Dendrimers

Abstract Dendrimers have globular and well‐controlled structures, and they are produced by organic synthesis. There are two types of synthetic pathway: divergent methods and convergent methods. Dendrimers are composed of a core, building units, and terminal groups. Many kinds of dendrimers can be obtained by choosing suitable components and modifying and encapsulating compounds. Dendrimers are several nanometers in size, that is, similar in size to proteins, and the size depends on the generation. Their physicochemical properties are very different from those of linear polymers. Low‐generation dendrimers generally have flexible and open structures, but high‐generation dendrimers have rigid spherical structures. The clustering effect at the periphery of a dendrimer and isolation in the dendrimer are unique properties. The uniform structures of dendrimers contribute to their reproducibility. They have been studied for various kinds of applications. They have been used as drug and gene carriers, diagnostic agents, drugs, and in catalysis. Their anisotropic structures enable the design of self‐immolative dendrimers, light‐harvesting dendrimers, and hierarchical dendrimers. The uniform core–shell structure of a dendrimer resembles an atomic shell, and the nanoelement concept was proposed by Tomalia, one of the pioneers of dendrimer research. This study describes both general and particular aspects of dendrimers such as polyamidoamine, polypropyleneimine, poly(aryl ether), polylysine, and polyester dendrimers.