Research Group Approach & Philosophy

Our research applies key concepts of supramolecular chemistry, such as host-guest chemistry, molecular self-assembly, molecular recognition, template-directed synthesis, and biomimetics, to organic chemistry, catalysis, and chemical biology.
 
Supramolecular chemistry focuses on the weak, reversible non-covalent interactions between molecules such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, the hydrophobic effect, and electrostatic interactions.
Our group works to involve these interactions to fine-tune and modulate chemical properties
and reactivity of molecular systems, both in solution and solid-state. 

Additionally, we aim to apply supramolecular chemistry and non-covalent interactions
to design and create stimuli-responsive dynamic systems that can reversibly 
produce chemical responses and perform complex tasks,
mimicking the behavior of biological enzymes.

Website: The Group Website is under construction and will be available soon! Stay Tuned!

Vacancies 

If you are interested in tuning chemical systems through non-covalent interactions,
or if you are passionate about dynamic systems and equilibria,
please contact Manuel directly to join our team. 

Related Publications 

1. Petroselli et al., Molecular Balances as Physical Organic Chemistry Tools to Quantify

Non-Covalent Interactions, Chem. Eur. J., 2025, 31 (16), e202404351 (Link)

2. Santonocino et al., Smartphone-Based Sensing of Cortisol by Functionalized Rhodamine Probes, Chem. Eur. J., 2024, 30, e202401201 (Link)

3. C. Bacchiocchi, M. Petroselli, Elucidation of the Mechanism of the Esterification of Boric Acid with Aliphatic Diols: a Computational Study to help set the Record Straight,
Chem. Comm., 2024, 60, 12239 (Link)

4. Petroselli et al., C-H---X-C Bonds in Alkyl Halides drive Reverse Selectivities in Confined Spaces, Chin. Chem. Lett., 2023, 34, 107834 (Link)

5. Petroselli et al., Kinetic vs. Thermodynamic Control of beta-Functionalized Cyclic Ketones: a Theoretical Investigation of Regioselective Formation of Enolates,
Org. Chem. Front., 2022, 9, 6205 (Link)

6. Petroselli et al., Highly Selective Radical Monoreduction of Dihalides Confined to a Dynamic Supramolecular Host, Chem. Eur. J., 2021, 27, 3284-3287 (Hot Paper - Link)

7. Petroselli et al., Radical Reactions in Cavitands Unveil the Effect of Affinity on Dynamic Supramolecular Systems, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2020, 142, 2396-2403 (Link)

8. Petroselli et al., Lipophilic N-Hydroxyphthalimide  Catalysts for the Aerobic Oxidation of Cumene:
Towards Solvent-Free Conditions and Back, Chem. Eur. J., 
2017, 23, 10616-10625 (Hot Paper - Link)