Triethylene glycol ether end-grafted carbosilane dendrimers: synthesis and complexation behaviour

The synthesis of first and second generation carbosilane dendrimers with end-grafted triethylene glycol methyl ether units is reported. The reaction chemistry of Me2Si(CH2CH2CH2SiMe2CH2(CH2CH2O)4Me)2 (4), Si(CH2CH2CH2SiMe2CH2(CH2CH2O)4Me)4 (5) and Si(CH2CH2CH2SiMe(CH2CH2CH2SiMe2CH2(CH2CH2O)4Me)2)4 (7) towards alkali metal ions is described. ESI-TOF studies reveal that in 4 one, in 5 two and in 7 up to four metal ions can be trapped, which enables 4, 5 and 7 as possible ionophores for chemical sensors.