This proposition of prize is related to the synthesis and characterization of a series of derivatives of cyclodextrins and their (II) copper complexes and their application, for the first time, in the study of their influence on superoxide (SOD), enzyme responsible for the control of the noxious radical superoxide present to cellular level. There are systematically studied the factors that influence SOD's activity, as well as the modeling of enzyme - substrate recognition processes.

The work is markedly multidisciplinary since it embraces, among others, aspects of chemical synthesis, bioinorganics, spectroscopy of paramagnetic electronic resonance and supramolecular chemistry.

It allowed knowing the main characteristics that a copper complex should have to be a good catalyst facing the radical superoxide. It should possess:

• · A coordination geometry with high tetrahedral distortion,
• · Groups able to form hydrogen bridges,
• · Groups positively charged.

The result obtained was published in nine publications in prestigious magazines (e.g. Journal of Carbohydrate Chemestry). It has great relevance and scientific novelty, as well as a possible application in the treatment of different diseases.

It was used to defend a doctorate thesis related to this work that was chosen the best in the University of Havana (UH) in 1999.