Catalysis, Bioactive Chemistry and Polymers

This research area focuses on green catalysis and catalyst recovery, synthesising and investigating biologically active compounds (e.g. antitumour and antimicrobial agents) and creating functional polymers and supramolecular structures with antimicrobial, photoactive or transport properties. Applications span the chemical and energy industries, the pharmaceutical sector, the agri-food industry, and the production of advanced materials.

Research groups:

Sustainable Catalytic Processes with Organometallic Compounds : The research focuses on developing sustainable catalytic strategies using organometallic complexes. Particular interests include CO₂ activation, C–H and C–X bond activation, and the formation of new C–C and C–E bonds. The group also works with earth-abundant s- and p-block metals, including homo- and heterometallic complexes, and investigates the stoichiometric and catalytic mechanisms of these transformations.

• Current project: Development of biphasic C–C and C–E bond-forming processes with catalyst recovery.

Metallocubanes: This group designs mono-, di- and polynuclear complexes of early transition metals with the aim of modelling — and ultimately replacing — the costly yet essential Haber–Bosch process for ammonia synthesis.

• Current project: Stoichiometric and catalytic functionalisation of N₂ and CO₂ using group I–II metal complexes

Design, Interaction and Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds: The focus is on discovering and synthesising novel therapeutic agents (e.g. antitumour and neuroprotective agents) and studying their molecular interactions with biological targets.

• Current project: Photochemical control of telomeric i‑motif formation and stabilisation.

Biological Chemistry: Development of synthetic methodologies for aza-heterocycles, azaborines and CO₂-activated radicals, and design of bioimaging and cellular staining agents.

• Current project: Chemical and computational approaches to modulate integrin-linked kinase (RICORS 2024).

Polymers and Supramolecules: Synthesis and characterisation of polymers, gels and nanocarriers (e.g. micelles and vesicles) for use in biotechnology, controlled release and photodisinfection.

• Current project: Photochemical control of telomeric i‑motif formation and stabilisation.

Services Offered: 

• Synthesis and characterisation of catalysts and bioactive compounds

• Consultancy on the optimisation of green catalytic processes

• Design, scale-up, and analysis of polymers and supramolecular materials

• Molecular modelling of drug–target interactions

• Reactivity and mechanistic studies in aqueous media

• In vitro/in vivo evaluation of biological activity and biocompatibility

Patents

• Sustainable Catalytic Processes with Organometallic Compounds

  • P202330770: Biopolymer, method of production via catalytic complex, and use thereof

  • P202230965: Phenolic compounds of alkali metals and their applications

  • P202130376: Method for obtaining acetals, dithioacetals, and aminals from dichloromethane

  • P202031199: Conjugated aromatic polymer nanofibres with photoactivated antimicrobial properties for application on photo-disinfectable surfaces

• Metallocubanes

  • P202230233: Monocyclopentadienyl complexes for ammonia synthesis