Dendrimer solution structure

These dendrimers expand the repertoire of polymers available for study. Current investigations are primarily limited to linear polymers that possess ill-defined solution structures and fewer hydroxyl groups for further modification. The introduction of biocompatible building blocks (e.g., glycerol and lactic acid) augments the favorable and already known physical properties of dendrimers. These properties are likely to facilitate the design of new materials for specific biomedical and tissue engineering applications. 

Kozlov, G. V Dolbin, I. V Tlenkopachev, M. A. The intercommunication of free relaxation time and macromolecule structure for dendrimers solutions. Proceedings of Vl-th International Sci.-Techn. Conf Mathematical and Computer Simulation of Natural Scientific an Social Problems. Penza, PSU, 2012,133-136. 

This chapter describes in detail the hierarchical self-assembly of lithium-bridged helicates that are in equilibrium with the corresponding monomeric building blocks in solution. Structural and thermodynamic principles of the reaction were investigated in solid, solution, and gas phases and are well understood. The scope and the limits of the process related to metal ion or ligand variations were also discussed. In addition, it was shown that the peripheries of the complexes can be decorated to obtain novel dendrimers or observe some unprecedented stereochemical effects. The work is now on a level to be utilized for the development of functional materials or in systems chemistry. 

Due to dieir compact, branched structure and to die resulting lack of chain entanglement, dendritic polymers exhibit much lower melt and solution viscosity dian their lineal" counterparts. Low a-values in die Mark-Houwink-Sakurada intrinsic viscosity-molar mass equation have been reported for hyperbranched polyesters.198 199 Dendrimers do not obey diis equation, a maximum being observed in die corresponding log-log viscosity-molar mass curves.200 The lack of chain entanglements, which are responsible for most of the polymer mechanical properties, also explains why hyperbranched polymers cannot be used as diermoplastics for structural applications. Aldiough some crystalline or liquid... 

The cavities in dendrimers are not permanent, but can be redistrubuted as the branches, which can possess considerable degrees of flexibility, move about. The inclusion of guest molecules within a dendrimer may occur as a result of movements in the branches, which allow temporary inclusion of the guest molecule within the dendrimer structure. In solution, it is assumed that molecules of solvent are able to move with ease through the branches of dendrimers, hopping between such temporary cavities with little or no hindrance. When the solvent is removed, the dendrimer may collapse to a distinctly reduced volume. 

X-ray diffraction patterns from dendrimers tend to lack sharp features and are similar to those from amorphous linear polymers. This suggests a molecular arrangement in dendrimers that is fairly disordered. There is also the problem that these molecules can exist in a large number of energetically equivalent conformations and that in solution there can be rapid interchange between these conformations. This contributes to the overall amorphous structure of dendrimers. 

Baars MWPL, Meijer EW (2000) Host-Guest Chemistry of Dendritic Molecules. 210 131-182 Balczewski P, see Mikoloajczyk M (2003) 223 161-214 Ballauff M (2001) Structure of Dendrimers in Dilute Solution. 212 177-194 Baltzer L (1999) Functionalization and Properties of Designed Folded Polypeptides. 202 39-76 Balzani V, Ceroni P, Maestri M, Saudan C, Vicinelli V (2003) Luminescent Dendrimers. Recent Advances. 228 159-191 Barre L, see Lasne M-C (2002) 222 201-258 Bartlett RJ, see Sun J-Q (1999) 203 121-145... 

Perrier RJ (2001) Direct Conversion of 5,6-Unsaturated Hexopyranosyl Compounds to Functionalized Glycohexanones. 215 277-291 Frey H, Schlenk C (2000) Silicon-Based Dendrimers. 210 69-129 Forster S (2003) Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for Templating Applications. 226 1-28 Frullano L, Rohovec J, Peters JA, Geraldes CFGC (2002) Structures of MRI Contrast Agents in Solution. 221 25-60... 

The interest in hyperbranched polymers arises from the fact that they combine some features of dendrimers, for example, an increasing number of end groups and a compact structure in solution, with the ease of preparation of hn-ear polymers by means of a one-pot reaction. However, the polydispersities are usually high and their structures are less regular than those of dendrimers. Another important advantage is the extension of the concept of hyperbranched polymers towards vinyl monomers and chain growth processes, which opens unexpected possibilities. 

A way to narrow the MWD and to approach the structure of dendrimers is the addition of a small fraction of a/-functional initiator, to inimers [40,71]. In this process the obtainable degree of polymerization is limited by the ratio of inimer to initiator. It can be conducted in two ways (i) inimer molecules can be added so slowly to the initiator solution that they can only react with the initiator molecules or with the already formed macromolecules, but not with each other (semi-batch process). Thus, each macromolecule generated in such a process will contain one initiator core but no vinyl group. Then, the polydispersity index is quite low and decreases with / M /Mn l-i-l//. (ii) Alternatively, initiator and monomer molecules can be mixed instantaneously (batch process). Here, the normal SCVP process and the process shown above compete and both kinds of macromolecules will be formed. For this process the polydispersity index also decreases with/,but is higher than for the semi-batch process, M /Mn=Pn//. ... 

A poly(L-lysine) dendrimer 23 which carries 16 free-base porphyrins in one hemisphere and 16 Zn porphyrins in the other has been synthesized and studied in dimethylformamide solution [54]. In such a dendrimer, energy transfer from the Zn porphyrins to the free-base units can occur with 43% efficiency. When the 32 free base and zinc porphyrins were placed in a scrambled fashion, the efficiency of energy transfer was estimated to be 83% [55]. Very efficient (98%) energy transfer from Zn to free-base porphyrins was also observed in a rigid, snowflake-shaped structure in which three Zn porphyrin units alternate with three free-base porphyrin units [56]. 

Two dendrimers based on Fe-porphyrin core carrying peptide-like branches of different sizes have been synthesized in order to have more open and a more densely packed (23) structures [43]. The electrochemical behavior has been examined in CH2C12 and in aqueous solution. In the less polar solvent, the two dendrimers show similar potentials for the Fem/Fen couple, suggesting that the iron porphyrins in both the more open and the more densely packed dendrimers experience similar microenvironments. On the contrary, in water the behavior of the two dendrimers is very different since the reduction from Fem to Fe11 is much easier for the densely packed dendrimer. This result can be explained considering that in the dendrimer with the relatively open structure the aqueous solvation of the iron porphyrin is still possible, whereas in the densely packed one the contact between the heme and the external solvent is signifi-... 

Balczewski P, see Mikoloajczyk M (2003) 223 161-214 Ballauff M (2001) Structure of Dendrimers in Dilute Solution. 212 177-194 Baltzer L (1999) Functionalization and Properties of Designed Folded Polypeptides. 202 39-76... 

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