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)