Conformationally constrained compounds as dendrimer cores

Abstract

There are provided novel chemical compounds and their uses in the preparation of polymers and oligomers, and the preparation of such compounds. In certain embodiments there are provided dendritic polymers and oligomers, of a type having at least four polymeric or oligomeric organic chains emanating from a single chemical core, each of the chains being of substantially equal length and substantially the same chemical composition. Such compounds may be referred to as dendrimers. Also provided are novel chemical entities useful as core entities in the preparation of dentrimers. Dendrimers can recognize a core substructure to which the polymeric/oligomeric chains (“dendrons”) are covalenty attached and from which they extend with systematic branching radially outward in a three dimensional fashion, to approximately the same extent to each other. Together, core and dendrons constitute macromolecules possessing a high degree of internal structural replication attributable to the branches.