Definition and classification of dendritic molecules

The first correctly dendritically branched molecules were termed cascade molecules and could be prepared divergently by a cascade synthesis (Section 1.1). 

Dendritic molecules (cascade molecules) are repetitively branched compounds. This collective term embraces the various dendrimers. The latter generally exhibit almost perfect structures and display properties characteristic of monodisperse compounds (see also Section 1.3). With regard to their molecular masses, dendrimers range from low-molecular to high-molecular chemistry. 

Cascadanes consist exclusively of molecules of the same kind and the same weight with correct, regularly branched, or perfect, defect-free structure [40]. 

In contrast, hyperhranched compounds, which do not have perfect structures owing to their method of synthesis, show polydisperse properties because they contain molecules of different masses. 

If parts of dendrimers and cascadanes acts as substituents or functional groups of molecules, then they are called dendrons, or - if defect-free - casca-dons. 

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