Universidade da Madeira - CQM

Main Research Topics

João Rodrigues, J. Carlos Mesquita & Helena Tomás - Materials [refs 1-7]

We are carrying out studies of interdisciplinary nature in two main lines: dendrimers and molecular wires [1-7]. Our main goal is the preparation and characterization of new types of molecular materials (namely dendritic(hyperbranched) and polymeric metal and non metal-containing systems) with enhanced electronic and biomedical properties.

Together with other techniques (like MS), liquid NMR is used in our group as a routine tool for the structural characterisation of the prepared compounds. Behind the common and typical NMR nucleus (1H and 13C), 31P is one of the most important nucleus used by us to study the electronic influence and the geometrical arrange of co-ligands around the metal centres. Other NMR experiments like DEPT and 2D-COSY are also very helpful techniques for our research work.

Paula Castilho – Natural Products [refs 8-10]

I am interested in chemical composition of aromatic, medicinal and food plants and organic chemistry hemi synthesis of bioactive compounds using natural products as raw materials and in the assessment of the biological activity of new compounds. NMR is one of the main tools for the comprehensive characterisation of the chemical structure of synthetic and natural molecules. I am especially interested in the use of NMR for the identification and quantification of compounds in complex mixtures, such as extracts and essential oils, through the building and querying of specific databases.

José Câmara - Natural Products

We are interested in the simultaneous determination of organic analytes across fermentation of Madeira wines using 1H NMR and in the determination of amino acids, organic acids and polyphenols in wine by 13C and 1H NMR.

Selected Publications

1. Rodrigues J., Jardim M. J., Gouveia M., Tomás H., and Rissanen K., "Poly(alkylidenamines) Dendrimers as Scaffolds for the Preparation of Low-generation Ruthenium Based Metallodendrimers", New J. Chem, 2011, 35, 1938-1943. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c1nj20364a

2. Pandita D., Santos J.L., Rodrigues J., Pêgo A.P., Granja P.L., Balian G., and Tomás H., "Gene Delivery into Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Biomimetic Approach Using RGD Nanoclusters Based on Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers", Biomacromolecules, 2011, 12, 724-481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bm1012647

3. Santos J.L., Oliveira H., Pandita D., Rodrigues J., Pêgo A.P., Granja P.L., and Tomás H., "Functionalization of Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimers with Hydrophobic Chains for Improved Gene Delivery in Mesenchymal Stem Cells", J. Control. Release, 2010, 144, 55-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2010.01.034

4. Jardim M.G., Rissanen K., and Rodrigues J., "Preparation and Characterization of Novel Poly(alkyliden imine) Nitrile Ruthenium Metallodendrimers", Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2010, 11, 1729-1735. doi: 10.1002/ejic.200901187

5. Ornelas C., Ruiz J., Rodrigues J, and Astruc D, "Visible-light Photolytic Synthesis of Multinuclear and Dendritic Iron-Nitrile Cationic Complexes", Inorg. Chem., 2008, 47, 4421-4428. dx.doi.org/10.1021/ic800100k

6. Vertlib V., Figueira J., Mesquita J., Rodrigues J., Nättinen K., and Rissanen, K., “A Trinuclear Aqua Cyano-bridged Ruthenium Complex [{(η5-C5H5) (PPh3)2Ru(μ-CN)}2RuCl2(PPh3)(H2O)][PF6]: Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structure", Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 2007, 13, 1920 - 1924. doi:10.1002/ejic.2006010503

7. Méry D., Plault L., Ornelas C., Ruiz, J., Nlate, S., Astruc, D., Blais, J.-C., Rodrigues J., Cordier, S., Kirakci K., and Perrin, C., “From Simple Monopyridine Clusters [Mo6Br13(Py-R)6][n-Bu4N] and Hexapyridine Clusters [Mo6X8(Py-R)6][OSO2CF3]4 (X = Br or I) to Cluster-cored Organometallic Stars, Dendrons and Dendrimers”, Inorg. Chem., 2006, 45, 1156-1167. doi:10.1021/ic051680f

8. Castilho, P., Gouveia, S., Rodrigues, A. I., “Quantification of Artemisinin and Camphor in Artemisia Annua Extracts by 1H-NMR”, Phytochem. Anal. , 2008, 19: 329-334

9. Louh G.N., Lannang A.M., Mbazoa C.D., Tangmouo J.G., Komguem J., Castilho P., Ngninzeko F.N., Qamar N., Lontsi D., Choudhary M.I., and Sondengam B.L., "Polyanxanthone A, B and C, three xanthones from the wood trunk of Garcinia polyantha Oliv.", Phytochemistry, 2008, 69, 1013-1017.

10. Ferrari B., Castilho P., Tomi F., Rodrigues A.I., do Ceu Costa M., and Casanova J., "Direct identification and quantitative determination of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone in the fixed oil of Laurus novocanariensis by 13C-NMR spectroscopy”, Phytochem. Anal.", 2005. 16(2): 104-107.