Dendrimers

The unique properties associated with these dendrimers such as uniform size, high degree of branching, water solubility, multivalency, well-defined molecular weight and available internal cavities make them attractive for biological and drug-delivery applications. Commercialization of dendrimers is now forthcoming. A new dendrimeric ligand (L) was synthesized by the Michael addition of ethylenediamine to methyl methacrylate. The prepared ligand was complexed Cu (II) ions, the ligand and its complex were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies (FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR and ESI-MS). Square pyramidal geometry was proposed for copper complexes, on the basis of UV-Vis spectroscopic data and molar conductance measurements. The dendrimer metal complex is active towards the oxidation of alcoholic substrates using molecular oxygen as substrate. The effect of various parameters on the rate of reaction is also explained.

This review gives concise information about physico-chemical properties, synthetic strategies, characterization and possible application of Dendrimers in drug delivery. Dendrimers also known as arborols. They are radially symmetric molecules having nano size with well-defined, homogeneous and monodisperse structure consisting of tree-like arms or branches. Due to their unique architecture these have improved physical and chemical properties. They are having terminal groups, due to which these show high solubility, miscibility and reactivity. The major applications of Dendrimers are: Gene and oligonucleotide delivery, Targeting of anticancer chemotherapy. Their compatibility with DNA, heparin and polyanions make them more versatile.