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.

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