Self-assembly of dendrimers

Control of self-assembly by switchable redox processes in complexes between dendrimers with re-donor and re-acceptor units permitted specific prediction of the space occupied by dendritic aggregates. Use of cucurbit[8]uril (see Fig. 6.9) as donor-host compound for viologen guests (dendronised 4,4 -bipyridines as acceptors) promotes formation of such charge-transfer complexes [24]. 

Inclusion of guest species in dendritic host molecules 6.2.3.1 Dendrimers with multiple receptor units 

The periphery of dendrimers is predestined for attachment of numerous receptor units. In principle, this is also possible in the core or in the branching units 

One of the best known receptor units is that introduced by Hamilton et al. 

This proven host system was transferred to dendrimers by functionalising the periphery of POPAM dendrimers with the acyclic Hamilton variant (Fig. 6.13). After monofunctionalisation with an amino group on the isophthaloyl system, it could be multiply covalently bonded to the dendrimer. In this way, up to fourth-generation POPAM dendrimers could be peripherally embellished with barbiturate receptors. The mode of action of the individual dendrimers as multivalent 

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In addition to simple small-molecule and polymeric self-assembly of small molecules onto polymers, macromolecules themselves are capable of undergoing selforganization to form higher ordered materials. There are several occasions on which this type of organization has been employed, ranging from the variations in polymer morphology that occur upon changes in composition [113-116] to self-assembly of dendrimers onto functionalized surfaces [117-121]. 

Zeng et studied the self-assembly of dendrimers based on tetraacid systems. Eight scattering allowed them to determine the molecular weight of the dendrimers, with results that compared well with other methods, including size exclusion chromatography, mass spectrometry, cmd vapor pressure osmometry. 

Grimm F, Hartnagel K, Wessendorf F, Hirsch A (2009) Supramolecular self-assembly of dendrimers containing orthogonal binding motifs. Chem Commun 2009(11) 1331-1333... 

Supramolecular self-assembly of dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers... 

The self-assembly of dendrimers in two-dimensions has been studied at both the air-water interface (i.e., Langmuir-Blodgett [LB] films) as well as at the air-bulk solid interface (i.e., self-assembled monolayers [i.e., SAM films]). 

However, virtually no reports have appeared concerning the self-assembly of dendrimers by noncovalent electrostatic methods until recently. Aida et al. [191] have reported the electrostatically directed assembly of prophyrin core dendrimers to produce large infinite aggregates as illustrated in Fig. 38. Energy transfer constants were obtained and used to determine distances between acceptors and donors as it was demonstrated that communication occurred between those domains. 

Self-Assembly of Dendrimers into Complex Architectures. 99... 

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