Polar domains on globular macromolecules: Shape-persistent, amphiphilic tridendrons

A series of asymmetric phenylacetylene tridendrons is prepared by coupling polar monodendrons having t-butyl esters on their periphery with a non-polar monodendron having t-butyl groups on its periphery. Subsequent conversion of the t-butyl esters to carboxylic acids by thermolysis gives amphiphilic dendrimers having polar domains of various size. The characterization and solution phase behavior of these structures is discussed.