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PAMAM Dendrimers

PAMAM dendrimers represent an exciting new class of macromolecular architecture called "dense star" polymers. Unlike classical polymers, dendrimers have a high degree of molecular uniformity, narrow molecular weight distribution, specific size and shape characteristics, and a highly- functionalized terminal surface. The manufacturing process is a series of repetitive steps starting with a central initiator core. Each subsequent growth step represents a new "generation" of polymer with a larger molecular diameter, twice the number of reactive surface sites, and approximately double the molecular weight of the preceding generation.

A Generation 2 PAMAM Dendrimer

Generation 2 PAMAM Dendrimer

The term "dendrimer" was derived from its tree-like branching structure.

The table below shows the calculated properties of amine surface functional PAMAM dendrimers by generation.

Generation

Molecular Weight

Measured Diameter (Å)

Surface Groups

0

517

15

4

1

1,430

22

8

2

3,256

29

16

3

6,909

36

32

4

14,215

45

64

5

28,826

54

128

6

58,048

67

256

7

116,493

81

512

8

233,383

 97

 1024

9

467,162

 114

 2048

10

934,720

 135

 4096


*Theoretical Properties, not to be used as specifications.

Click on the image below to see the step-growth
reaction of EDA to Generation 5 PAMAM Dendrimer

A Generation 4 Dendrimer