Dendritic host molecules with a polycationic core and an outer Shell of dodecyl groups

The synthesis of a topologically new type of dendrimer is presented in which a permanently positively charged core is decorated with a shell that is apolar and aliphatic in nature. The novel polyionic dendrimers were successfully applied as hosts for a predefined number of anionic guests, as is shown for the dye methyl orange. The aliphatic periphery of the dendrimers efficiently shields the ion pairs and renders the dendrimers fully soluble in organic solvents that are as apolar as hexane and, furthermore, provides them with an interesting phase behavior that appears not to be sensitive to the type of anion associated with it.