Division of Organic Chemistry – Società Chimica Italiana. Prizewinner Collection 2022. Editorial

Each author endeavors to carry out their research at the highest possible level, with a particular emphasis on addressing the main challenges of our present and future society. Organic chemistry stands out as a focal point in addressing these challenges, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding environment and providing innovative solutions for a wide range of issues, from health to energy. For many decades, the Division of Organic Chemistry of Società Chimica Italiana has demonstrated a dedicated commitment to formally and solemnly acknowledging, in front of the entire community, the noteworthy efforts and results attained each year by both junior and senior scientists across all major fields of organic chemistry. This commitment is consistently fulfilled, stressing the division's dedication to recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions in organic chemistry. It fulfills this solemn commitment with the medals and the prizes of the Division of Organic Chemistry. The medals include: Gold Medal Adolfo Quilico (since 1984, intended for researchers in the field of bioorganic chemistry or chemistry of heterocyclic compounds), Gold Medal Angelo Mangini (since 1991, intended for researchers in the field of organic chemistry in mechanisms and theory), Gold Medal Giorgio Modena (since 2019, intended for researchers who have distinguished themselves for frontier research of highly interdisciplinary and innovative nature), and Silver Medal Giacomo Ciamician (since 1979, dedicated to researchers under the age of 40 and Ph.D. no longer than 7 years, who have distinguished themselves for notable research of high originality and interest). The prizes, established in 2001 and then renowned in 2016, include the following key macrosectors: environment, energy, and nanoscience; life sciences; methodological aspects; process and products in industry. Each year, the entire organic chemistry community is dedicated to analyzing and nominating the most deserving research in Italy within these fields. This annual process stands out as one of the most solemn moments for the organic chemistry community, as it acknowledges talent and solid dedication to the discipline and the community itself. The evaluation of candidacies and the final decision of the division's board follow a rigorous and meticulous procedure, especially considering the remarkably high scientific value of the proposed awardees. Each proposal originates from a division member and requires a solid endorsement from two or more distinguished scientists worldwide. Consequently, the ultimate decision reflects a careful and devoted process aimed at recognizing the most relevant achievements among the best researchers. This is confirmed by the fact that awarded chemists, including those in the early stages of their careers, consistently validate their talent both in Italy and internationally on numerous occasions. The scientists are honored with medals and prizes in a solemn ceremony that takes place each year during the annual meeting of the Division of Organic Chemistry. The prizewinner collection 2022, introduced here, is presented in Table 1. The award ceremony occurred in Palermo, Italy, in September 2022. A brief introduction to awardees and their contributions to the special issue is provided below. In the review contribution entitled “Multifunctional coatings hinging on the catechol/amine interplay” Alessandra Napolitano, Gold Medal Adolfo Quilico awardee, and coworkers analyze literature data on the development of new wet adhesive nature-inspired coatings. The nature of starting precursors, their processing conditions, and final properties were deeply reported and rationalized. The review by the Medal Ciamician awardee, Dr Francesco Zinna with the title “Magnetic Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Organic Compounds” offers insights on the principles and applicability of MCPL in the study of photophysical properties of both chiral and achiral molecules. The third perspective of this collection, entitled “Late-Stage Functionalization of Pyridine-Containing Bioactive Molecules: Recent Strategies and Perspectives” by junior prize in Methodological Aspects awardee Valerio Fasano is aimed to provide organic chemists with a practical guide to address the regioselectivity issue in the late-stage functionalization of pyridine-containing bioactive molecules. In the research article by prize in Methodological Aspects awardee Renzo Luisi entitled “Forging CS Bonds on the Azetidine Ring by Continuous Flow Photochemical Addition of Thiols and Disulfides to Azetines” the authors illustrate the efficient use of an integrated photochemical continuous flow approach to create CS bonds on the azetidine ring in an organic chemistry laboratory in Puglia (southern Italy). This innovative synthetic strategy illustrates the generation of thiyl radicals and their subsequent reactions with 2-azetines. The integration of photochemistry and continuous flow technology plays a pivotal role in achieving rapid, resilient, and scalable transformations, thereby facilitating access to uncharted chemical realms. The opportunity of photocatalysis in driving new reactivity is also explored in the research article by the Ph.D. prize awardee Francesco Calogero entitled “A Dual Photoredox- and Cp2TiCl2-Catalyzed Approach for the Direct Access to