A series of dendritic ligands with a 2,2'-bipyridine core was synthesized through the coupling of 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine with poly(arylether) dendron in fair yields. The corresponding copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) dendrimers were applied as a Lewis acid catalyst to the Diels-Alder reaction. A positive dendritic effect on the chemical yields of adducts was observed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.