Rotaxane Dendrimers

Abstract

The synthesis, properties, and potential applications of rotaxane dendrimers, dendritic molecules containing rotaxane-like mechanical bonds to link their components are described. Rotaxane dendrimers are classified into three types depending on where rotaxane-like features are introduced - Type I, II, and III rotaxane dendrimers which incorporate rotaxane-like features at the core, termini, and branches, respectively. Several different types of macrocycles are employed as the ring component in the templated synthesis of rotaxane dendrimers. In the synthesis of rotaxane dendrimers, several aspects should be carefully considered, including the binding affinity of the macrocycle (ring) and guest (rod). The properties of these rotaxane dendrimers are quite different from those of the individual rotaxanes or dendrimers and often a blend of both. Potential applications of rotaxane dendrimers include molecular nanoreactors, drug delivery, and gene delivery.

An Erratum for this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/b11015