Dendrimers based on photoactive metal complexes. Recent advances

Recent advances in the field of photoactive dendrimers containing metal com plexes are reviewed. Dendrimers with [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) as a core exhibit the characteristic [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) - type luminescence that can be (i) protec ted from external quenchers by the dendrimer branches and (ii) sensitized b y chromophoric groups contained in the periphery of the dendrimer (antenna effect). Several examples of dendrimers fully based on transition metal com plexes (i.e., containing a metal at each branching point of the dendrimer s tructure) have been investigated with the purpose of light harvesting. Dend rimers containing one or more free base and metal porphyrin units have been investigated for light harvesting and for a variety of other purposes. Scattered examples of other types of photoactive dendrimers are also review ed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.