Abstract: | Two types of dendrimers with a 1,3,5‐triazine ring at the branch point were synthesized by divergent and convergent methods. The divergent method began with 2,4,6‐tris(p‐nitroanilino)‐1,3,5‐triazine as a trifunctional core. Each cycle involved the reduction of the peripheral NO2 group followed by a reaction with 2‐chloro‐4,6‐bis(p‐nitroanilino)‐1,3,5‐triazine. The synthetic cycle was completed by the coupling with 2,4‐dianilino‐6‐chloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (DACT) to eventually accomplish second‐generation dendrimers (G2]3‐C) bearing 12 benzene rings at their edge. The convergent approach started with the reaction of DACT with p‐nitrophenol to give rise to 2,4‐dianilino‐6‐(p‐nitrophenoxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine. The synthetic cycle consisted of reduction of the NO2 group and coupling with 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐(p‐nitrophenoxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine. The final step was the connection of each monodendron with cyanuric chloride to produce tridendron; in this way, the second‐generation dendrimer (EG2]3‐C) was obtained. Gel permeation chromatography analyses indicated the aggregation of dendrimers in solution. Ultraviolet spectroscopic analyses revealed that the larger dendrimer had a more conjugated electron system from the core to the periphery. The thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); excellent heat resistance was indicated, especially in G1]3‐C, which included alternately imine‐like nitrogen‐linked 1,3,5‐triazine and benzene rings. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4385–4395, 2000 |