The first enantioselective catalytic approach to cis- and trans-2,3-diaryl substituted 1,5-benzothiazepines has been conveniently developed in a one-pot fashion, starting from α,β-unsaturated acyl pyrazoles and 2-aminothiophenol. The organocatalytic two-step sulfa-Michael/lactamization sequence is promoted by a readily available bifunctional thiourea and p-toluenesulfonic acid, respectively. The protocol enables access to both N-unprotected cis- and trans-diastereoisomers in moderate to satisfactory overall yields (up to 84%) and good to excellent ee values (up to 99%). Mechanistic investigations helped to shed light on the regio- and stereoselective outcome of the process.

Pseudorotaxane complexes between β-CD and mPEG derivatives bearing a carboxylic acid function (mPEG–COOH) were synthesized and investigated for their dispersing properties in a cement-based mortar. The formation of mPEG–COOH derivatives and their pseudorotaxanes was investigated by 1D nuclear magnetic resonance, diffusion ordered spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis experiments. Mortar tests clearly indicate that mPEG–COOH@β-CD-interpenetrated supramolecules show excellent dispersing abilities. In addition, the supramolecular complexes show a retarding effect, analogously to other known β-CD-based superplasticizers in which the β-CD is covalently grafted on a polymeric backbone.

The leather industry creates a product that is both natural and long lasting. Leather is unique in its ability to combine beauty, comfort and practicality. Finishing, the last operation in natural leather processing, determines the appearance and value of the finished product, and has the purpose of embellishment, providing lustre and pleasant feel, covering flaws and forming a surface layer that protects leather during wear while improving resistance to external factors. The quality of the pigment pastes used in the composition of the leather surface finishing films influences some of the physical-mechanical, technological and aesthetic properties of the finished products. The materials for finishing – pigment pastes with aesthetic effect – were obtained based on dioxide-titanium, metal pigment-aluminum, polymeric binder, lauryl alcohol ethoxylated with 7 moles of ethylene oxide, waxes and plasticizers and were characterized by physical-chemical, microscopical, spectral and rheological analyses. Pigment pastes with metallic effect were used in combination with film forming acrylic and polyurethane polymers, with high resistance to light and aging for finishing natural leathers, with applications in creative industries (modern footwear).

This work concerns with obtaining and characterization of new hydrogels based on sodium alginate and gelatin in the form of cross-linked polymer networks, aimed at medical applications, for example controlled release of bioactive agents (pharmaceutical industry) and bioinks (regenerative medicine). Our synthesis strategy was based on the use of mild, ecological reaction conditions in the absence of crosslinking agents and organic oxidants. Only industrially available sodium alginate and gelatin from leather wastes, produced at micro-pilot level at INCDTP-ICPI, were used, without the presence of any additional crosslinking agents, to test their ability to form strong 3D gels. Tunable physical-chemical and mechanical properties of the hydrogels have were obtained by varying the ratio sodium alginate: gelatin. Newly synthesized hydrogels were characterized by both analytical methods, such as ATR-FTIR, TG-DTG and SEM, and standard tests for mechanical resistance.

Leather has a natural beauty that, unlike many materials, improves with age, and has long been a component of luxury goods such as footwear, leather goods and clothing. It is a natural and durable material, unmatched by any synthetic product, in terms of hygienic and protective properties. Thanks to the skills of leather producers, who take the same basic raw material, natural leathers are processed through different technological processes and transformed into finished leathers for various clothing items with high-performance properties. Finishing is achieved through a series of technologies, using materials that provide the finished leather with the desired aesthetic characteristics related to fashion, colors and special effects (pearl, two-tone, antique, printed, glossy, matte, waxed, etc.). Hand-painted natural leather shoes are also in fashion, to give a personal touch to a luxury item. The work presents surface finishing technologies of ecological natural leathers (tanned without metals), using pigment pastes with a metallic effect, in combination with acrylic and polyurethane polymers, with resistance to light and aging. White and pastel finished leathers with silver and gold effect can be used in creative industries for artistic and luxury footwear (especially for women).