Synthesis, electrochemistry, and interactions with β-cyclodextrin of dendrimers containing a single ferrocene subunit located 'off-center'

Two series of dendrimers containing a single ferrocene unit located in the focal point of these macromolecules have been synthesized and characterized. The first series of dendrimers has considerable lipophilic character, with tert-butyl ester groups located in their peripheral regions. In contrast, the second series of dendrimers was obtained by the hydrolysis of these peripheral ester groups, yielding water-soluble dendrimers with carboxylic acid groups in their surfaces. The electrochemical properties of these macromolecules were strongly affected by the dendritic groups attached to the ferrocene subunits. Host-guest interactions between the water-soluble dendrimers and the well-known receptor β-cyclodextrin were also investigated. The dendritic groups were found to hamper markedly the formation of inclusion complexes between the cyclodextrin receptor and the dendrimer's ferrocene unit.