Synthesis and catalytic activity of unimolecular dendritic reverse micelles

Unimolecular reverse micelles were synthesized by the convergent growth approach. The static structure consists of a non-polar external layer surrounding a polar core containing numerous polar functional groups, which may participate in a variety of catalytic organic reactions. The catalytic activity of dendrimers having internal hydroxy and ester functional groups for bimolecular nucleophilic substitutions and elimination reactions of alkyl halides was demonstrated, showing high turnover numbers. The dendrimers can be recycled with no loss of activity. The reaction rate and selectivity are affected by the size of the dendrimer, as well as by the functional groups present in the core of the catalyst.