Dr. Bashir Ahmad Dar
Department of Chemistry, Govt. Degree College Uri, J & K, Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, India
Title: Reusable Clay–Cu Catalysts: Green Routes to Key Organic Transformations
Abstract:
Organic reactions through green chemistry approaches are essential for achieving environmentally sustainable chemical processes. Among the various tools used to meet the goals of green and sustainable chemistry, heterogeneous catalysts play a pivotal role. A significant class of such catalysts includes those derived from natural resources such as clays and zeolites, which have garnered significant attention in recent years.
Clays, due to their solid acidic nature, can act as both Brønsted and Lewis acids, either in their natural state or when ion-exchanged. Their utility as environmentally benign, recyclable catalysts makes them ideal for both industrial-scale and laboratory-level organic synthesis. In our research group, Cu-clay has emerged as a highly effective heterogeneous catalyst, showing remarkable reactivity, selectivity, and ease of use in various organic transformations.
What Will the Audience Learn from This Presentation?
Preparation and characterization methods for clay-supported copper catalysts; mechanistic insights into catalytic activity and selectivity; representative organic transformations demonstrating green chemistry benefits; practical considerations for catalyst reuse and scale up. Attendees will gain actionable knowledge useful for research, teaching, and industrial applications.
Biography:
Dr. Bashir Ahmad Dar is a distinguished chemist and academician currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Government Degree College Uri. With a strong foundation in chemistry, he holds a PhD from the University of Jammu, where his research focused on the preparation and characterisation of clay-supported catalysts for organic transformations. Dr. Dar has an extensive teaching portfolio, having served at reputed institutions such as the Government Degree College Sopore, Baramulla, and the University of Kashmir. His research interests include catalysis, nanomaterials, adsorption studies, and green chemistry, with an emphasis on environmental remediation and sustainable chemical processes. Over his career, he has contributed significantly to academic development, research projects, and scientific publications. He has earned several honours, including the CSIR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, the GATE qualification, and the Best Paper Award (2019) from the Nature Science Foundation. As an active editorial board member of multiple international journals, Dr. Dar continues to promote excellence in chemical research and peer review. His professional journey reflects a commitment to advancing the chemical sciences, mentoring young researchers, and contributing to innovative, eco-friendly solutions to industrial and environmental challenges.