Dr. Lessi is a researcher of the “Advanced Organic Synthesis Lab” (AOSL) at the Università di Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (Link to AOSL website, asap). His research interests range from optimization of organic reaction conditions to the synthesis of bioactive compounds and preparation of smart materials.
Development of novel reaction conditions.
The research is focus on the development of efficient cross-coupling reactions promoted by transition-metals, especially Palladium. The recent studies concern the highly selective direct arylations of C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H bonds.
Synthesis of bioactive compounds.
Thank to the AOSL collaborations with national pharmaceutical companies a part of Dr. Lessi’s research is dedicated to the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds by the most modern and efficient synthetic methods. The recent studies concern the development of new heterocycle bioactive molecules.
Preparations of innovative smart materials.
Thank to a strong collaboration with Prof. Pucci in the recent years Dr. Lessi optimized the synthesis of novel heterocycles core able to give the external stimulus response to different polymeric structures. The smart materials so obtained are for examples pH sensitive or able to harvest light. Very interest results have been obtained in the field of Luminescent Solar Concentrators.