9412292 Hanson Dendritic polymers (dendrimers) are a remarkable new class of polymers with highly branched structure. This research deals with the synthesis and characterization of dendrimers with spectroscopic probes covalently built in to the structure. The spectroscopic studies will provide insight into the polarity of the probe's microenvironment at strategic locations within the dendramers, the motion of the polymers in solution, the mobility of branches at various distances from the molecular core, the acces of small molecules to the dendrimers' interior, and the effective radius of the dendritic molecules. The experiments will test the existing theories of dendrimer structure and will allow formulation of more accurate models for predicting both structure and dynamics. Such an understanding should enhance the prospects for pratical applications of dendritic polymers.
