An iterative procedure gives 1,3,5-phenyl-linked dendrons of up to the fourth generation and enables the formation of different generations of iridium(III) complex-cored dendrimers. The convergent synthesis uses N,N'-1,8-naphthyl-3,5-dibromophenylboronamide as the key building block. The iterative synthesis cycle involves deprotection of the boronamide-focused dendron to form a boronic acid and subsequent Suzuki coupling either with the N,N'-1,8-naphthyl-3,5-dibromophenylboronamide to give the next dendron generation or with an activated core to form a dendrimer.