Dendrimers: Introduction, Structural Properties and Applications

The terminology ‘dendrimers’ originated from the Greek nomenclature, emanating from two words, viz. ‘dendron’, meaning tree and ‘meros’ that signifies a part or a sense of belonging. Essentially, dendrimers signify the giant molecules which have an intensively branched 3-dimensional (3D) structure, monodispersed character and are structurally polyvalent with precisely defined molecular structures. Several other terminologies also prevail with the help of which dendrimers are known in the scientific world such as cascade molecules, arborols and cauliflower with dynamic and highly useful building units because of their unique structure and properties.