Dendrimers and other dendritic macromolecules: From building blocks to functional assemblies in nanoscience and nanotechnology (original) (raw)
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Advances in the Elegance of Chemistry in Designing Dendrimers
Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2010
Highly functional and monodisperse macromolecules with tailored architecture constitute the key to designing efficient and smart nanomaterials. Dendrimers offer real potential to achieve this goal, and one of the earlier challenges faced by this novel class of polymers has been addressed by the evolution of synthetic methodologies. This review provides an evaluation of the role played by chemistry in taking these macromolecules of academic relevance to practical industrial and biological applications, in a relatively short period. One can now construct dendrimers in a 'made-to-order' fashion, for numerous applications in a variety of disciplines.
Dendrimers, Dendrons, and Dendritic Polymers: Discovery, Applications, and the Future
2012
Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction; 2. The dendritic state; 3. Synthetic methodologies; 4. Characterization methodologies; 5. Biopharmaceutical applications and products; 6. Toxicology of dendrimers and dendrons; 7. The dendritic effect; 8. Dendrons and dendrimers: quantized dendritic building blocks leading to a new nano-periodic system; 9. The past, present and future for dendrimers and dendrons.
2004
In this article we describe the synthesis, characterization, and applications of dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). These materials are synthesized by a template approach in which metal ions are extracted into the interior of dendrimers and then subsequently chemically reduced to yield nearly size-monodisperse particles having dimensions of less than 3 nm. Monometallic, bimetallic (including core/shell), and semiconductor nanoparticles have been prepared by this route. The dendrimer component of these composites serves not only as a template for preparing the nanoparticle replica but also to stabilize the nanoparticle, makes it possible to tune solubility, and provides a means for immobilization of the nanoparticle on solid supports. These materials have a number of potential applications, but the focus here is on catalysis. Homogeneous catalytic reactions, including hydrogenations, Heck coupling, and Suzuki reactions, in water, organic solvents, biphasic fluorous/organic ...
Photoactive and Electroactive Dendrimers: Future Trends and Applications
Australian Journal of Chemistry, 2011
The initial interest in dendrimer chemistry was the synthesis of such aesthetically pleasant macromolecules. Nowadays, the field is moving to applications in various multidisciplinary areas, such as medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, i.e. at the interface of many disciplines. This short review describes some promising applications of photoactive and electroactive dendrimers as artificial enzymes, molecular batteries, sensors with signal amplification, photoswitchable hosts, systems for energy up-conversion, and light-harvesting antennas. The reported examples clearly show that these applications take advantage of the unique aspects of dendrimer structure: (i) three-dimensional array; (ii) generation-dependent size; (iii) presence of selected functional units in predetermined sites; and (iv) endo-and exo-receptor capabilities.
A Review of Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Functionalized Dendrimers
2017
Dendrimers are multipurpose, nanosized particles that can be functionalized with various chemical procedures. The ability to control and engineer Critical Nanoscale Design Parameters such as architecture, shape, size, rigidity, flexibility, composition and surface chemistry offers a catalog of possibilities for utilizing dendrimers as modules for the thriving Nanotechnology industry. Contributions from researchers with various scientific backgrounds who have worked on different objectives that resulted to several applications of functionalized dendrimers are cited in this review.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Dendrimer-Encapsulated Nanoparticles
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2004
In this article we describe the synthesis, characterization, and applications of dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). These materials are synthesized by a template approach in which metal ions are extracted into the interior of dendrimers and then subsequently chemically reduced to yield nearly size-monodisperse particles having dimensions of less than 3 nm. Monometallic, bimetallic (including core/shell), and semiconductor nanoparticles have been prepared by this route. The dendrimer component of these composites serves not only as a template for preparing the nanoparticle replica but also to stabilize the nanoparticle, makes it possible to tune solubility, and provides a means for immobilization of the nanoparticle on solid supports. These materials have a number of potential applications, but the focus here is on catalysis. Homogeneous catalytic reactions, including hydrogenations, Heck coupling, and Suzuki reactions, in water, organic solvents, biphasic fluorous/organic solvents, and liquid and supercritical CO 2 are discussed. In many cases it is easy to recycle catalytic DENs. DENs can also be immobilized on supports, such as silica and titania, and used for heterogeneous catalysis. Bimetallic DENs are shown to have particularly interesting catalytic properties. In addition to a discussion of current progress in this field, a number of intriguing questions related to the properties and potential applications of these materials are examined.
Dendrimeric Structures in the Synthesis of Fine Chemicals
Materials
Dendrimers are highly branched structures with a defined shape, dimension, and molecular weight. They consist of three major components: the central core, branches, and terminal groups. In recent years, dendrimers have received great attention in medicinal chemistry, diagnostic field, science of materials, electrochemistry, and catalysis. In addition, they are largely applied for the functionalization of biocompatible semiconductors, in gene transfection processes, as well as in the preparation of nano-devices, including heterogeneous catalysts. Here, we describe recent advances in the design and application of dendrimers in catalytic organic and inorganic processes, sustainable and low environmental impact, photosensitive materials, nano-delivery systems, and antiviral agents’ dendrimers.
Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 2007
This micro-review shows how a simple but powerful organometallic C-H activation could be made very useful for the construction of a large variety of stars, dendritic cores, dendrons and dendrimers of variable sizes including giant dendrimers and gold-nanoparticle-cored dendrimers. The synthesis of ferrocenyl-terminated dendrimers was then achieved by reactions of chlorocarbonylferrocene with polyamino dendrimers, ferrocenylsilylation of polyolefin dendrons and dendrimers and ''click'' reactions of ferrocenyl acetylene with azidoterminated dendrimers. The functions of these metallodendrimers include molecular electronics (molecular batteries), molecular redox recognition and sensing and catalysis using dendritic stabilization of nanoparticle catalysts.
Dendrimers in biomedical applications—reflections on the field
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2012
The formation of particulate systems with well-defined sizes and shapes is of eminent interest in certain medical applications such as drug delivery, gene transfection, and imaging. The high level of control possible over the architectural design of dendrimers; their size, shape, branching length/density, and their surface functionality, clearly distinguishes these structures as unique and optimum carriers in those applications. The bioactive agents may be encapsulated into the interior of the dendrimers or chemically attached/physically adsorbed onto the dendrimer surface, with the option of tailoring the carrier to the specific needs of the active material and its therapeutic applications. In this regard, the high density of exo-presented surface groups allows attachment of targeting groups or functionality that may modify the solution behavior or toxicity of dendrimers. Quite remarkably, modified dendrimers have been shown to act as nano-drugs against tumors, bacteria, and viruses. Recent successes in simplifying and optimizing the synthesis of dendrimers such as the 'lego' and 'click' approaches, provide a large variety of structures while at the same time reducing the cost of their production. The reflections on biomedical applications of dendrimers given in this review clearly demonstrate the potential of this new fourth major class of polymer architecture and indeed substantiate the high hopes for the future of dendrimers.