Research team: Organometallic chemistry

Research Activities

The Organometallic group at the University of Sassari is focused on the design, synthesis, and characterization of organometallic compounds of noble metals (Pt, Pd, Au….), and their application in several fields, including catalysis and biomedicine, in particular as antimicrobial and antitumor innovative drugs.

Our main research activities include:

  • Synthesis and reactivity of Pd(II), Pt(II) and Au(III) adducts and cyclometalated complexes (classical, roll-over and pincer derivatives)  with substituted pyridines and bipyridines; 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)benzene and 1,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzene (pincer ligand) ; 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzene (pincer ligand).
  • Synthesis and reactivity of Pd(II), Pt(II) and Au(III) complexes with imidazopyridines.
  • Study of fundamental processes in organometallic chemistry, such as insertion reactions, activation of small molecules, C-H bond activation.
  • Application of inorganic and organometallic complexes as innovative antimicrobials.
  • Application of inorganic and organometallic complexes as antitumor agents.
  • Application of inorganic and organometallic complexes in catalysis.

Members (Permanent Staff)

Sergio Stoccoro, stoccoro@uniss.it, Professore Associato, CHEM-03/A, orcid 0000-0003-3389-7443

Antonio Zucca, zucca@uniss.it,  Professore Associato, CHEM-03/A, orcid 0000-0003-4423-9382

Michele Satta, satta@uniss.it, tecnico di laboratorio.

Collaborators

Giacomo Senzacqua, studente di dottorato, g.senzacqua@studenti.uniss.it

Relevant Publications

  • New variations on the theme of gold(III) C^N^N cyclometalated complexes as anticancer agents: synthesis and biological characterization. S. Carboni, A. Zucca, S. Stoccoro, L. Maiore, M. Arca, F. Ortu, C. Artner, B. Keppler, S. Meier-Menches, A. Casini, M.A. Cinellu, Inorganic Chemistry, 2018, 57, 14852-14865.
  • Pt(II) Derivatives with Rollover-Coordinated 6-substituted 2,2’-bipyridines: Ligands with Multiple Personalities, A. Zucca, L. Maidich, M. I. Pilo, S. Pischedda, M. Sedda and S. Stoccoro. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(19), 6665; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10196665.
  • Rollover cyclometalation as a valuable tool for regioselective C-H bond activation and functionalization, A. Zucca and M. I. Pilo, Molecules (MDPI), 2021, 26, 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26020328.
  • Synthesis and characterization of new Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with 3-substituted 1-(2-pyridyl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine ligands. S. Pischedda, S. Stoccoro, A. Zucca, G. Sciortino, F. Ortu and Guy J. Clarkson. Dalton Transactions, 2021, 50, 4859-4873. DOI: 10.1039/D1DT00546D.
  • Classical vs non-classical cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes, L. Maidich, M. I. Pilo, J. P. Rourke, G. J. Clarkson, P. Canu, S. Stoccoro and A. Zucca, Molecules 2022, 27, 7249. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217249.
  • Chirality generated by hindered rotations in platinum(II)-pyridine complexes. S. Stoccoro, A. Sini, G. Senzacqua, L. Maidich, F. Ortu and A. Zucca. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2023, e202300649, doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202300649.
  • Regioselective C(sp2)-C(sp3) coupling mediated by classical and rollover cyclometalation. L. Manca, G. Senzacqua, S. Stoccoro and A. Zucca, Molecules 2024, 29, 707. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29030707.
  • Platinum(II) Acetimino Cyclometalated Complexes Derived from Room Temperature Ammonia Activation. M. Murineddu, A. Zucca, G. Senzacqua, S. Stoccoro, M. Carraro, M. I. Pilo, G. Pichiri, G. Orrù, and A. Scano, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2024, e202400491, doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202400491.

Research Projects

“Noble metal complexes with heterocyclic nitrogen ligands: application as antimicrobials” PRIN 2022 PNRR, progetto MUR  P2022PZ8JE, PI Antonio Zucca  (€ 86.727, Unità di UNISS, € 240.000 intero Progetto).

Sintesi e caratterizzazione di sistemi chimici innovativi quali componenti in batterie secondarie “post-Litio”, resp. Gabriele Mulas, PROGETTI DI RICERCA INTERDISCIPLINARE, DM737, (72684,57 €)

Thesis/internship topics

1.Design, synthesis and reactivity of cyclometalated Pt(II), Pd(II) and Au(III) complexes with substituted pyridines and bipyridines

2.Synthesis and study of noble metal complexes with imidazopyridines

3.Application of noble-metal complexes as antimicrobials

4.Application of noble-metal complexes as potential antitumor drugs