Carbosilane Dendrimers: Unique Models for Studying the Properties of New Polymeric Matter

Abstract

The emergence of a new type of organization of polymeric matter, namely, dendrimers has led to a change in concepts about the macromolecular world. High and strictly defined functionality, monodispersity, and the cascade principle of molecular structure formation made these systems unique objects, the interest in which has not faded to date. Carbosilane dendrimers are of particular importance owing to the stability and inertness of their molecular backbone, high reactivity of functional groups at the silicon atom, and also the possibility of providing good analytical control over the forming structure. A wide variety of synthetic approaches to the modification of terminal groups allows for considering them as hybrid systems for the elucidation of structure–property relationships. Based on the results of the analysis of a large number of variations of the main strategies for the synthesis of dendrimers, this review highlights the importance of studying the relationships between structure and properties using representative homologous series of new objects as a fundamental basis for exploring the dendritic form of polymeric matter.