Pyridine and phosphonate containing ligands for stable lanthanide complexation. An experimental and theoretical study to assess the solution structure

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide Pyridinylphosphonic Tacn and Pyclen Derivatives: From Mononuclear Complexes to Supramolecular Heteronuclear Assemblies

Synthetic methodologies were developed to achieve the preparation of ligands L1 and L2 consisting of tacn- and pyclen-based chelators decorated with pyridinylphosphonic pendant arms combined with ethylpicolinamide or acetate coordinating functions, respectively. Phosphonate functions have been selected for their high affinity toward Ln3+ ions compared to their carboxylated counterparts and for their steric hindrance that favors the formation of less-hydrated complexes. Thanks to regiospecific N-functionalization of the macrocyclic backbones, the two ligands were isolated with good yields and implicated in a comprehensive photophysical study for the complexation of Eu3+, Tb3+, and Yb3+. The coordination behavior of L1 and L2 with these cations has been first investigated by means of a combination of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, steady-state and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, and 1H and 31P NMR titration experiments. Structural characterization in solution was assessed by NMR spectroscopy, corroborated by theoretical calculations. Spectroscopic characterization of the Ln3+ complexes of L1 and L2 was done in water and D2O and showed the effective sensitization of the lanthanide metal-centered emission spectra, each exhibiting typical lanthanide emission bands. The results obtained for the phosphonated ligands were compared with those reported previously for the corresponding carboxylated analogues.

Pyclen-Based Ligands Bearing Pendant Picolinate Arms for Gadolinium Complexation

We report the synthesis of two pyclen-based regioisomer ligands (pyclen = 3,6,9,15-tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene) functionalized with picolinic acid pendant arms either at positions 3,9-pc2pa (L5) or 3,6-pc2pa (L6) of the macrocyclic fragment. The ligands were prepared by the regiospecific protection of one of the amine nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle using Boc and Alloc protecting groups, respectively. The X-ray structure of the Gd(III) complex of L5 contains trinuclear [(GdL5)₃(H₂O)₃]³⁺ entities in which the monomeric units are joined by μ₂-η¹:η¹-carboxylate groups. However, the ¹H and ⁸⁹Y NMR spectra of its Y(III) analogue support the formation of monomeric complexes in solution. The Tb(III) complexes are highly luminescent, with emission quantum yields of up to 28% for [TbL5]⁺. The luminescence lifetimes recorded in H₂O and D₂O solutions indicate the presence of a water molecule coordinated to the metal ion, as also evidenced by the ¹H relaxivities measured for the Gd(III) analogues. The Gd(III) complexes present very different exchange rates of the coordinated water molecule (k_ex²⁹⁸ = 87.1 × 10⁶ and 1.06 × 10⁶ s^-1 for [GdL5]⁺ and [GdL6]⁺, respectively). The very high water exchange rate of [GdL5]⁺ is associated with the steric hindrance originating from the coordination of the ligand around the water binding site, which favors a dissociatively activated water exchange process. The Gd(III) complexes present rather high thermodynamic stabilities (log K_GdL = 20.47 and 19.77 for [GdL5]⁺ and [GdL6]⁺, respectively). Furthermore, these complexes are remarkably inert with respect to their acid-assisted dissociation, in particular the complex of L5.

pH-Dependent Hydration Change in a Gd-Based MRI Contrast Agent with a Phosphonated Ligand

The heptadentate ligand L was shown to form an extremely stable Gd complex at neutral pH with a pGd value of 18.4 at pH 7.4. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes formed with Gd and Tb displayed two very different coordination behaviors being, respectively, octa- and nonacoordinated. The relaxometric properties of the Gd complex were studied by field-dependent relaxivity measurements at various temperatures and by ¹⁷ O NMR spectroscopy. The pH-dependence of the longitudinal relaxivity profile indicated large changes around neutral pH leading to a very large value of 10.1 mm^-1 ⋅s^-1 (60 MHz, 298 K) at pH 4.7. The changes were attributed to an increase of the hydration number from one water molecule in basic conditions to two at acidic pH. A similar trend was observed for the luminescence of the Eu complex, confirming the change in hydration state. DOSY experiments were performed on the Lu analogue, pointing to the absence of dimers in solution in the considered pH range. A breathing mode of the complex was postulated, which was further supported by ¹ H and ³¹ P NMR spectroscopy of the Yb complex at varying pH and was finally modeled by DFT calculations.

