Various methods of synthesis of phosphorus dendrimers are presented, in particular a fast method which allows creating each generation in only one step, while multiplying by 5 the number of end-groups. These methods of synthesis can easily be modified to place selectively on the surface, inside, within the branches or at the core, functional groups chosen according to the properties or the applications which they can bring. In many cases, the size of the dendrimer (its generation) has an influence on these properties. Various applications in the fields of catalysis, materials, and biology are presented. To cite this article: Anne-Marie Caminade et al., C. R. Chimie 6 (2003).