Amphiphilic dendrons with a pyrene functional group at the focal point: synthesis, self-assembly and generation-dependent DNA condensation

A novel class of amphiphilic dendrons with a pyrene functional group at the focal point was designed and synthesized. The self-assembly and DNA condensation behaviors of these pyrene-functionalized amphiphilic dendrons were investigated in detail. The size of dendritic wedges, together with the fluorescent pyrene hydrophobe significantly influenced their supramolecular assembly behaviors and DNA condensation. Anisotropic 1D nanostructures were formed owing to their amphiphilic nature and the synergic effect of non-covalent interactions. Furthermore, the complexes formed by the cationic dendrons and DNA were well characterized, demonstrating these dendritic amphiphiles as promising candidates for efficient and functional gene carriers. Interestingly, the condensation efficiency of these pyrene based supramolecular nanostructures towards DNA could be conveniently controlled by the generation of dendrons, which will make them potentially applicable in many fields of medicinal science and biotechnology.