The superstructure of carbosilane dendrimers with perfluorinated end groups in bulk and in solution

Carbosilane dendrimers of generation 1 to 4 are functionalized with perfluorinated (-C₆F₁₃) end groups. Extending the spacer between the central Si and the first layer of branching points allows the synthesis of the 4^th generation. The superstructure of these systems in bulk observed with X-ray scattering is the result of the microphase separation between the carbosilane scaffold and the end groups. It varies with generation from a layered to a columnar structure. In dilute solution only the second generation dendrimer shows a tendency for aggregation. The others form compact particles consisting of single molecules with a core shell structure.