Phosphorus‐Containing Dendrons: Synthesis, Reactivity, Properties, and Use as Building Blocks for Various Dendritic Architectures

Dendrons, also called dendritic wedges, are a special variety of dendrimers possessing one or two functional groups at the core, in addition to the numerous functional end groups. This review is focused on phosphorus‐containing dendrons, which are dendrons built with one phosphorus atom at each branching point. Their synthesis, reactivity and properties are described, with emphasis on their use as building blocks for the elaboration of very complex and original dendritic architectures. Electrochemical and catalytic properties, as well as examples in the field of materials are also given. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)