Discipline - General and Inorganic Chemistry

Professor Uivarosi Valentina, PhD tenured
Professor Boscencu Rica, PhD tenured
Professor Pahontu Elena-Mihaela, PhD tenured
Assistant Professor Visan Diana Carolina, PhD tenured

Inorganic Chemistry, basic discipline in pharmacy education, has been included in the curriculum since the foundation of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy , in 1855, alongside other chemistry disciplines. The first Inorganic Chemistry courses were taught by professors: Alexe Marin, Carol Davila, Constantin C. Hepites, Dumitru Popescu, Emanoil Bacaloglu, Adolf Trausch and Alfred Nicolaus Bernath-Lendway. The Department was led over time by Pharmacy education celebrities, as follows:

  • Prof. Mihail Georgescu (1892-1902),
  • Prof. Eugen Ludwig (1924-1928),
  • Prof. Constantin Bordeianu (1929-1934 şi 1942-1947),
  • Prof. Alexandru Ionescu-Matiu (1934-1941),
  • Associate Prof. Aurel Georgescu (1948-1952),
  • Associate Prof. Emil Trandafirescu (1952-1958),
  • Associate Prof. Ion Popa (1959-1961),
  • Associate Prof. Dumitru Cismaru (1961-1971),
  • Associate Prof. Nicolae Teodorescu (1971-1973),
  • Associate Prof. Vladimir Lambrino (1974-1984),
  • Associate Prof. Veronica Nacea (1984-2011).

Currently, the General and Inorganic Chemistry discipline is run by Prof. Valentina Uivarosi. Maintaining tradition regarding the quality of teaching and performance in scientific research, the activity of the teachers is geared towards augmenting the international impact of the scientific research, high-standard coordination of the PhD students, involving students in research, improving the equipment for teaching and the research infrastructure.

The General and Inorganic Chemistry discipline, with mandatory statute, consists of a 3-hour course and a 3-hour practical course per week(6 credits) for the 1st semester of the 1st year, and a 2-hour course and 3-hour practical course per week(6 credits) for the 2nd semester.

The purpose of the discipline is to provide 1st  year students with a solid theoretical foundation of General and Inorganic Chemistry, necessary for specialty training in the Pharmacy field, training the skills of grasping concepts for problem solving, formulating explanations, leading investigations and presenting results, developing skills necessary for pharmaceutical practice.

Postgraduate training courses have also been held in the discipline, addressing topics of interest for pharmacy graduates (The impact of inorganic chemistry in Pharmacy, Purpose of trace elements in the organism, Inorganic medication, Mineral supplements, Inorganic compounds for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer).

Training of PhD students  is the highest level of specialization supported by the discipline.

The research activity of teachers is carried out on 3 main courses:

  1. Synthesis and characterization of biologically active complex combinations, potential therapeutic or diagnostic agents;
  2. The study of interactions between metallic complexes and DNA bio-molecules, albumin, transferrin;
  3. Quantification of metallic ions from various samples.

Synthesis of new, biologically active, metallic complexes with various ligands is obtained through classical methods, or microwave iradiation. Isolation of monocrystals, adequate for analysis through X-Ray Diffraction(XRD) is another purpose of preparative research. Metallic complexes and their ligands are characterized physico-chemically in the discipline, through spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, UV-Vis, fluorescence), determining the melting temperature, determining the molar conductance and concentration of the metal ion.

Completion of physico-chemical characterization of the complexes is obtained through in-faculty collaborations or with research teams in the country/foreign countries. Synthetised compounds are designed as potential anti-infectious agents, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory or as diagnostic agents in diagnosis by photosensitivity. Assessment of the biological action of the complexes is made in collaboration.

Interaction between metallic complexes and Calf-Thymus DNA (ctDNA) is studied through titration techniques UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, including competitive binding studies with ethidium bromide. Interaction between metallic complexes and albumin/transferrin is investigated through absorption spectroscopy UV-Vis and various techniques of fluorescence spectroscopy.

The metal content of various samples (vegetable products, biological samples, pharmaceutical concoctions etc) is determined through atomic absorption spectrometry by flame or graphite furnace.

