Hyperbranched polymers are obtained through one-step polymerization reactions
and exhibit properties that are very similar to those of perfect dendrimer
analogues. Therefore, hyperbranched polymers are a suitable alternative for
perfect dendrimers as building blocks for dendritic nanocarrier systems. With
regard to using soluble hyperbranched polymers as carrier systems, their
flexible chains are a major benefit as they can adopt and compartment guest
molecules. Upon encapsulation, the properties of the host decides the fate of
the guest, e.g., solubility, but the host can also shield a guest from the
environment and protect it, e.g., from degradation and deactivation. With
regard to the advantages of using hyperbranched polymers as nanocarrier
systems and their scalable synthesis, we will discuss different types of
hyperbranched polymers and their application as nanocarrier systems for drugs,
dyes, and other guest molecules