Rapid aqueous ‘click chemistry’ using Cu(I)-loaded dendrimers as macromolecular catalysts

Here, we investigate the catalytic activity of various copper (Cu)-loaded poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers towards the Cu(I)-catalysed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Reactivity is tested on a model reaction between azido propanol and propargyl alcohol in aqueous solution. We observe significantly faster conversion using PAMAM dendrimers as macromolecular Cu(I) ligands compared to traditional small molecular ligand systems, and demonstrate that the macromolecular catalyst can be removed by ultrafiltration.