Our research interests cover several aspects of the coordination chemistry of transition metal complexes, including their synthesis, structural and physicochemical characterization, biological and catalytic applications, and the exploration of novel reaction pathways and activation modes of organic synthons.
- Functionalized organometallic diiron complexes
Diiron complexes have emerged as versatile scaffolds for the design and construction of new organometallic architectures, owing to the cooperativity of two adjacent iron centers (two hands work better than one!), their ability to mimic biological systems, and the advantages of using a nontoxic, cost-effective metal such as iron. We have developed two benchmark classes of stable compounds that display promising anticancer potential, which is currently under investigation. We are also exploring strategies to functionalize the key bridging ligand to modulate the behaviour of the compounds in both biological environments and metal-mediated organic synthesis.
Selected References:
Acc. Chem. Res. 2026, 59, 1227−1243
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202510795
Inorg. Chem. Front. 2025, 12, 1156
Coord. Chem. Rev. 2021, 449, 214203
- Transition metal complexes with bioactive fragments
Building on the concept that incorporating organic fragments with documented biological functions may enhance drug efficacy, we have focused on the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new transition metal complexes containing bioactive fragments, linked to the metal centre through suitable ligands.
Selected References:
Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2025, 286, 117304
RSC Med. Chem. 2025, 16 , 4463
Dalton Trans. 2024, 53 , 13503
Eur. J. Med. Chem. 2021, 212, 113143
- Novel transition metal catalysts
We are interested in developing new synthetic routes to valuable chemicals, by exploring the catalytic potential of iron and ruthenium complexes in the activation of carbon dioxide, dihydrogen and other small molecules. In particular, the facile incorporation of CO2 into carbamate ligands provides straightforward access to a variety of compounds of the general formula [M(O2CNR2)n]. These species, in turn, can serve as efficient catalytic precursors in CO2-fixation reactions.
Selected References:
- Activation of small molecules and stabilization of reactive organic cations by early transition metal halides
We have contributed to advances in the chemistry of halides of high-valent group 5 and 6 metals, which can promote unusual activation pathways of organic compounds. Moreover, halo-metalato species are capable of stabilizing otherwise highly reactive organic cations (including, remarkably, the benzene radical cation, which can stabilized at room temperature in a common organic solvent).
Selected References:
Coord. Chem. Rev. 2023, 496 , 215399
Chem. Commun. 2012, 48 , 635 [Feature Article]
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2010, 49, 5268