Research interests
Riina Aav's research group is interested design of chiral macrocyclic molecules, their synthesis, structure, chiroptical and supramolecular properties, and applications. We develop mechanochemical synthetic methods for preparation of macrocycles and small molecules (active pharmaceutical ingredients) to reach greener organic synthesis. We are also interested in chirality induction and development of supramolecular receptors from hemicucurbiturils and porphyrins for selective pollutants recognition and isolation.
Supramolecular chemistry unites approaches of analytical, organic and physical chemistry to study matter in a broader way by focusing on non-covalent interactions and stimuli-responsive self-organization of molecules. We are mainly interested in chemistry related to cucurbiturils and porphyrins. These type of macrocycles have been applied in material science, sensing, capsules as well as in biomedical applications for selective drug-delivery. The first enantiomerically pure members of cucurbituril family were prepared by our group.
Starting and ongoing projects:
1. HORIZON-HLTH-2021-IND-07, 101057286 IMPACTIVE "Innovative Mechanochemical Processes to synthesize green ACTIVE pharmaceutical ingredients." (01.10.2022 - 30.09.2026)
2. H2020-FETOPEN, 828779, INITIO “INnovative chemIcal sensors for enanTioselective detectIon of chiral pOllutants” (01.01.2019- 31.12.2022)
3. Estonian Research council, PRG399, "Adaptable supramolecular chirality sensors (1.01.2019−31.12.2023)
4. COST CA18112 - Mechanochemistry for Sustainable Industry (05.12.2018-12.11.2022)