Teaching and scientific research activities are becoming more and more interconnected. In the discipline operates the Inorganic Chemistry Students’ Scientific Circle, in which teachers guide students in realizing coordinative/bioinorganic chemistry projects,  in accordance with the research directions of the discipline. Results obtained from the research activity in the circle are presented during Students’ Scientific Sessions, other national or international events, or are used as subject in bachelor’s degree theses.

1st SEMESTER

Analytical curriculum of the course (3 hours/week, 42 hours/semester)

Basic chemistry notions

  1. Atom structure notions
  2. The Periodic table
  3. Chemical bonds
  4. Physical bonds
  5. States of aggregation
  6. Magnetic and electrical properties of substances
  7. Thermochemistry, Kinetics and Chemical equilibrium notions
  8. Equilibrium in Electrolyte solutions
  9. Acid-Base reactions
  10. Precipitation reactions
  11. Reactions that form complex combinations
  12. Oxidation-reduction reactions

Analytical curriculum of practical works (3 hours/week, 42 hours/semester)

  1. Rules of protection in chemistry labs
  2. Utensils and laboratory equipment
  3. General lab operations
  4. Solutions
  5. Checking basic laws of chemistry
  6. Thermic effects of chemical reactions
  7. Reaction speed
  8. Chemical equilibrium
  9. Electrical properties of ions
  10. Acid-base reactions
  11. Precipitation reactions
  12. Reactions that form complex combinations
  13. Oxidation-reduction reactions

2nd SEMESTER

Analytical curriculum of the course (2 hours/week, 28 hours/semester)

  1. Introduction in the study of Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
  2. Hydrogen
  3. Group IA (1)
  4. Group IIA (2)
  5. Group IIIA (13)
  6. Group IVA (14)
  7. Group VA (15)
  8. Group VIA (16)
  9. Group VIIA (17)
  10. Transition metals: general characterization
  11. Group VIB (6)
  12. Group VIIB (7)
  13. Group VIIIB (8, 9, 10)
  14. Group IB (11)
  15. Group IIB (12)

Analytical curriculum of practical works (3 hours/week, 42 hours/semester)

  1. Hydrogen
  2. Group I A (1). Poorly soluble combinations with alkaline metals
  3. Group II A(2). Combinations Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II).
  4. Group IIIA(3). Combinations of elements B and Al
  5. Group IVA (14). Combinations of elements C, Sn, Pb
  6. Group V A(15). Combinations of elements N, P, As, Sb, Bi
  7. Group VI A(16). Combinations of elements O AYi S
  8. Group VII A(17). Combinations of elements F, Cl, Br, I.
  9. Group IB(11). Combinations Cu(I), Cu(II), Ag(I)
  10. Group IIB(12). Combinations Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(I), Hg(II)
  11. Group VIB(6). Combinations Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(VI).
  12. Group VIIB(7). Combinations Mn(II), Mn(IV), Mn(VI), Mn(VII)
  13. Group VIIIB(8). Combinations Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(II).

In the General and Inorganic Chemistry discipline operate 4 doctorate leaders, responsible for the coordination and guidance of the research activities during the preparation of the doctorate thesis:

  • Prof. Dr. Veronica Nacea (since 1998)
  • Prof. Dr. Rica Boscencu (since  2013)
  • Associate Prof. Elena Mihaela PanonALu (since 2014)
  • Prof. Dr. Valentina Uivarosi (since 2015),

Research themes chosen for the doctorate theses are in accordance with the research directions of the doctorate leaders.

In order to obtain a spot financed by the state, an exam must be taken, containing the following themes:

