Applying key concepts from nature: Transition state stabilization, pre-concentration and cooperativity effects in dendritic biomimetics

Since the early days of dendrimers, their role as synthetic macromolecular catalysts has been of great interest. The attraction towards these materials is attributed in part to their hierarchical, organized architecture and globular shape. In addition, dendrimers are unique amongst synthetic macromolecules for their structural precision and the high-level of control over both functional group placement within their structure and the chemical character of the nanoenvironment they create both in their interior and at their surface. The opportunities presented by these unusual functional macromolecules have led to many studies into their use in catalytic applications, especially as synthetic enzyme mimics. Recent examples of dendrimers employing transition state stabilization, molecular pre-concentration and cooperativity between branches or surface groups to achieve enhanced reactivity will be covered in this review.