The Synthesis of amido-amine functionalized dendrimers and hyperbranched Polymers, and a comparative study into their use as drug delivery vehicles.

In order to improve the effectiveness of drug treatments and resolve health issues, it is critical to have a variety of efficient drug delivery systems (DDSs). In recent years, researchers and academics have been paying increased attention to dendrimers, for their ability to encapsulate poorly soluble drugs to specific within their hydrophobic structures. With careful design, the hydrophobic interactions can be improved through secondary interactions, between the drug and the dendrimer’s internal functionality. The use of dendrimers has been limited by their high cost and lengthy synthetic process. However, these limitations can be offset using a related class of polymer known as a hyperbranched polymer (HBP). These possess similar properties to dendrimers, and can be applied to similar applications, but are less expensive and easier to synthesise. The aim of this thesis is to explore whether or not HBPs could be used as viable alternatives to dendrimers for drug delivery. To study this objectively, systems built up using identical functionality were synthesised. For this work, amido-amine dendrimers and HBPs were prepared and studied.