Synthesis, structure and metal ion coordination of novel benzodiazamacrocyclic ligands bearing pyridyl and picolinate pendant side-arms

Complex formation of benzodiazacrown ethers with heavy and transition metal ions was studied using NMR spectroscopy, potentiometry and X-ray crystallography.

p-NO2-Bn-H4neunpa and H4neunpa-Trastuzumab: Bifunctional Chelator for Radiometalpharmaceuticals and 111In Immuno-Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Imaging

Potentially nonadentate (N₅O₄) bifunctional chelator p-SCN-Bn-H₄neunpa and its immunoconjugate H₄neunpa-trastuzumab for ¹¹¹In radiolabeling are synthesized. The ability of p-SCN-Bn-H₄neunpa and H₄neunpa-trastuzumab to quantitatively radiolabel ¹¹¹InCl₃ at an ambient temperature within 15 or 30 min, respectively, is presented. Thermodynamic stability determination with In³⁺, Bi³⁺, and La³⁺ resulted in high conditional stability constant (pM) values. In vitro human serum stability assays have demonstrated both ¹¹¹In complexes to have high stability over 5 days. Mouse biodistribution of [¹¹¹In][In(p-NO₂-Bn-neunpa)]^-, compared to that of [¹¹¹In][In(p-NH₂-Bn-CHX-A″-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA))]^2-, at 1, 4, and 24 h shows fast clearance of both complexes from the mice within 24 h. In a second mouse biodistribution study, the immunoconjugates ¹¹¹In-neunpa-trastuzumab and ¹¹¹In-CHX-A″-DTPA-trastuzumab demonstrate a similar distribution profile but with slightly lower tumor uptake of ¹¹¹In-neunpa-trastuzumab compared to that of ¹¹¹In-CHX-A″-DTPA-trastuzumab. These results were also confirmed by immuno-single photon emission computed tomography (immuno-SPECT) imaging in vivo. These initial investigations reveal the acyclic bifunctional chelator p-SCN-Bn-H₄neunpa to be a promising chelator for ¹¹¹In (and other radiometals) with high in vitro stability and also show H₄neunpa-trastuzumab to be an excellent ¹¹¹In chelator with promising biodistribution in mice.

Investigating the Complexation of the Pb(2+)/Bi(3+) Pair with Dipicolinate Cyclen Ligands

The complexation properties toward Pb(2+) and Bi(3+) of the macrocyclic ligands 6,6'-((1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)bis(methylene))dipicolinic acid (H2do2pa) and 6,6'-((4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)bis(methylene))dipicolinic acid (H2Me-do2pa) have been investigated. A new three-step synthesis of H2do2pa following the bisaminal methodology has also been developed. The X-ray structures of [Pb(Me-do2pa)]·6H2O and [Bi(Me-do2pa)](NO3)·H2O show that the two metal ions are eight-coordinated by the ligand. The two complexes exist as the racemic Δ(δδδδ)/Λ(λλλλ) mixture both in the solid state and in solution, as indicated by NMR and DFT studies. The stability constants of the lead(II) and bismuth(III) complexes of the two ligands were determined in 0.5 M KCl using potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques. The stability constants determined for the complexes of Pb(2+) are relatively high (log KML = 16.44 and 18.44 for H2do2pa and H2Me-do2pa, respectively) and exceptionally high for the complexes of Bi(3+) (log KML = 32.0 and 34.2 for H2do2pa and H2Me-do2pa, respectively). The [Pb(Me-do2pa)] complex presents rather fast formation and very good kinetic inertness toward transchelation. Additionally, the [Bi(Me-do2pa)](+) complex was found to present a remarkably fast complexation rate (full complexation in ∼2 min at pH 5.0, acetate buffer) and a very good kinetic inertness with respect to metal ion dissociation (half-life of 23.9 min in 1 M HCl), showing promise for potential applications in α-radioimmunotherapy.

Stable Mn2+, Cu2+ and Ln3+ complexes with cyclen-based ligands functionalized with picolinate pendant arms

Cyclen-based ligands containing two picolinate pendant arms form Gd³⁺ complexes remarkably stable and inert with respect to metal ion dissociation.

High-denticity ligands based on picolinic acid for 111In radiochemistry

Four new acyclic ligands, Bn-H3nonapa (3), H3nonapa (4), p-NO2-Bn-H3nonapa (10), and Bn-H3trenpa (7), were synthesized and studied with nonradioactive In3+ and with radioactive 111In3+. The coordination of these ligands to In3+ was confirmed by high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Radiolabeling experiments were performed with 111In3+; these demonstrated H3nonapa (4) to be the best indium ligand of those studied herein, achieving radiochemical yields of ∼97% in 10 min at ambient temperature, and stability to transchelation in mouse serum of 44.5% ± 25.9% after 24 h. Although the radiolabeling kinetics of H3nonapa (4) were excellent, serum stability results were inferior to the previously studied ligands DOTA, DTPA, and H4octapa, suggesting that the presented ligands may find their optimum radiopharmaceutical applications with isotopes other than 111In. Owing to the high denticity of these ligands (9–10 coordinate), they may realize their potential with large ion isotopes such as 177Lu, 86/90Y, and 225Ac.

