Synthesis and metal binding properties of salicylate-, catecholate-, and hydroxypyridinonate-functionalized dendrimers.

The synthesis, characterization, and metal-binding studies of chelate-functionalized dendrimers is reported. Salicylate, catecholate, and hydroxypyridinonate bidentate chelators have been coupled to the surface of both poly(propyleneimine) (Astramol) and poly(amidoamine) (Starburst, PAMAM) dendrimers up to the fifth generation (64 endgroups). A general method has been developed for the facile and high quality chromatographic purification of poly(propyleneimine) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer derivatives. One- and two-dimensional (TOCSY) 1H NMR experiments and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) have confirmed the exhaustive coupling of these chelators to the primary amine functionalities of the dendrimers. Spectrophotometric titrations were used to investigate the metal binding ability of these macrochelates. Spectral analysis shows that ferric iron binding to these ligands is localized to the chelating endgroups. The ability of these dendritic polymers to bind large numbers of metal ions may lead to applications as metal sequestering agents for waste remediation technologies.