Phototriggering of geometric dendrimer disassembly: an improved synthesis of 2,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol based dendrimers

Dendrimers capable of phototriggered disassembly were prepared up to the second-generation using an improved synthesis of 2,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol based dendrimers. It was found that disassembly proceeds to 75–80% completion after 2 h of irradiation at 310 nm for all molecules studied. The lack of complete reaction is attributed to an inefficient photochemical deprotection process rather than the disassembly itself.