Abstract A series of cationic dendrons bearing triethylene glycol monomethyl ether terminal groups of different generations have been synthesized and used to encapsulate an inorganic polyanionic cluster [K 12.5 Na 1.5 (NaP 5 W 30 O 110)] through electrostatic interactions. The resulting dendritic cation–encapsulated polyoxometalate (POM) complexes, cluster–dendrimers, are soluble in water and exhibit lower critical solution ...