PhD in Chemical and Materials Sciences

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Supervisor

Phd thesis

Thermodyamic study of first-row transition metal ions complexes of biomedical interests

The speciation studies represent an interesting approach to biological, environmental and industrial field. Coordination of metal ions by ligands in aqueous solution could change the properties of the two components and their distribution, both in biological and environmental samples. Considering the biological field, first-row transition metal ions have been studied for their activity. The coordination of those ions in solution naturally occurs in the body or can be induced to enhance the transportation, increase the activity and reduce their toxicity.

The speciation of metal-ligands system in solution highlights the implications of the two components in medicinal chemistry. In this context a large number of systems can be considered. The aim of this PhD project is to study the speciation of first-row transition metal ions with biologically interesting ligands: such as n-hydroxyquinolines, coumarins, functionalized derivatives and peptides. In particular, the metal considered are iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc, nickel and vanadium.

To characterize those systems a multi-technique approach is required, and in this context the development of instrumental methods is done.