Dendrimers and dendrons functionalized with perfluoroalkyl chains and their properties

Abstract

Dendrimers and dendrons are hyperbranched macromolecules, also named molecular trees. This review discusses 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 discuss first the properties of fluorinated dendrimers, followed by those of fluorinated dendrons, and secondly organized to discuss the types of dendrimers (PAMAM, PPI, CSi (carbosilane), PPH (polyphosphorhydrazone), poly glycerol, Janus dendrimers, etc.).