Phd in MOLECULAR DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION FOR THE
PROMOTION OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: FROM DRUG TO FOOD

Thesis title: Synthesis and use of C3-symmetric amino organocatalyst, stereochemistry investigation by dynamic techniques and photocatalytic alkylation of C(sp3)-H bonds

During my Ph.D. course in Molecular Design and Characterization for the Promotion of Health and Well-being: From Drug to Food at the Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies at the University of Roma "Sapienza", I conducted research under the supervision of Prof. Alessia Ciogli. Over the years, we explored various facets of organic chemistry, which are detailed in three distinct chapters. Our primary focus was on asymmetric catalysis (Part A), where we synthesized a multifunctional C3-symmetric amino organocatalyst and investigated its potential applications. Another aspect of our research involved the investigation of stereochemical lability using dynamic techniques (Part B), an intellectually stimulating endeavor facilitated by collaboration with Prof. Giorgio Bencivenni at the University of Bologna. Special attention was paied to the atropisomers and to the determination of rotational barrier. Part C recounts my experience in the laboratories of Prof. Ing. Timothy Noël, where I served as a PhD visiting student at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). This experience proved to be highly instructive, both on a personal and professional level, as it afforded me the opportunity to comprehensively explore the application of photochemistry in the field of organic chemistry. We have introduced an effective photocatalytic procedure for forming C(sp3)-C(sp3) connections by employing readily available N-sulfonyl hydrazones and C(sp3)-H donors.