معرفی
Professor Barbara Milani is a Full Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste's Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She serves as Coordinator of the Doctoral Studies Board for Chemistry Cycle XXXIV and is a member of various departmental committees including the Department's Board and Boards of Studies. Her international recognition is evidenced by her role as coordinator of Working Group 2 'COx activation' within the COST Action CM1205 – CARISMA.
Prof. Milani's research focuses on homogeneous catalysis for controlled polymerization, with particular emphasis on two main areas: ethylene/polar vinyl monomer copolymerization and CO/vinyl arene copolymerization. Both research lines utilize palladium(II) complexes with nitrogen-donor ligands as catalysts. Her work addresses critical challenges in polymer chemistry including catalyst stability, polymer stereochemistry, and controlled incorporation of polar monomers.
Her recent publications demonstrate significant advances in understanding the relationship between ligand structure and catalytic behavior, particularly regarding stereochemical control in polyketone synthesis. Her research group has developed catalysts that can produce syndiotactic, isotactic, and atactic polyketones depending on ligand design and monomer selection.
Prof. Milani currently leads several research projects including 'Catalysts and process for olefins and polar vinyl monomers copolymerization and olefins homopolymerization' (funded by REGIONE AUTONOMA FVG, 2024-2025). Her laboratory regularly hosts PhD students, Master's students, and international collaborators, reflecting her strong network of national and international research partnerships.
Her research group includes PhD students Chiara Alberoni and Francesca Malori, and Master's students Linda De Marchi and Greta Fogar. She maintains longstanding collaborations with colleagues within her department including Prof. Enzo Alessio, Prof. Elisabetta Iengo, Dr. Gabriele Balducci, Prof. Paolo Fornasiero, Prof. Tiziano Montini, and Prof. Fulvia Felluga.