Synthesis and characterisation of silanol-functionalised dendrimers†

Abstract

A number of carbosilane dendrimers derivatised on their external surface by silanol groups have been synthesized and characterised. The new molecules are prepared by repetitive hydrosilation/alkenylation reactions, and then careful hydrolysis of Si–Cl groups in one of two ways produces dendrimers with external Si–OH groups. Various molecules with three, four and eight vinyl groups were used as the starting molecules to produce dendrimers of different sizes. The first-generation dendrimer based on a tetravinylsilane core has been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction.