Carbosilane dendrimers - Synthesis, functionalization, application

This micro-review summarizes historical and recent developments in synthesi s, functionalization, and characterization of carbosilane dendrimers. These compounds are the most important among the heteroatom-based dendrimers at present due to the flexibility of the synthetic route and to their chemical stability which allows versatile further functionalization. Synthesis as w ell as application potential of carbosilane dendrimers for catalysis, host- guest chemistry, liquid crystals, and novel polymer topologies is discussed .