Photocatalytic disassembly of tertiary amine-based dendrimers to monomers and their application to the ‘catch and release’ of a dye in aqueous solution

Abstract

Photocatalytic disassembly of tertiary amine-based poly(propyl ether imine) dendrimers, in the presence of either 9,10-anthraquinone or riboflavin tetraacetate and O₂(g), leads to di- and tripropanolamine monomers. An application is shown by solubilisation of a water-insoluble dye, Sudan I, in aq. dendrimer solution (‘catch’), followed by its ‘release’ upon disassembly of the dendrimer.