Synthesis and characterisation of silanol-functionalised dendrimers

A number of carbosilane dendrimers derivatised on their external surface by silanol groups have been synthesized and characterised. The new molecules are prepared by repetitive hydrosilation/alkenylation reactions, and then c areful hydrolysis of Si-Cl groups in one of two ways produces dendrimers wi th external Si-OH groups. Various molecules with three, four and eight viny l groups were used as the starting molecules to produce dendrimers of diffe rent sizes. The first-generation dendrimer based on a tetravinylsilane core has been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction.