Cycle/Years
39th cycle [2023-2026]
Contacts
Supervisors
Prof. Fabio Marchetti and Dr. Luca Menichetti
Title of the PhD project
Design and Synthesis of New Transition Metal Complexes for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications
Abstract of the PhD project
SPCCT (Spectral Photon Counting Computed Tomography) is an emerging diagnostic technique based on X-rays and operating in the medical field. The possibility to detect and discriminate different atoms based on the energy of their emitted photons (K-edge technique) paves the way to molecular imaging via CT. The development of new specific contrast agents is functional to exploit the full potential of the technique.
The main objective of the present PhD project is to design and synthesize new transition metal (TM)-based complexes for their utilization as contrast agents in SPCCT. We focus on heavy transition metals with relatively low toxicity, cost-effectiveness and non-radioactive properties. Additionally, the project will explore the incorporation within the complexes of suitable bio-active fragments to implement molecular targeting. Potential therapeutic applications will also be assessed.
Academic Fields and Disciplines (SSD), main and secondary
CHIM03
Educational and third mission activities
• Teaching support to the course of “Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemistry”, University of Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, 2023 November 24th – December 15th (Disp. n. 762/2023).
• Teaching support to the course of “Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemistry”, University of Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, 2024 November 10th – December 12th (Disp. n. 667/2024).
• Held a lesson of the course “Organometallic chemistry of the transition elements”, University of Pisa, 2024 November 11th.
• Organization of the dissemination event “Bright - Researchers' Night”, Dept. of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, September 23rd-27th 2024.
• Open days activity for High School students, Dept. of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, January 29th-30th 2025.
• Dissemination activity and practical demonstrations for Middle School classes, Istituto Comprensivo Volterra, Pisa, March 25th 2025.
• Organization of Chemistry For the Future Conference 2025 (CFF2025), University of Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, 2025 July 7th – 9th.
International
National reasearch experience, University of Turin, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Science. Supervisor: Prof. Enzo Terreno. October 1st – 31st 2024.
Publications
• C. Zappelli, G. Ciancaleoni, S. Zacchini, F. Marchetti, “Construction of Two-Faced (Hetero)hydrocarbyl Diiron Complexes Mediated by the Interplay of Ligands”, Organometallics, 2023, 42, 615-626.
• M. De Franco, L. Biancalana, C. Zappelli, S. Zacchini, V. Gandin, F. Marchetti, “1,3,5-Triaza-7 phosphaadamantane and Cyclohexyl Groups Impart to Di-Iron(I) Complex Aqueous Solubility and Stability, and Prominent Anticancer Activity in Cellular and Animal Models”, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2024, 67, 11138−11151 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00641).
• C. Zappelli, F. Taglieri, S. Schoch, G. Bresciani, T. Funaioli, F. Marchetti, S. Zacchini, A. Di Giuseppe, M. Crucianelli, “Multisite Amino-Allylidene Ligands from Thermal CO Elimination in Diiron Complexes and Catalytic Activity in Hydroboration Reactions”, ChemCatChem, 2024, e20240081, (DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202400811).
• L. Pedrini, C. Zappelli, S. Connon, “Ionic Liquid Catalysts for Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Glycolysis: Use of Structure Activity Relationships to Combine Activity with Biodegradability”, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2025, 13, 4 (DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c08491).
• C. Zappelli, Z. Xiao, S. Schoch, V. Barberio, M. Bortoluzzi, G. Gasser, F. Marchetti, “Anticancer Iron–Iridium Organometallic Conjugates”, Inorg. Chem. 2025, 64, 26, 13257–13270 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c01620).
Oral communications at conferences
• GICB Bioinorganic Chemistry Conference, Università degli Studi della Campania, 2025 June 30th-July 2nd, C. Zappelli, Z. Xiao, S. Schoch, V. Barberio, M. Bortoluzzi, G. Gasser, F. Marchetti, “Novel Iron-Iridium organometallic conjugates for cancer therapy”.
• 50th Conference of the Inorganic Chemistry Division, Partenope Conference Centre, Naples, 2025 September 9th- 12th, C. Zappelli, R. Rizzo, M. Capozza, E. Terreno, L. Colagiorgio, M. Bortoluzzi, L. Menichetti, F. Marchetti, “Synthesis and characterization of tungsten citrate complexes as potential contrast agents in SPCCT”.
Poster communications at conferences
• “Cyano-Amino-Allylidene Diiron Complexes”, C. Zappelli, G. Ciancaleoni, A. Purgatorio, G. Pampaloni, S. Zacchini, F. Marchetti. Chemistry for the Future 2023, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, 28-30 June 2023 (poster presentation).
• Chemistry for the Future International Conference, University of Pisa, 2024 July 3rd-5th, C. Zappelli, A. Boccuto, L. Colagiorgio, M. Bortoluzzi, L. Menichetti, F. Marchetti, “Synthesis and characterization of tungsten citrate complexes as potential contrast agents in SPCCT” (poster and flash presentation).
• XXVIII Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana, Allianz MiCo, Milan, 2024 August 26th-30th, C. Zappelli, M. Crucianelli, A. Di Giuseppe, F. Taglieri, T. Funaioli, S. Zacchini, F. Marchetti, “Building Multisite Hydrocarbyl Ligands in Diiron Carbonyl Complexes Pointing to Catalytic Applications” (poster presentation). (Awarded grant for participation).
• EFMC-ISMC 2024 XXVIII EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry, Palazzo dei Congressi, Rome, 2024 September 1st–5th, C. Zappelli, M. De Franco, L. Biancalana, S. Zacchini, V. Gandin, F. Marchetti, “Anticancer potential of organo-diiron complexes: design, synthesis and in vitro and in vivo evaluation“ (poster presentation).
• EFMC-YMCS 2024 11th EFMC Young Medicinal Chemists' Symposium, University “La Sapienza”, Rome, 2024 September 5th–6th, C. Zappelli, M. De Franco, L. Biancalana, S. Zacchini, V. Gandin, F. Marchetti, “Development and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of organo-diiron complexes as potential anticancer agents“ (poster presentation).
