Two new pentaerythritol-functionalised 2,2': 6',2 ''-terpyridine (tpy)
derivatives have been prepared. One contains four tpy metal-binding d
omains, whereas the other contains one tpy domain and three pendant CH
2OH groups. The combination of these components with ruthenium-contain
ing building blocks has allowed the specific and stepwise synthesis of
tetranuclear and hexadecanuclear metallodendrimers.