Poly(propylene imine) dendrimers functionalized with stilbene or 1,4-distyrylbenzene chromophores

Two generations of dendritic nanoparticles were prepared, which contain (E)-stilbene or (E,E)-1,4-distyrylbenzene chromophores in the 4 or 8 terminal positions of the propylene imine dendrons. The compounds show a highly efficient photoreactivity. On prolonged irradiation all stilbenoid chromophores were destroyed by oligomerization (crosslinking) and the typical absorption and fluorescence of the chromophores disappeared completely.