Abstract

Dendrimers are complex, yet well-defined, macromolecular compounds exhibiting a high degree of constitutional order, with the possibility of containing selected chemical units in predetermined sites of their structure (core, branches, surface). Functional units can also be noncovalently hosted in the dynamic cavities of a dendrimer or associated at a dendrimer surface.

Luminescent dendrimers are currently attracting much attention since coupling luminescence and dendrimer research can lead to new valuable functions such as light harvesting, sensing with signal amplification, energy and electron-transfer processes, and shielding effects. In this article, we review recent advances in this field focusing our attention toward a few examples, namely: (a) dendrimers with a luminescent core; (b) dendrimers with luminescent units in the periphery; (c) dendrimers whose luminescence is governed by energy-transfer processes; and (d) luminescent dendrimers hosting luminescent guests. We illustrate their luminescent properties in fluid solution, elucidating their structures and superstructures.