Polymerization of styrene in aqueous dispersions of the dodecanamide derivative of poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer DAB-dendr-(NH2)(64) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) produced stable latices. With initial SDS concentrations of 10 mM or less, molar ratios of SDS to dendrimer end groups ranging from 2.3:1 to 9.5:1, and less than 10 wt % of SDS relative to styrene, the polystyrene latices had diameters of 30-60 nm and coefficients of variation of diameters of less than 10% when measured by transmission electron microscopy. Higher concentrations of SDS gave more polydisperse latices. The polystyrene latices formed with SDS and the dodecanamide-modified dendrimer were almost the same size and polydispersity as those formed with SDS and the parent primary amine dendrimer DAB-dendr-(NH2)(64). (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.