The main research lines in this field are described below, together with the research team members. Please use the contacts provided for any further information.

Tetrapyrrolic Macrocycles: Design, Synthesis, Reactivity and Biological Applications

·    Synthesis of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles and the assessment of their photodynamic therapy properties

·    Reactivity studies on porphyrin derivatives and related compounds and their functionalization by cycloaddition and metal-catalysed processes

·    Synthesis of multiporphyrinic materials and porphyrin-phthalocyanine-fullerene tryads as photosynthetic models

·    Photoinactivation of microorganisms in water by tetrapyrrolic macrocycles

·    Calixpyrroles as anion sensors

Research team: José Cavaleiro, Graça Neves, Augusto Tomé, Artur Silva, Amparo Faustino, Mário Simões

Phenolic and Quinolone-Type Compounds: Design, Synthesis, Reactivity and Biological Evaluations

·    Design and synthesis of new chromone and xanthone-type compounds with potential cannabinoid, antitumor, antioxidant activities and dermatological applications

·    Development of new synthetic routes for 2-styryl-4-quinolones and 3-(vinyl and styryl)-4-quinolones, starting from simple reagents or using palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions, and their biological evaluations (antioxidant and antitumor agents)

·    Reactivity of styrylchromones, styrylpyrazoles and styryl- and vinyl-4-quinolones in cycloaddition reactions

·    Chemical characterisation of some medicinal plants

Research team: Artur Silva, José Cavaleiro, Diana Pinto

Organic Synthesis and Catalysis

·    Development and optimization of microwave assisted synthesis of several organic compounds

·    Development of new synthetic routes for oxygen and nitrogen heterocyclic compounds

·    Diazo compounds: synthesis, reactivity and significance in organic synthesis

·    Metal-catalysed transformations of a , b - and a , b , g , d -unsaturated carbonyl compounds

·    Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins as homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts in the oxidation of organic substrates with industrial, pharmacological and synthetic interest, under environmental friendly conditions

·    Development of efficient catalytic systems using several Keggin-type polyoxometalates and other inorganic salts as catalysts in the oxidation of organic substrates using hydrogen peroxide

Research team:     José Cavaleiro, Artur Silva, Graça Neves, Augusto Tomé, Diana Pinto, Amparo Faustino, Mário Simões, Graça Rocha

Fullerene Compounds and Nanomaterials

·    Synthesis of [60]fullerene derivatives with potential pharmacological activity

·    Noncovalent functionalization and solubilisation of carbon nanotubes

Research team: Augusto Tomé, José Cavaleiro, Artur Silva, Graça Neves, Amparo Faustino