Supramolecular Chemistry within Dendritic Structures

Abstract

This chapter describes reports on supramolecular interactions, i.e., molecular recognition, between dendritic hosts and guest molecules, and non-covalent self assembly of branched monomers. The emphases are associated with the chemistry within dendrimers rather than on the periphery. A brief introduction to the field of supramolecular chemistry is accompanied by a short overview of dendrimers as well as a brief analysis of the syntheses of these macromolecules. Initially, accounts of random molecular inclusion or preliminary non-specific, hydrophilic/hydrophobic-based binding interactions between small guests and dendritic molecules are described, followed by examples of physical encapsulation of guest(s) molecules and their shape selective release. Molecular recognition processes via site-specific interactions including H-bonding host-guest complexations are discussed. Reports dealing with electro- and photo-active dendrimers will be considered. The self-assembly processes involving dendrimers or dendritic building-blocks assisted by forces such as those associated with hydrophilic and lipophilic behavior of amphiphilic species, π-π interactions, and liquid crystalline behavior are reviewed. This is supplemented by a section based on self-assembly processes of dendrons, mediated by intermolecular H-bonding, and mono- and multi-layer aggregation processes of dendritic structures. Lastly the construction and supramolecular chemistry of metallo-dendrimers are considered.