Poly(alkylidenamines) dendrimers as scaffolds for the preparation of low-generation ruthenium based metallodendrimers

The aim of this article is to highlight the use of nitrile-functionalized poly(alkylidenamines) dendrimers as building blocks for the preparation of low-generation ruthenium based cationic metallodendrimers having in view potential biomedical applications. Air-stable poly(alkylidenamines) nitrile dendrimers, peripherally functionalized with the ruthenium moieties [Ru(Z5-C5H5)(PPh3)2]+ or [RuCl(dppe)2]+, have been prepared, characterized and are being studied for their anticancer activity. The followed strategy is based on the biological advantages associated with low-generation dendrimers, the known activity of ruthenium compounds as anticancer drugs and the stability of these dendrimers at the physiological temperature.