Chandra Mouli Palit is a doctoral candidate in organic chemistry at Texas A&M University with 6 years of experience in organic synthesis and homogeneous catalysis. He has published first author papers and presented his research at numerous conferences. His research focuses on designing novel ligands and transition metal complexes for catalytic applications such as cobalt-catalyzed organic coupling reactions and the dehydrogenation of formic acid. He also has experience collaborating on projects involving dye-based metallopolymers.

1. Chandra Mouli Palit
302 Ball Street, Apt G-202
College Station, TX 77840
chandramoulipalit@gmail.com
(979-739-1488)
Highlights
 Doctoral candidate with 6 years of expertise in organic/organometallic synthesis and homogeneous catalysis
 Proven track record of research acumen via first author publications and numerous conference presentations
 Versatile researcher adept at working on independent and collaborative research projects simultaneously
 Abundant leadership experience in academic research as well as extra-curricular and social undertakings
Education
Texas A&M University, Ph.D., Organometallic Chemistry (GPA 4.00/4.00) [May ‘16]
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, 5 yr. Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry (GPA 3.08/4.00) [Aug ‘10]
Skills
 6 years of proficiency in glove box and Schlenk techniques for handling air-sensitive compounds and reactions
 In depth understanding and hands-on experience of electrochemistry and photochemistry
 Highly competent at using a gas line to set up reactions involving flammable gases as reactants and products
 Proficient in techniques such as NMR, GC-MS, CV, XRD, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy for characterization
 Extensive experience using scientific databases such as Google Patents, SciFinder, Reaxys, and Web of Science
 Well versed in data analysis and computational softwares such as MestreNova, Gaussian 03W, ChemBioDraw
Ultra, Microsoft Office, Adobe, Mercury, Ortep etc.
 Trained in regular maintenance and upkeep of glove boxes, vacuum pumps, IR and UV-Vis spectrophotometers
 Competent with Lean Six Sigma principles for project management and Design Of Experiment (DOE) tools for
planning and execution of formulation experiments
 Teaching experience in several General (CHEM 111/112, 101/ 102) and Organic (CHEM 237) chemistry courses
Research Experience
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA [Oct ‘10 – present]
Research Advisor: Dr. Oleg V. Ozerov; Professor, Department of Chemistry
 Identified different sets of stereo-electronic properties of ligands essential for specific catalytic processes
 Designed and executed multi-step synthetic and purification strategies for novel organic ligands and
organometallic complexes optimized for catalytic applications
 Strongly emphasized reproducibility, organized scientific record keeping and compliance to safety regulations
for storage and handling of toxic, hazardous, and corrosive chemicals
 Mentored junior graduate students, familiarizing them with synthetic techniques, lab equipment and protocols
 Manager of group solvent stills: responsible for safe, equitable, and prompt distillation and distribution
Selected Research Projects
Cobalt Catalyzed Organic Coupling Reactions [Aug ‘14 – present]
Objective: Design cobalt catalysts for organic coupling reactions to replace expensive noble metals
Identified challenges to using cobalt catalysts due to their propensity for reduction and decomposition
Devised strategies to isolate the catalytic intermediates using robust pincer ligands and study the mechanism
Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid Using Novel Binuclear Catalysts [Dec ‘12 – present]
Objective: Catalytic conversion of formic acid to H2 and CO2, promoting the use of CO2 for efficient H2 storage
Hypothesized and verified the superiority of binuclear catalysts over mononuclear analogues
Reduction of CO2 to free CO mediated by pincer transition metal complexes [Dec ‘10 – Dec ‘12]
Objective: Conversion of CO2, a global warming agent, to CO, a feedstock for fuels and specialty chemicals
Designed a novel pincer complex to reduce CO2 to CO under moderate conditions with readily available reagents
Collaborative Work Experience
Intradepartmental Collaboration on Dye Based metallopolymers [May ‘14 – present]
 Envisioned the combination of pincer ligands and polymers as potentially groundbreaking in the field of
metallopolymers and their utility in PLEDs, photosensitives, and photovoltaics
 Synthesized ligands and metal complexes, currently exploring their polymerization under moderate conditions

