Water-soluble phosphorus-containing dendrimers

In most cases, the water solubility of phosphorus-containing dendrimers is mainly due to the presence of hydrophilic end groups, which bear either positive or negative charges. In the first part of this paper, several methods of synthesis and functionalization of phosphorus dendrimers are described leading to the grafting either of ammonium groups or carboxylate groups, which ensure the water-solubility. The structural conflict between the hydrophobic interior and the hydrophilic exterior of these dendrimers leads to special properties, which are emphasized in a second part. For instance, some of them behave like nanometric sponges toward lipophilic substances; whereas, others form supramolecular arrangements leading to vesicles or hydrogels. Some of these dendrimers also possess interesting biological properties and can be used as in vitro DNA transfecting agents or in vivo anti-prion agents.