AB3 building blocks for the synthesis of polyester dendrimers

Syntheses of several examples of a new type of trivalent building blocks for the preparation of aliphatic polyester dendrimers are presented. Starting from the well-known mono-O-benzylidenepentaerythritol, AB3 type acid dendrons can be obtained in high yield in only two steps. Other triprotected bis-2,2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-hydroxypropanoic acid derivatives with varying protecting groups were also synthesized readily. This type of dendron was used in combination with 2,2′-bis(hydroxymethyl) propanoic acid (bis-HMPA) divalent dendrons to produce low generation mixed polyester dendrimers with increased number of branching points.