Fullerene-Rich Dendrimers

Hahn U, Cardinal F, Nierengarten J-F. Supramolecular chemistry for the self-assembly of fullerene-rich dendrimers. New J Chem 2007 31 1128-1138. 

Nierengarten et al. have reported many examples of fullerene-rich dendrimers, obtained by either covalent linking or self-assembly of proper units.72,73 A very interesting example is represented by a family of fullerodendrimers from the first to the third generation, containing a hexaphenylbenzene core and 6, 12, and 24 C60 units (compound 26 in Fig. 6.19) at the periphery, respectively.74... 

Another example of fullerene-rich dendrimers consist of a Cu(I) bis-phenanthro-line complex as core, linked to four dendrons, each one containing 1,2 (compound 28 in Fig. 6.22), or 4 fullerene moieties appended at the periphery.77... 

Top. Curr. Chem. (Volume Eds. C. A. Schalley, F. Vogtle), 1998, 228, 87-110 cf. also J. Iehl, R. P. de Freitas, B. Dela-vaux-Nicot, J.-F. Nierengarten,/. Chem. Soc., Chem. Comm. 2008, 2450-2452 for photophysical properties of fullerene-rich dendrimers see U. Hahn, J.-F. Nierengarten, F. Vogtle, A. Listorti, F. Monti,... 

Scheme 10.8 Anion exchange reaction of [41]Brg with Na[42] leading to the fullerene-rich dendrimer [41][42]g.

All the fullerene-containing dendrimers reported to date have been prepared with a Cgo core but never with fullerene units at their surface or with Cgg spheres in the dendritic branches. We have recently started a research program on the synthesis of dendrons substituted with fullerene moieties. These fulleroden-drons are interesting building blocks for the preparation of monodisperse fullerene-rich macromolecules. In addition, they are also amphiphilic compounds capable of forming stable Langmuir films at the air-water interface. 

Carbon-rich molecules such as alkynylated ir-systems are among those molecules that attract significant attention. These molecules are related to dendrimers, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes. They can be used as precursors to novel aromatic systems, molecular wires, or NLO active materials. 

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