title: Tuning polarity of polyphenylene dendrimers by patched surface amphiphilicity--precise control over size, shape, and polarity.
abstract: In the ideal case, a precise synthesis yields molecules with a constitutional as well as a conformational perfectness. Such a case of precision is demonstrated by the synthesis of semi-rigid amphiphilic polyphenylene dendrimers (PPDs). Polar sulfonate groups are precisely placed on their periphery in such a manner that patches of polar and non-polar regions are created. Key structural features are the semi-rigid framework and shape-persistent nature of PPDs since the limited flexibility introduces a nano-phase-separated amphiphilic rim of the dendrimer. This results in both attractive and repulsive interactions with a given solvent. Frustrated solvent structures then lead to a remarkable solubility in solvents of different polarity such as toluene, methanol, and water or their mixtures. Water solubility combined with defined surface structuring and variable hydrophobicity of PPDs that resemble the delicate surface textures of proteins are important prerequisites for their biological and medical applications based upon cellular internalization.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stangenberg
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Institute for Organic Chemistry III/Macromolecular Chemistry, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Seah Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baumgarten
authors.affiliation: University of Ulm, Institute for Organic Chemistry III/Macromolecular Chemistry, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klapper
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Müllen
mesh_terms: D050091:Dendrimers / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D050091:Dendrimers; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C041325:polyphenylene sulfide
keywords: Diels-Alder polymers; amphiphiles; biomimetic; dendrimers; solution properties