Definition of Terms and Nomenclature

Abstract

Basic terms and nomenclature of dendrimers are discussed. Till now, there is not one simple, unambiguous, generally applicable and worldwide acceptable dendrimer nomenclature, like IUPAC-IUB rules, which must be respected in every journal. This chapter explains basic terms of dendrimeric field: dendriplexes, dendrisomes, dendrigraft, glycotope, glycocluster, glycocluster–cluster, cluster effect, multivalency, cluster glycoside effect, glycoside cluster effect, multivalent effect, multivalent glycotope and clustering effect. The most common term is cluster effect and therefore we will use it in this book. Another discussed terms are macromolecular effect, sugar ball, and “smart” glycodendrimers. Many terms, e.g. glycotope, sugar epitope, carbohydrate epitope, glycopeptide epitope, polyvalent glycotope, glycocluster, glycodomain, etc. more or less coincide. We will use the term glycotope.