Dendrimers and other dendritic macromolecules: From building blocks to functional assemblies in nanoscience and nanotechnology

Abstract

Given their size, in the single-digit nanometer range, and the versatility of their functionality, dendrimers and other dendritic macromolecules are poised to make a significant contribution to the rapidly expanding fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This highlight focuses on nascent applications of dendrimers that take advantage of their structural features and polyvalent character. In particular, the concept of dendritic encapsulation of function, borrowed from Nature, can be applied to the design of a varied array of energy-harvesting, lightemitting, or catalytic macromolecules. Similarly, the compact size and hierarchical ordering of components within dendrimers make them ideal for exploring the limits of nanolithography. Finally, the presence of differentiated functionalities and the polyvalent character of dendrons and dendrimers constitute strong assets for their use in polymer therapeutics.

Thermoresponsive hyperbranched polyethylenimines with isobutyramide functional groups

“…Thus, the functional end-groups coming from the terminal structure of dendrimers only locate in the periphery of the spheroid-like materials. 16,17 Unlike dendrimers, the degree of branchings of hyperbranched polymers are usually less than 100%, that is, hyperbranched polymers consist of terminal, linear and dendritic structures, leading the functional end-groups coming from the terminal and linear structure of hyperbranched polymers to locate not only in the periphery of the spheroid-like materials, but also in the inner parts. [18][19][20][21][22] The attachment of some specific functional groups to the periphery of the spheroid-like dendrimers can render them thermoresponsive in aqueous media.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] Dendrimers and their less-defined hyperbranched analogues are attracting tremendous interest at present due to their specific spheroid-like shape and multifunctionality, which are powerful motifs in the design of new molecular and supramolecular structures. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The procedures for the syntheses of structure-perfect dendrimers are usually multistep and time-consuming, which currently limits their practical use. For that reason their imperfect analogues, hyperbranched polymers, easily and economically prepared from AB m -type monomers in a one step process have gained increasing interest, especially in industrial applications.…”

Dendrimers based on [1,3,5]‐triazines

“…More general accounts of dendrimers, their nomenclature, and synthetic routes useful for their preparation can be found elsewhere. [1][2][3][4][5] WHY TRIAZINES?…”

Dendrimers Clicked Together Divergently

“…15,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Coincident with these developments is the increasing need for facile, costeffective methods that provide covalent connections between dendrimer generations, either convergently 43 or divergently, 44,45 and for variability in the composition and properties of the dendritic scaffold. Although many families of dendrimers have been produced, there remain opportunities for further developments, especially given the iterative growth scheme, which require efficient and versatile chemistries for the preparation of well-defined dendrimers.…”

“…The ability to tune the properties of dendrimers [1][2][3][4][5] has allowed their development for use in diverse applications, including drug delivery, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] biomimicry, 8,9,[16][17][18][19] catalysis, 15,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] organic light emitting diodes, 15,21,[27][28][29] molecular wires, 30,31 sensors, [32][33][34][35] imaging agents, 7,9 and various other utilities. 15,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Coincident with these developments is the increasing nee...…”