The Effect of Macromolecular Architecture in Nanomaterials:  A Comparison of Site Isolation in Porphyrin Core Dendrimers and Their Isomeric Linear Analogues

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society 2002-04, Vol.124 (15), p.3926-3938
• Main Authors: Harth, Eva M, Hecht, Stefan, Helms, Brett, Malmstrom, Eva E, Fréchet, Jean M. J, Hawker, Craig J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; binding; block-copolymers; Chemistry; convergent approach; dendritic macromolecules; Exact sciences and technology; hyperbranched polymers; Kemi; metalloporphyrins; micelles; molecules; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; proton-transfer polymerization; star polymers; Structure, morphology and analysis
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja025536u

The influence of macromolecular architecture on the physical properties of polymeric materials has been studied by comparing poly(benzyl ether) dendrons with their exact linear analogues. The results clearly confirm the anticipation that dendrimers are unique when compared to other architectures. Physical properties, from hydrodynamic volume to crystallinity, were shown to be different, and in a comparative study of core encapsulation in macromolecules of different architecture, energy transduction from the polymer backbone to a porphyrin core was shown to be different for dendrimers as compared to that of isomeric four- or eight-arm star polymers. Fluorescence excitation revealed strong, morphology dependent intramolecular energy transfer in the three macromolecular isomers investigated. Even at high generations, the dendrimers exhibited the most efficient energy transfer, thereby indicating that the dendritic architecture affords superior site isolation to the central porphyrin it surrounds.