Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
1.2.1 Dendrimer Synthesis: Divergent and Convergent Methods
In contrast to traditional polymers, dendrimers are monodisperse, macromolecular
core-shell structures, consisting of three basic architectural components, namely:
(1) a core, (2) an interior of monomer shells (generations) consisting of repeating
branch-cell units, and (3) terminal functional groups (i.e., the outer shell or periph-
ery). Dendrimer synthesis strategies may be divided into two major approaches and
are referred to as either a divergent or convergent assembly strategies. The required
building blocks and synthetic pathways are as outlined in Figure 1.4.
FIGURE 1.4
Hierarchical assembly scheme illustrating the options for constructing dendri-
mers by either divergent (Tomalia-type) or convergent (Frechet-type) synthetic strategies.
