Abstract
We have used 4-isocyanato-4'-(3,3-dimethyl-2,4-dioxoazetidino) diphenylmethane and diethylenetriamine as building blocks to synthesize novel poly(urethane/malonamide) dendrons possessing terminal methyl ethyl ketoxime (MEKO) units (blocked isocyanate groups). Heating the MEKO-containing dendrons regenerated the terminal isocyanate groups. Subsequently, the regenerated isocyanate groups would react with any compound with active hydrogens. In one example, the dendrons with the deblocked isocyanates further reacted with stearyl alcohol (C18-OH) to form the corresponding dendrons presenting C18 moieties. This deblocking strategy allows replacement of reactive exterior groups with desired functionality for the construction of dendritic macromolecules. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011.