  1. Ionic and covalent bonds in inorganic combinations
  2. Physical bonds. Implications in biological systems
  3. Complex combinations: general notions, classes of complex combinations.
  4. Stability of complex combinations: stability constants, factors influencing the stability of complex combinations
  5. Chemical bonds in complex combinations: valence bond theory
  6. Chemical bonds in complex combinations: crystalline field theory
  7. Absorption spectrometry in ultraviolet and visible spectrum: principles and applications
  8. Absorption spectrometry in infrared: principles and applications
  9. Biological role of representative elements
  10. Biological implications of transitional metal ions
  • complex combinations
  • tetrapyrrole ligands
  • quinolone antibiotic ligands
  • flavonoid derivate ligands
  • thiosemicarbazone type ligands
  • semicarbazone ligands
  • Schiff base type ligands
  • hydrazone type ligands
  1. Advanced theranostic approach in cancer combining photodynamic therapy and nanoparticles, MNT-ERA.NET international project obtained through contest in the European and International Cooperation program , Subprogram 3.2 - Orizont 2020, Ongoing period 2016-2019, total budget for project 668.340 €, total budget romanian partner 250.000 €. Project manager - Prof. Dr. Rica Boscencu
  2. Tetrapyrrole nanostructures towards fluorescent molecular markers for biomedicine, ERA.NET international project, ongoing period 2010-2013, total budget – 575.000 €, total budget romanian partner – 295.000 €.  Project manager - Prof. Dr. Rica Boscencu.
  3. Design and development of transport and disposal systems for new, antitumor rutenium compounds, project in the PNII national program. Partnerships in priority domains, contract nr. 136/2012, ongoing period 2012-2016, total budget of 450.000 lei, project manager - Prof. Dr. Valentina Uivarosi.
  4. Cellular-level in vitro assessment of the properties of multipurpose heterocyclic systems with potential biomedical applications, project in the PNII national program. Partnerships in priority domains, contract nr. 41047/2007, ongoing period 2007-2010, total budget 2.000.000 lei, Project manager - Prof. Dr. Rica Boscencu.
  5. Synthesis, characterization and testing of the biological action of new rutenium complex combinations, potential alternative for platinum-based compunds therapy, project in the PNII national program. Partnerships in priority domains, contract nr. 61048/2007, ongoing period 2007-2010, total budget 2.000.000 lei, Project manager - Prof. Dr. Valentina Uivarosi.
  1. Rusu A., Hancu G., Tóth G., Vancea S., Toma F., Mare A.D., Man A., Nitulescu G.M.,Uivarosi V. New silver complexes with levofloxacin: Synthesis, characterization and microbiological studies. J. Mol. Struct. 2016, 1123:384-393.
  2. Pahonţu E., Paraschivescu C., Ilieş D.-C., Poirier D., Oprean C., Păunescu V., Gulea A., Roşu T., Bratu O. Synthesis and characterization of novel Cu(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes with 8-ethyl-2-hydroxytricyclo(7.3.1.0 2,7 )tridecan-13- onethiosemicarbazone: antimicrobial and in vitro antiproliferative activity. Molecules 2016, 21:674; doi:10.3390/molecules21050674.
  3. Socoteanu R., Manda G., Boscencu R., Vasiliu G., Oliveira A.S. Synthesis, spectral analysis and preliminary in vitro evaluation of some tetrapyrrolic complexes with 3d metal ions. Molecules 2015, 20:15488-15499.
  4. Pahonţu E., Julea F., Roşu T., Purcărea V., Chumakov Y., Petrenco P., Gulea A. Antibacterial, antifungal and in vitro antileukaemia activity of metal complexes with thiosemicarbazones. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 2015, 20:1-14.
  5. Munteanu A., Uivarosi V., Andries A. Recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of radioresistance in Deinococcus bacteria. Extremophiles 2015, 19:707-719
  6. Uivarosi V., Badea M., Olar R., Draghici C., Barbuceanu S.F. Synthesis and characterization of some new complexes of magnesium (II) and zinc (II) with the natural flavonoid primuletin. Molecules 2013, 18:7631-7645.
  7. Boscencu R., Oliveira A.S., Ferreira D.P., Ferreira L.F.V. Synthesis and spectral evaluation of some unsymmetrical mesoporphyrinic complexes. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13:8112-8125.
  8. Vieira Ferreira L.F., Ferreira D.P., Oliveira A.S., Boscencu R., Socoteanu R., Ilie M., Constantin C., Neagu M., Synthesis, photophysical and cytotoxicity evaluation of A3B type mesoporphyrinic compounds. Dyes and Pigments 2012, 95:296-303.
  9. Roşu T., Pahonţu E., Maxim C., Georgescu R., Stanica N., Gulea A. Some new Cu(II) complexes containing an ON donor Schiff base: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity. Polyhedron 2011, 30:154–162.

University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila" Bucharest

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Dionisie Lupu Street, no. 37, Sector 2, Bucharest

Fiscal code: 4192910
bank account: RO57TREZ70220F330500XXXX
Bank: Sector 2 Treasury

Phone:
+4021 3180719
+4021 3180721
+4021 3180722
rectorat@umfcd.ro

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