Rajendra Rathore was an organic chemist and professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Pfletschinger-Habermann professor of organic chemistry. He made important contributions in the area of supramolecular chemistry, synthesis of novel electro-active molecules, and drug discovery. Rathore died on February 16, 2018 after complications from chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Dr. Rathore was the Pfletschinger-Habermann Professor of Organic Chemistry at Marquette University. He was also nominated for the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences Scholar of the Year for 2017-2018, in recognition of outstanding scholarly contributions over the past three years, which he was awarded and received posthumously. Rathore made key contributions to the areas of organic supramolecular and materials chemistry. His interests focused in rational design and synthesis of novel electro-active molecules with applications in molecular recognition, photovoltaics, molecular electronics, and drug discovery. In particular, Rathore was well known for his contributions to studies of the Scholl reaction mechanism, syntheses of cofacially arrayed polyfluorenes, and applications of nitric oxide complexes with aromatic donors. His recent work was focused on elucidating the application of frontier molecular orbitals in the rational design of novel charge-transfer materials.
Synthesis of pillarene
In 1995 Rathore and Kochi reported a synthetic procedure to produce various diarylmethanes from their corresponding benzyl methyl ethers. They showed that transformation of bis-p-hydroquinone ether yields corresponding diarylmethane and a polymeric-like material. A reanalysis of this polymeric material showed that it consisted mainly from pillararene. A full characterization of pillararene was first reported in 2008 by Tomoki Ogoshi et al.
Legacy
In October 2018, Marquette University held the Rajendra Rathore Memorial Symposium. Dr. Rathore had a great passion for teaching chemistry and mentoring young scientists, and this symposium started the Rajendra Rathore Memorial Scholarships at both Marquette University and Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur, Raj's alma mater. These funds aim to continue Raj's legacy as an incredible force in guiding young scientists. To that end, both Marquette University and IIT Kanpur also instituted seminar series to keep Raj's passion for collaboration and discussion among scientists alive.
Personal life
Rajendra Rathore was born in Kannauj, India in 1961. In college in Kanpur, India, he met his wife, Rajni. Raj was a devoted husband and father of two girls. He enjoyed cooking and throwing dinner parties for his friends and family. In October 2018, Marquette University held the Rajendra Rathore Memorial Symposium, where friends and colleagues of Rathore spoke about their research and Rathore's influence on their science and lives. Most notably, all commented on Rathore's passion for science, how he made them feel as if "their science was the most exciting thing he had ever heard," and how his guidance and mentorship shaped the way they viewed the teaching and practice of science.
