Dendrimers and dendrons functionalized with perfluoroalkyl chains and their properties

Abstract

Dendrimers and dendrons are hyperbranched macromolecules, also named molecular trees. This review displays dendrimers and dendrons functionalized with perfluoroalkyl chains, and their properties. Many of these compounds are able to self-assemble, affording in most cases liquid crystalline mesophases. A few of these compounds have catalytic properties, while others were used for covering the surface of materials and changing their properties. Some dendrons form micelles or vesicles suitable for encapsulating and releasing different types of dyes and drugs. Some fluorinated dendrimers were also used for efficient gene transfection, in particular with cancer cells, and also for imaging by 19F MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This review is organized to display first the properties of fluorinated dendrimers, then those of fluorinated dendrons, and is secondly organized by type of dendrimers (PAMAM, PPI, CSi (carbosilane), PPH (polyphosphorhydrazone), poly glycerol, Janus dendrimers, etc.).