Fluorescent Groups at the Core of Phosphorus Dendrons and Their Properties

This review presents the synthesis of dendrons (dendritic wedges) based on cyclotriphosphazene cores, in which one function is a fluorescent group, and the five remaining functions are used for growing the dendritic branches. The growing of the branches is carried out by a divergent method, using a two-step process which implies hydroxybenzaldehyde and the phosphorhydrazide H₂NNMeP(S)Cl₂. Four different fluorophores have been used, derived from maleimide, julolidine, pyrene, or from a near-infra-red fluorophore. Depending on the type of fluorophore and on the type of terminal functions of the dendrons, different applications have been targeted. One can cite experiments in catalysis or for the elaboration of materials, transfection experiments, the study of anti-cancer properties, and imaging in relation with the human immune system.