Dilute Solution Behavior of Dendrimers and Polysaccharides:  SEC, ESI-MS, and Computer Modeling

Dendrimers, the most highly branched structures achievable, have found numerous uses in the chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical fields. We have employed size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with universal calibration to determine molecular weight averages, distributions, intrinsic viscosities, and structural parameters of Starburst dendrimers, dextrans, and the starch degradation polysaccharides known as maltodextrins. Comparisons have been made in the dilute solution behavior of dendrimers and polysaccharides with equivalent weight-average molecular weights. Intrinsic viscosities decreased in the order [η](dextran) > [η](dextrin) > [η](dendrimer). While the difference between dendrimer and polysaccharides may be attributed to the higher branching of the former, which leads to a higher chain density in solution, the difference between dextran and dextrin is likely a result of the variation in solution behavior of α-(1→6) vs α-(1→4) linked carbohydrates. The solution behavior of the maltodextrins studied indicates that debranching in their manufacture appears to have been more thorough than in that of β-limiting dextrins studied by other groups. Comparison of molecular radii obtained from SEC data to radii from molecular dynamics studies show Starburst dendrimers behave as θ-stars with functionality between 1 and 4. Additionally, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was employed to determine M(w), M(n), and PD of Astramol dendrimers.