Here, we report on the synthesis, characterization and catalytic evaluation of Cu, Ag and Au dendrimer encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). Generations 4-6 of PAMAM-OH and PAMAM-NH2 were used as templating agents for the synthesis of Cu and Ag-DENS respectively. Generation 4 PAMAM-NH2 dendrimers were used for the synthesis of Au-DENs. These prepared DENs were characterized using UV visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy as well as a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The catalytic activity of these DENs was evaluated on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AMP) by sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The reaction was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy at lambda 400 nm. These prepared DENs were found to exhibit good activity for this reduction reaction. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.