Catalysis Inside Dendrimers

Modern methods that involve intradendritic catalysis are introduced in this feature article. Supramolecular principles, therefore, derive from the concept of the unimolecular dendritic micelle introduced by Newkome. When the micellar effect is combined with intradendritic ligand acceleration, copper(I) catalysts or palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) are required at the ppm level for efficient reactions. Applications range from organic catalysis to catalysis by metal complexes of intradendritic ligands and dendrimer-stabilized nanoparticles (NPs) that are located at the dendrimer core or between the dendrimer tethers. Bimetallic nanoparticle-cored dendrimers including superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are especially promising due to very facile magnetic separation. 1Introduction 2Supramolecular and Organic Catalysis inside Dendrimers 3Micellar Dendritic Catalysis: Olefin Metathesis and Click Reactions 3.1Olefin Metathesis 3.2Click Chemistry 4Combined Micellar Dendritic Effect and Intradendritic Ligand Acceleration 5Efficient Click Catalysis at the Dendrimer Core 6Dendrimer-Encapsulated and Dendrimer-Stabilized Nanoparticle Catalysts 7Catalysis by Nanoparticle-Cored Dendrimers 8Concluding Remarks