Dendrimers with Alternating Amine and Ether Generations

Dendrimers having alternating aryl benzyl ether and tertiary amine generations and up to 16 bis(2-methoxyethyl)amine end groups and four internal tertiary amines were synthesized by sequential etherification, amidation of secondary amines, and LiAlH 4 reduction to tertiary amines. The bis(2-methoxyethyl)amine dendrimers are soluble in common organic solvents and in aqueous buffer solutions at pH < 4.7. At 2.8 mM, the dendrimer increases the solubility of pyrene in water 30-fold, and the solvated pyrene is not aggregated.