Dendrimer design using Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide "click-chemistry".

The chemoselective [3+2] cycloaddition of an azide on to an alkyne, catalyzed by Cu(1), has become known as "click-chemistry". The ease with which this reaction can be carried out and the formation of pure product without the need for further purification, offer a tremendous potential in developing monodisperse 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole heterocycle based macromolecules of a diverse nature. The versatility of this approach in designing dendrimers or functionalizing them at the periphery with desired molecules has rekindled hopes in developing nanomaterials, at scales that can accelerate their entry into industrial usage.