C–C bond fragmentation of structurally diverse carbocycles has been applied to the divergent synthesis of dendrimers. The fragmentation has been paired to deprotection or thio-Michael reaction, allowing the preparation of a fourth generation dendrimer of narrow molecular weight distribution. Methodologies to increase water solubility have been examined using appended carboxylic acid or oligoether moieties. In addition, incorporation of chiral prolinol derivatives has resulted in the synthesis of dendrimers that have been shown to catalyse the α-amination of aldehydes in good yield and modest enantioselectivity.