Dendrimers as reactive modules for the synthesis of new structure-controlled, higher-complexity megamers

Dendrimers are macromolecular, nanoscale objects that are widely recognized as precise, mathematically defined, covalent core-shell assemblies. As suc h, they are composed of quantized numbers of atoms, monomers, and terminal functional groups relative to the respective shell levels (generations) sur rounding their cores. Dendrimers have been referred to as molecular-level a nalogs of atoms. This perspective arises from their potential to function a s precise macromolecular tectons (modules), suitable for the synthesis of s tructure-controlled complexity beyond dendrimers. We have termed this major new class of generic structures "megamers". Our group has now synthesized such "megamer complexity" in the form of both covalent and supra-macromolec ular dendri-catenanes. dendri-macrocycles. dendri-clefts, and dendri-cluste rs, The covalent dendri-cluster subset of megamers has been coined "core-sh ell tecto(dendrimers)". New mathematically defined. covalent bonding rules for tecto(dendrimer) formation are consistent with sterically induced stoic hiometry (SIS) predictions and have been verified experimentally.