It is noteworthy, that an “aufbau roadmap” leading to the dendron/dendrimer
soft nano-element category [S-1] can be mathematically defined from the atomic
and small molecule dimensional levels. It is apparent that that this aufbau strategy is
dependent on conserved CADPs and CMDPs to produce precise mathematically
defined covalent structures such as linear and branch cell monomers (Fig. 37).
When assembled according to well-defined divergent or convergent dendritic
amplification principles, they produce precise mathematically defined covalent
dendron, dendrimer, or core–shell tecto(dendrimer) structures (Fig. 26). Presumably, analogous mathematical relationships exist for Percec-type self-assembling
dendrons to produce supramolecular dendrimers (as described in Fig. 25).
7 Conclusions
In summary, polymer science has progressed and advanced dramatically in the
60 years that have lapsed since Herman Staudinger was recognized for his revolutionary macromolecular hypothesis in 1953. Most notable, has been the enormous
impact that Staudinger’s paradigm has had on international commerce and
enhancement of the human condition. This influence has been so substantial that
the twentieth century has been referred to as the “plastic’s century” [196]. The
explosive activity during the twentieth century in the field of polymer science has
been directly connected to the many important new emerging properties these
materials have presented to society in such diverse areas as transportation, shelter,
clothing, food, and healthcare, to mention a few. There is no doubt that these new
properties were driven by emergence of the four major architecture classes, namely,
(I) linear, (II) crosslinked, (III) branched, and (IV) dendritic polymers. Based on
their macromolecular physico-chemical properties and low cost of production, the
first three major macromolecular architectures (I–III) have constituted the bulk of
all commercial polymer products used by society. Since feedstocks for these three
early macromolecular architectures have been based primarily on non-renewable
petroleum and fossil fuels, the impact of these materials has not been totally
positive for society or the environment. As such, many new commercial polymer
platforms have turned to renewable or biodegradable feedstocks and polymer
compositions.
In contrast, the fourth major architectural class, namely, dendrimers/dendritic
polymers have been found to be more suited for very important, but smaller
volume, markets such as catalysis, electronics, diagnostics, protein mimics, and
nanomedicine to mention a few. In that regard, using strictly abiotic methods, it has
been widely demonstrated over the past decade that dendrimers [52, 55] can be
routinely constructed with a control that rivals the structural regulation found in
biological systems. The close scaling of size [123, 197], shape, and quasiequivalency of surfaces [188, 189, 198] observed between nanoscale biostructures
and various dendrimer families/generational levels are both striking and provocative [54, 123, 188, 189, 197–201]. These remarkable similarities suggest a broad
Twenty-First Century Polymer Science After Staudinger: The Emergence of. . .
379
soft nano-element category [S-1] can be mathematically defined from the atomic
and small molecule dimensional levels. It is apparent that that this aufbau strategy is
dependent on conserved CADPs and CMDPs to produce precise mathematically
defined covalent structures such as linear and branch cell monomers (Fig. 37).
When assembled according to well-defined divergent or convergent dendritic
amplification principles, they produce precise mathematically defined covalent
dendron, dendrimer, or core–shell tecto(dendrimer) structures (Fig. 26). Presumably, analogous mathematical relationships exist for Percec-type self-assembling
dendrons to produce supramolecular dendrimers (as described in Fig. 25).
7 Conclusions
In summary, polymer science has progressed and advanced dramatically in the
60 years that have lapsed since Herman Staudinger was recognized for his revolutionary macromolecular hypothesis in 1953. Most notable, has been the enormous
impact that Staudinger’s paradigm has had on international commerce and
enhancement of the human condition. This influence has been so substantial that
the twentieth century has been referred to as the “plastic’s century” [196]. The
explosive activity during the twentieth century in the field of polymer science has
been directly connected to the many important new emerging properties these
materials have presented to society in such diverse areas as transportation, shelter,
clothing, food, and healthcare, to mention a few. There is no doubt that these new
properties were driven by emergence of the four major architecture classes, namely,
(I) linear, (II) crosslinked, (III) branched, and (IV) dendritic polymers. Based on
their macromolecular physico-chemical properties and low cost of production, the
first three major macromolecular architectures (I–III) have constituted the bulk of
all commercial polymer products used by society. Since feedstocks for these three
early macromolecular architectures have been based primarily on non-renewable
petroleum and fossil fuels, the impact of these materials has not been totally
positive for society or the environment. As such, many new commercial polymer
platforms have turned to renewable or biodegradable feedstocks and polymer
compositions.
In contrast, the fourth major architectural class, namely, dendrimers/dendritic
polymers have been found to be more suited for very important, but smaller
volume, markets such as catalysis, electronics, diagnostics, protein mimics, and
nanomedicine to mention a few. In that regard, using strictly abiotic methods, it has
been widely demonstrated over the past decade that dendrimers [52, 55] can be
routinely constructed with a control that rivals the structural regulation found in
biological systems. The close scaling of size [123, 197], shape, and quasiequivalency of surfaces [188, 189, 198] observed between nanoscale biostructures
and various dendrimer families/generational levels are both striking and provocative [54, 123, 188, 189, 197–201]. These remarkable similarities suggest a broad
Twenty-First Century Polymer Science After Staudinger: The Emergence of. . .
379