meeting & exposition, Boston.

“Metal-Free Intermolecular Oxidative C-N Bond Formation via Tandem C-H and N-H Bond

Functionalization”

08/2012

ACS national meeting & exposition, Philadelphia.

AWARDS

University of Rhode Island Enhancement of Graduate Research Award. 11/2012

University of Rhode Island Graduate Excellence Tuition Scholarship. 08/2012

Richard Beaupre Hope and Heritage Travel Award. 08/2012

Richard Beaupre Hope and Heritage Travel Award. 02/2013

Dow Chemical Ltd. Young Innovator Award. 01/2008

Kapoor Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship. 08/2006

Color Chem. Ltd. Undergraduate Merit Fellowship. 08/2006

Kapoor Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship. 08/2005

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

President of the Indian Student Association, URI.

09/2012- present

Third place Intramural Men’s Soccer, URI.

Spring- 2012

Third place Intramural Co-Rec Soccer, URI.

Fall – 2012

Actively involved in service of orphan children at Don Bosco Shelter, Matunga, India.

Chief co-ordinator of Diwali function at URI, cultural and sports events in Mumbai university,

India

MEMBERSHIPS

American Chemical Society, Society of Dyers and Colorists (UK)

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