The introduction of asymmetry into alkyl-decorated Frechet-type dendrons

A strategy for the introduction of asymmetry into Frechet-type dendrons bearing n-alkyl chains is described. Starting from a methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate core, 3,5-bis(octyloxyphenyl)methoxy and 3,5-bis(alkoxyphenyl)methoxy units are introduced in a stepwise manner. The method is illustrated by the syntheses of four representative compounds having mixed n-octyl/n-butyl, n-octyl/n-hexyl, n-octyl/n-heptyl and n-octyl/n-dodecyl substituents. The new compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).