Lego chemistry for the straightforward synthesis of dendrimers

A new straightforward method of synthesis of dendrimers, using two branched monomers (CA(2) and DB2), is described. Each generation is obtained in a single quantitative step, with only N-2 or H2O as byproducts; generation 4 is obtained in only four steps. The end groups are alternatively phosphines and hydrazines; their versatile reactivity is illustrated by the reaction of generation 4 with a branched CD5 monomer, which increases the number of end groups in a single step from 48 to 250.