Macromolecules in the shape of three-dimensional kites, barbells, and other shapes are disclosed. The shaped macromolecules are prepared the reaction of one or more
dendritic polymers and a
linear polymer. The kite-shaped macromolecules are
dendritic polymers attached at either their focal points or at an outer to a long
carbon chain group. The barbell macromolecules have
dendritic polymers at either end of the molecule, which polymers are connected together through the focal points of each by a suitable connecting
substituent such as a
linear polymer. The shaped macromolecules are used in
specialty medical and technological applications including such as
drug delivery agents, imaging materials, molecular devices, thin film devices, surface modifiers, transport agents, compatibilizers,
rheology control agents, molecular ball bearings, molecular dipoles, non-linear
optical materials,
medical imaging agents, membrane and
cell modifiers, complexing agents, adhesives, interface strengthening agents, and the like.