α-Vinyl-β-hydroxy Esters”. In the study, a dual photoredox and titanium catalyzed protocol was applied in a vinylogous Reformasky-type reaction for the access to α-vinyl-β-hydroxy esters. Clean energy is the inspiring theme of the research article by Alessandro Mordini, awarded with the prize Environment in Energy Nanosciences. The study, entitled “Green Light-Responsive D-π-A-π-D Quinoxaline Emitters for Luminescent Solar Concentrators: Potential Integration in Agrivoltaic Systems“ reports the modular access to a small library of organic fluorescent dyes, whose photophysical properties appear suitable for the development of agrivoltaic technologies. In the research article by life science prize awardee, Serena Riela, entitled “Thixotropic Hydrogels Based on Laponite and Cucurbituril for Delivery of Lipophilic Drug Molecules” an innovative supramolecular hydrogel based on the combination of a synthetic clay material with cyclic oligomers of glycoluril units was deeply investigated both by an experimental and in silico points of view for the potential use in the skin delivery of lipophilic drugs. Advanced NMR techniques, combined with molecular docking and dynamic simulations were used to investigate at molecular level the binding of two synthetic antigen mimics to a newly disclosed member of immunoglobulin-like proteins. The research article entitled “Tumor Carbohydrate Associated Antigen Analogs as Potential Binders for Siglec-7” was coauthored by the Ph.D. prize winner Cristina Di Carluccio. A new class of macrocyclic hosts named prismarenes were recently reported by the Ph.D. winner Rocco Del Regno, who coauthored a paper entitled “Insights into the Self-Filling Effects of Branched Isopropyl Groups on the Conformational and Supramolecular Properties of Isopropoxyprism[6]arene” reporting the synthesis and the study of the conformational and complexation behavior of a new variant of the family. In conclusion, medals and prizes not only acknowledge the worthiest talents among organic chemists but also convey a key message to the entire community. This message encourages everyone to persevere through various challenges to strive for their greatest potential. The ultimate objective of this commitment is to contribute to a better society and respectful life for everyone in the world. The awardees, serving as ambassadors year after year, embody the primary purpose of our most significant efforts. Alessandro Abbotto is a full professor of organic chemistry and materials for renewable energies at the University of Milano-Bicocca. He is corresponding member of the Istituto Lombardo – Accademia di Scienze e Lettere, and has been recently nominated Chemistry Europe Fellow Class 2022/2023, the highest award given by Chemistry Europe. He graduated in chemistry and spent a few years as a post-doc researcher at the Universities of Berkeley (USA) and Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany). His research and teaching activities focus on materials for new green technologies in photovoltaics, hydrogen, and other artificial photosynthesis processes (green ammonia synthesis, solar fuels). He was the head of the Department of Materials Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca until 2021, directing a 5-year project funded by the Ministry of University and Research aimed at the “Departments of Excellence” on hydrogen, batteries, and photovoltaics. He was cofounder and first coordinator of the Group for Renewable Energy Chemistry of Società Chimica Italiana (SCI). Currently, he is the president of the Division of Organic Chemistry of SCI and the coordinator of the Chemistry Olympiad, an initiative of excellence promoted by the Ministry of Education and SCI aimed at students of secondary and primary schools. He teaches courses in chemical sciences, materials science, and primary education sciences. He is the coauthor of almost 180 scientific publications, including 21 national and international patents. In the last 5 years, he has published several books on key themes of 21st-century chemistry—including the green revolution, the ecological transition, hydrogen technologies, green ammonia, and electric mobility—as well as a collection of fiction-inspired stories about great chemists and their discoveries. He is also the director of the “U-Chem” book series, aimed at high-school and university students and devoted to contemporary topics in chemistry. He has recently published his first two novels. Maria Valeria D’Auria is full professor of organic chemistry at University of Naples “Federico II”, teaching organic chemistry II to students of pharmaceutic chemistry as well as stereochemistry and laboratory of organic chemistry. He teaches basic chemistry courses for bachelor's degrees to inmates-students of the high security prison of Secondigliano (NA). She acted for 15 years as coordinator of Ph.D. course “Scienza del Farmaco”. Currently, she is the past president of the Division of Organic Chemistry of SCI. Her scientific and research interest are mainly directed to the chemistry of marine natural products. The study was aimed to explore the extraordinary chemodiversity associated with the secondary metabolism of echinoderms, porifera, marine bacteria, and fungi. The synthesis of nature-inspired small molecules with potential applications in the anti-inflammatory and anticancer field is also a recent research topic. She coauthored about 130 papers on international journal with peer-review.