The peripheral functionalization of amine-terminated fourth-gene ration poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) with thiophene dendrons and the preparation of dendrimer-encapsulated metal nanoparticles are described. Interesting nanoparticle stabilization and energy-transfer properties were observed with these hybrid materials. The synthesis involved imine coupling of the dendron derivatives to the peripheral amine groups of PAMAM followed by reduction. The formation of these metal-organic nanoparticle hybrid materials was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy. The complexation of metal ions and the stabilization effect of PAMAM on metal nanoparticles were investigated by FT-IR. Energy transfer was observed between the metal surface plasmon absorption and fluorescence of the terthiophene dendrons. Non-contact magnetic-AC mode AFM imaging revealed the formation of monodispersed and very stable nanoparticles adsorbed on an HOPG flat substrate.