Synthesis and encapsulation properties of dendronized polymer with Fréchet‐type dendrons peripherally decorated by carboxylic acid functionalization

A new carboxylic acid‐terminated dendronized polymer (denpol), constructed with linear chain attaching Fréchet‐type dendrons at each repeat unit, has been designed and synthesized through a combination of macromonomer route and hydrolysis reaction. The resulting denpol exhibits excellent solubility in aqueous solution for pH ≥ 6, and significantly the denpol also encapsulates various aromatic molecules efficiently. The results of UV–vis and fluorescence spectra indicate that hydrophobic and π‐π interactions bring into effect between the water‐insoluble organic molecules and the denpol. Moreover, the photoisomerization of azobenzene solubilized in denpol aqueous solution was investigated, which indicated that trans‐to‐cis and cis‐to‐trans conversions were first‐order reactions. The enhancement of photoisomerization property may attribute to the proper microenvironment in the denpol. Therefore, the denpol is expected to be a potential candidate as amphiphilic unimolecular container. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4564–4574, 2008