Abstract: Compound of the general formula (I) X(B)m??(I) wherein X is an m-valent unit and B are identical or different and denote K-R, wherein K is a bond or is A1—(A2—A3)k-sp, wherein A1 is (CH2)tY(CH2)u, wherein Y is >C?O, >NH, —O—, —S— or a bond, t is an integer from 0 to 6 and u is an integer from 0 to 6, A2 is —NHCO—, —CONH—, —OCONH— or SCONH—, or is —CO—, A3 is (CH2)r, O(CH2)r, NH(CH2)r, S(CH2)r or —(CHQ)—, wherein r is an integer from 1 to 6 and Q is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl group, sp is a divalent spacer or a bond, and k is an integer from 5 to 100, and R is hydrogen; a ligand suitable for specific bonding to a receptor; a marker molecule; or a catalytically active group; and m is at least 2, with the proviso that (1) in the compound at least one R is not hydrogen, (2) there are at least two K that are not a bond, and (3) X, B and m are so selected that an intermolecular association of the K in liquid phase by the formation of hydrogen bonds is possible, with formatio