2. NSF Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI Solar): Powering the Planet [Jan ‘11 – Aug ‘12]
 Participated in an international center for innovation in solar fuels through diverse research motifs
 Contributed and presented at weekly teleconferences and discussion sessions for a multitude of projects
 Invited to deliver an oral presentation at the yearly meeting of the center at Huntington Beach, CA
Additional Scientific Experience
Summer School: Green Chemistry, American Chemical Society, Montreal, Canada [Jun ‘11]
 Selected from hundreds of applicants (doctoral and postdoctoral) across North and South America
 Studied and understood the concepts and practices of green chemistry in academia as well as in industry
 Networked with fellow scientists via panel discussions focusing on progress through collaborations
 Supervised a group of peers in delivering an oral presentation on an assigned green chemistry problem
Operator: GC Facility, Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay, MH, India [Oct ‘09 – May ‘10]
 In charge of the upkeep and maintenance of Shimadzu-14A and Shimadzu-15A GC instruments
 Analyzed samples from research labs, other universities, and industry while providing detailed reports
 Experienced in temperature programming to design temperature ramps for specific sample analysis needs
Internship: Renewable Energy, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA [May ‘09 – Jul ‘09]
 Focused on water as a more green and efficient source of hydrogen for the “Hydrogen Economy”, as
compared to conventionally used natural gas (methane), thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels
 Synthesized and characterized a novel electrocatalyst for spontaneous water oxidation, generating interest from
General Motors for a collaborative industry project
Publications and Presentations
Publications:
1. Palit, C. M.; Graham, D. J.; Chen, C.-H.; Foxman, B. M.; Ozerov, O. V. “Reduction of CO2 to Free CO by a Pd(I)-
Pd(I) Dimer”, Chem. Comm. 2014, 50, 12840
2. Palit, C. M.; Timpa. S. D.; Ozerov, O. V. “Synthesis and Reactivity of Pincer Supported (POCOP)Co
Complexes” Organometallics 2016, submitted
3. Palit, C. M.; Ozerov, O. V. “Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid by Binuclear Pincer complexes of Pd”
manuscript in preparation
Selected Conference Presentations:
1. Palit, C. M.; Timpa. S. D.; Ozerov, O. V. “Studies on the reductive elimination of C-X ( X = C, N, S) bonds from
a CoIII center and its applications in catalysis”, oral presentation at the 249th ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO
2. Palit, C. M.; Ozerov, O. V. “Novel binuclear pincer ligands for applications in catalysis and energy”, poster
presentation at the 249th ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO
3. Palit, C. M.; Ozerov, O. V. “Binuclear pincer complexes of Pd and Ni: Catalysts for selective decomposition of
HCOOH to CO2 and H2”, poster presentation at the 247th ACS National Meeting, Dallas, TX
Leadership positions and extra-curricular activities
 Instructor’s Assistant for CHEM 111 and CHEM 101/102, supervising other TAs and graders from 2014-2016
 Serving as a departmental mentor for incoming graduate students at Texas A&M University for 2013-2015
 Member of several committees overseeing the funding and organization of Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry
Honor Society and its events from 2012-2015
 Secretary of the Texas A&M German club in 2012, planning weekly meetings and semi-annual outings
 Participated in the Big Event-College Station, 2011-2014; Served as a site in charge in Big event 2014
 Regular player in the city leagues for Soccer, Softball; coached the soccer team to one divisional championship
 Frequently volunteer at Aggieland Humane Society (local animal shelter), taking care of rescued animals
 Volunteer at local science fairs and competitions aimed at inspiring young children towards science
Professional and Scholastic Affiliations/Awards
 Awarded a Robert A. Welch Foundation graduate fellowship to fund research activities in 2012
 Awarded a Prime Minister of India Scholarship for final year of undergraduate studies
 Member of Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest national honors society covering all disciplines of science
 Member of the American Chemical Society; Division of Inorganic Chemistry
 Member of the Alumni association of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Right to work: F-1 visa, eligible for 29 months of post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT)