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Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques for Understanding Mechanisms of Organic Reactions

Objective

Organic synthesis in water offers the opportunity to replace hazardous and polluting petroleum-based solvents. While the addition of
surfactants holds promise for enabling organic reactions in aqueous media, optimization is limited by an incomplete understanding
of the underlying mechanisms. The FLUMORE project is tailored to overcome this limitation by developing new advanced
fluorescence microscopy techniques to study cross-coupling reactions in water–surfactant media. Fluorescence microscopy provides
high spatiotemporal resolution and the sensitivity to characterize the reaction medium in synthetic conditions, that are incompatible
with traditional analytical techniques. The project involves two years at the University of California Irvine under the supervision of
Prof. Blum, the world expert on investigating organic synthesis using confocal and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)
followed by one year at the University of Parma, leveraging the expertise of Prof. Sissa in optical spectroscopy and fluorescent organic
nanoparticles.
Powerful imaging tools (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer, fluorescence anisotropy, multiphoton microscopy) will be coupled with
FLIM and applied for the first time to organic-reaction imaging. This approach will enable unprecedented detection of intermediates,
localization of reactants and catalysts, and 3D mapping of ongoing reactions. In turn, this will reduce catalyst loading, facilitate
surfactant selection, and optimize synthetic procedures to improve yields and rates.
This expertise is novel in Europe and will boost the carrier prospects of Dr. Delledonne, as he pursues a tenure-track research position.
He will receive excellent training in FLIM and organic synthesis, complemented by a secondment focused on optimizing preparative
aqueous processes. The research outcomes will impact both academia and industry, reducing the environmental impact and
enhancing the safety of the widely employed cross-coupling reactions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PARMA
Net EU contribution
€ 396 991,08
Address
VIA UNIVERSITA 12
43121 PARMA
Italy
Region
Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Parma
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (2)