Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 16.21
Multiplication of Natural Killer cells using phosphorus dendrimers and the
biological efficiency of the NK cells thus generated.
presence of dendrimers is not modified. Cultures with these dendrimers preserve
autologous lymphocytes, and did not induce activation or inhibition of the NK cells
lytic response, nor compromise direct toxicity for their target cells, as shown in
Figure 16.21 for the Burkitt lymphoma, but also for dozens of lymphoma and
carcinoma cells strains. In view of the importance of these findings, we began a
detailed QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) study, by varying in
particular the type of phosphonate terminal groups [91], or their density [92].
16.6 CONCLUSION
This chapter demonstrates that phosphorus-containing dendrimers constitute a
specific class of dendrimers easily tunable due to the extraordinary versatility of
phosphorus chemistry, and having a high potential of properties and uses. The
versatility is demonstrated in particular with the synthesis of series of dendritic
molecules whose complexity is unattainable up to now using other types of synthetic
methodologies, without phosphorus; it is in particular illustrated by the reactivity
inside the branches of phosphorus dendrimers after their synthesis. The reactivity of
the end groups of these phosphorus dendrimers has also allowed the grafting of a
tremendous number of type of functional groups. The variety of these end groups
allowed studying potential applications of these dendrimers in three main fields: (i)
catalysis, (ii) (nano)materials, and (iii) biology.
(i) The main advantage of using dendrimers in catalysis in general concerns their
easy recovery, which can be an important criterion when pure products are
needed, or when the catalyst is expensive; efforts are now focused on finding
positive dendritic effects, on using cheap and nontoxic metals (or even no
metals), and on using ecofriendly solvents (ethanol, water, super critical fluids).
