Astramol Am-8 Amine terminated poly(propylene imine) dendrimer DSM Polymer intermediates ADHESIVE ASTRAMOL, Breakthrough in Dendrimer Production Dendrimers are a new class of macromolecules with a hyperbranched structure. The stepwise manner in which they are synthesized leads to a structure that is well-defined in terms of: chemical composition, three-dimensional configuration, and provides control over their properties such as: size, shape, reactivity and solubility. As result of their unique structure they offer a wide range of interesting features. Properties of Astramol dendrimers Selected features of the Astramol dendrimers are summarized in the table below. At room temperature all Astramol dendrimers are viscous liquids, except for the first generation, which is a solid. They are readily soluble e.g.: the amines are soluble in water and alcohols The thermal stability of the amine terminated dendrimers is high and increases as a function of the generation. Any of the properties of Astramol poly(propylene imine) dendrimers, or a combination thereof, may lead to a large variety of applications, for instance in: plastics, coatings, inks, adhesives, catalysts, or in controlled release of active ingredients. Research at DSM has shown that these dendrimers can be used as catalysts in polyurethane production. They have: similar activity as trioctylamine, are less active than DABCO, but have absolutely no smell which can be a great advantage in applications where the absence of the smell of amines is attractive or important. Astramol dendrimers modified with fatty acid chains via an acylation reaction behave as surfactants. These can be used as additives in plastics. These molecules can be viewed as unimolecular micelles that are capable of solubilizing a large number of polar (acidic) molecules in an apolar environment. Very closely related to these fatty acid modified dendrimers are the partially fatty-acid-modified dendrimers. In these compounds not all of the amines are reacted. This yields a molecule that has a basic, polar interior with a periphery consisting of a mixture of primary amines and apolar fatty acid chains. By reacting the 5th generation dendrimers with bulky hydrogen bonding moieties (BOC-protected phenyl alanine) a rigid shell is built around the dendrimer. The resulting structure, the so-called dendritic box, is able to trap guest molecules like Bengal Rose or Fluoresceine during the construction of the shell. Second generation of amine terminated dendritic macromolecule with hyperbranched structure. Used in adhesives. Possesses similar activity as trioctylamine and less activity than DABCO. Offers high thermal stability. Has no smell which can be a great advantage in applications where the absence of the smell of amines is attractive or important. Can be modified with fatty acid chains.