Functionalization of phenylazomethine dendrimers

Phenylazomethine dendrimers have metal coordination sites whose base strength gradually increases toward the inner positions due to the potential gradient. This feature enables the stepwise assembly of Lewis acidic molecules and metal salts in the dendrimers. In this review, we focus on functionalities for luminous materials, sensors, and subnanosize reactors based on the structural and electronic nature of the phenylazomethine dendrimer. Integration of the photoluminescent units in a dendrimer is achieved using bismuth salts. A detailed description of the performance of a subnanosized reactor with a reducing capsule method, which is useful for synthesizing ultrasmall metal particles, is provided. The atomicity-controlled assembly feature facilitates the solution-phase synthesis of superatoms that mimic the properties of elemental atoms.