Dendrons on insoluble supports: synthesis and applications

The range of composite materials, integrating insoluble organic or inorganic solids and fragments based on dendritic architecture, has been expanded considerably during the last decade. Though the dendritic parts of these hybrids often constitute only a minor portion of the total volume, these components can dramatically alter the properties of the support, imparting new features and functions on the materials. In most cases, organic or metalloorganic dendrons are tethered through their focal point to silica, polystyrene, or other insoluble support, and the formed hybrid materials are used as synthetic intermediates, high-loading supports for solid-phase synthesis, heterogeneous catalysts, and stationary phases in separation processes. This perspective surveys the different types of such materials, both from the synthetic and applicative points of view.