Termed dendrons

Another type of architecture featuring a linear main chain surrounded by dendritic side-chains has emerged over the last decade [4], The highly descriptive term dendronized , coined by Schliiter [4] aptly describes this novel type of macromolecular architecture. Though three separate routes can be used to prepare such dendronized hybrids (Figure 7.8), the most successful approach to date has generally involved the polymerization of dendronized monomers. 

Friedhofen and Vogtle have recently outlined a detailed nomenclature for dendrimers which is discussed in the Section Key Reference. In brief, a dendrimer is defined as comprising a series of self-resembling units, termed dendrons, linked by a common core. The dendrons are referred to as cascadyl-substituents or, if there is more than one identical dendron, the molecule is termed a cascadane. 

Dendrons and dendrimers are the most intensely investigated subset of dendritic polymers. In the past decade over 2000 literature references have appeared on this unique class of structure controlled polymers. The term dendrimer was coined by Tomalia, et al. over 15 years ago in the first reports on poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers [75, 76]. It is derived from the Greek words dendri-(branch tree-like) and meros - part of). Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers constitute the first dendrimer family to be commercialized and undoubtedly represent the most extensively characterized and best understood series at this time. In view of the extensive literature information in this area, much of the remaining overview will focus on PAMAM dendrimers and will... 

In the beginning, the term dendrimer , which was established by Tomalia in 1985 [42,43], described all types of dendritic polymers. Later a distinction based on the relative degree of structural control present in the architecture was drawn. Nowadays, many other types of dendritic architectures are known, even if most of them, however, have not yet been widely investigated and fully characterized. The term dendritic polymer involves four substructures (Fig. 2), namely dendrimers themselves, dendrons, random hyperbranched polymers, and dendrigraft polymers [44, 45],... 

The long-term goal is to be able to tune the properties of the functional core unit to the technical requirements of specific applications by attachment of appropriate dendrons. Numerous publications devoted to the elucidation of these interrelationships are bringing the day when this goal will be realised closer and closer, in spite of the many factors which still have to be considered. 

Summary The analysis of supramolecular structures containing polymers, and the discussion about the effect of polymeric materials with different chemical structures that form inclusion complexes is extensively studied. The effect of the inclusion complexes at the air-water interface is discussed in terms on the nature of the interaction. The entropic or enthalpic nature of the interaction is analyzed. The description of these inclusion complexes with different cyclodextrines with several polymers is an interesting way to understand some non-covalent interaction in these systems. The discussion about the generation and effect of supramolecular structures on molecular assembly and auto-organization processes is also presented in a single form. The use of block copolymers and dendronized polymers at interfaces is a new aspect to be taken into account from both basic and technological interest. The effect of the chemical structure on the self-assembled systems is discussed. 

The chapter starts with the synthesis aspects of dendronized polymer research, with details of the three synthetic pathways, assisted by reported examples that help to distinguish the difierent synthetic strategies in terms of their efficiency and fidehty towards generating dendronized polymers of respectable thickness and length. The responsivity of the dendronized polymers - which is an important feature of this unique class of polymers, and may lead to some interesting apphca-tions - is then discussed, followed by details of the single-molecule chemistry and use of dendronized polymers as building blocks for nanoconstruction purposes. 

---