Mehrotra, during his early years in research, made notable contributions in analytical chemistry which included studies on tin, gold and hydrated copper
oxide. Through his researches on the chemical theory of indicators, he elucidated the applicability of universal type of indicators, ceramic salts and of hypobromites and widened the understanding of alkoxides and carboxylates of many elements. His work covered the synthesis of several metallic compounds such as polymetaphosphates, alkoxides, beta-diketonates, carboxylates, thiolates and dialky 1 dithiophosphates.