The Department of Inorganic Chemistry guarantees the studies in the fields of Inorganic Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Chemistry for Teaching in bachelor's, master's and doctoral study programmes.
As a part of our research, we focus on the preparation and study of new coordination compounds of transition metals, in particular, on the development of new compounds with medicinal application potential (e.g. substances with antitumour, anti-inflammatory or antidiabetic activity or contrast agents for diagnostic imaging methods) or compounds with interesting magnetic, optical or catalytic properties with industrial application potential (e.g. high-density storage media, various types of sensors).
Our teaching activites, as a guarantor of Chemistry for Teaching studies at the Faculty of Science of Palacký University, are also focused on increasing pupils' and students' interest in science and motivation to study science, co-organizing chemical Olympics and also on extracurricular chemical activities for primary and secondary school students.
News
Student publication in Dalton Transactions
17. April 2025
Student publication entitled " A novel type of heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes featuring nitrogen-rich tetrazine ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, spectral properties, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations " (authors: A. Sztula, P. Antal, I. Nemec, M. Kubala, R. Herchel) has been published in the chemistry journal Dalton Transactions.
This paper focuses on coordination compounds of Cu(I) with tetrazine-based ligands as potential photosensitizers. Four new compounds have been prepared, two dinuclear and two mononuclear, with the latter being the first reported case of this class of coordination compounds. Electronic structures of the prepared compounds were characterized by various methods as well as their stability in solution. Low HOMO-LUMO gap in the prepared Cu(I) complexes leads to low emissive properties, however theoretical calculations have lit a way to new possibilities, giving motivation to continue the research in this field.
Publication in ChemistryOpen
03. March 2025
Publication entitled "Improved Synthesis of Dinuclear [M(μ-X)(η⁵-Cp*)X]₂ Precursors for Half-Sandwich Complexes (M = Rh or Ir; X = Br or I)" (authors: K. Petrželová, O. Bárta, R. Héžová, A. Andrýsková, J. Hošek, P. Štarha) has been published in the chemistry journal ChemistryOpen.
In this work, we describe an optimized and efficient synthesis of important dinuclear precursors with the general formula [M(μ-X)(η⁵-Cp*)X]₂ (where M = Rh or Ir; X = Br or I), which serve as key starting materials for the preparation of so-called half-sandwich complexes with potential applications in bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis.
The study also included model investigations of biological activity, which demonstrated that these complexes do not exhibit cytotoxic activity against human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, either cisplatin-sensitive (A549, MOR) or cisplatin-resistant (MOR/CPR). In addition, the catalytic activity of the prepared complexes was evaluated. While the iridium complexes showed modest catalytic activity in the model transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone, the rhodium analogues were practically inactive.
Although these precursors themselves are not biologically active and their catalytic efficiency is limited, the data obtained may be valuable for comparison and evaluation of the influence of the metal center and halogen on the properties of the derived complexes, both in the field of bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis.
Publication in Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers
29. January 2025
Publication entitled "Anticancer iridium(III) cyclopentadienyl complexes" (author: P. Štarha) has been published in the chemistry journal Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers.
This review provides the reader with an overview of the anticancer active Ir(III) cyclopentadienyl coordination compounds and the diverse chemical, biochemical and biological methods used in their research and development. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and mechanisms of action (MoA) are discussed with respect to anticancer activity and in comparison to their structural Ru(II), Rh(III) and Os(II) analogues. Considerable attention is paid to the discussion of in vivo anticancer activity and related aspects such as drug delivery strategies, multicomponent compounds or photodynamic therapy.