H6phospa-trastuzumab: bifunctional methylenephosphonate-based chelator with 89Zr, 111In and 177Lu

The acyclic chelator H6phospa and the bifunctional derivative p-SCN-Bn-H6phospa have been synthesized using nosyl protection chemistry and evaluated with (89)Zr, (111)In, and (177)Lu. The p-SCN-Bn-H6phospa derivative was successfully conjugated to trastuzumab with isotopic dilution assays indicating 3.3 ± 0.1 chelates per antibody and in vitro cellular binding assays indicating an immunoreactivity value of 97.9 ± 2.6%. Radiolabeling of the H6phospa-trastuzumab immunoconjugate was achieved with (111)In in 70-90% yields at room temperature in 30 minutes, while (177)Lu under the same conditions produced more inconsistent yields of 40-80%. Stability experiments in human serum revealed the (111)In-phospa-trastuzumab complex to be 52.0 ± 5.3% intact after 5 days at 37 °C, while the (177)Lu-phospa-trastuzumab to be only 2.0 ± 0.3% intact. Small animal SPECT/CT imaging using mice bearing subcutaneous SKOV-3 ovarian cancer xenografts was performed, and it was found that (111)In-phospa-trastuzumab successfully identified and delineated small (~2 mm in diameter) tumors from surrounding tissues, despite visible uptake in the kidneys and bone due to moderate chelate instability. As predicted from stability assays in serum, the (177)Lu-phospa-trastuzumab conjugate served as a negative control and displayed no tumor uptake, with high uptake in bones indicating rapid and complete radiometal dissociation and suggesting a potential application of H6phospa in transient lanthanide chelation for bone-delivery. Radiolabeling with (89)Zr was attempted, but even with elevated temperatures of 37 °C, the maximum observed radiometal incorporation over 18 hours was 12%. It can be concluded from this work that H6phospa is not superior to the previously studied H4octapa for use with (111)In and (177)Lu, but improvements in (89)Zr radiolabeling were observed over H4octapa, suggesting H6phospa to be an excellent starting point for elaboration of (89)Zr-based radiopharmaceutical development. To our knowledge, H6phospa is the best desferrioxamine alternative for (89)Zr radiolabeling to be studied to date.

Matching chelators to radiometals for radiopharmaceuticals

Radiometals comprise many useful radioactive isotopes of various metallic elements. When properly harnessed, these have valuable emission properties that can be used for diagnostic imaging techniques, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT, e.g.(67)Ga, (99m)Tc, (111)In, (177)Lu) and positron emission tomography (PET, e.g.(68)Ga, (64)Cu, (44)Sc, (86)Y, (89)Zr), as well as therapeutic applications (e.g.(47)Sc, (114m)In, (177)Lu, (90)Y, (212/213)Bi, (212)Pb, (225)Ac, (186/188)Re). A fundamental critical component of a radiometal-based radiopharmaceutical is the chelator, the ligand system that binds the radiometal ion in a tight stable coordination complex so that it can be properly directed to a desirable molecular target in vivo. This article is a guide for selecting the optimal match between chelator and radiometal for use in these systems. The article briefly introduces a selection of relevant and high impact radiometals, and their potential utility to the fields of radiochemistry, nuclear medicine, and molecular imaging. A description of radiometal-based radiopharmaceuticals is provided, and several key design considerations are discussed. The experimental methods by which chelators are assessed for their suitability with a variety of radiometal ions is explained, and a large selection of the most common and most promising chelators are evaluated and discussed for their potential use with a variety of radiometals. Comprehensive tables have been assembled to provide a convenient and accessible overview of the field of radiometal chelating agents.

1H and 17O NMR relaxometric and computational study on macrocyclic Mn(II) complexes

Herein we report a detailed 1H and 17O relaxometric investigation of Mn(II) complexes with cyclen-based ligands such as 2-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1-yl)acetic acid (DO1A), 2,2'-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4-diyl)diacetic acid (1,4-DO2A), 2,2'-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)diacetic acid (1,7-DO2A), and 2,2',2"-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triyl)triacetic acid (DO3A). The Mn(II) complex with the heptadentate ligand DO3A does not have inner sphere water molecules (q = 0), and therefore, the metal ion is most likely seven-coordinate. The hexadentate DO2A ligand has two isomeric forms: 1,7-DO2A and 1,4-DO2A. The Mn(II) complex with 1,7-DO2A is predominantly six-coordinate (q = 0). In aqueous solutions of [Mn(1,4-DO2A)], a species with one coordinated water molecule (q = 1) prevails largely, whereas a q = 0 form represents only about 10% of the overall population. The Mn(II) complex of the pentadentate ligand DO1A also contains a coordinated water molecule. DFT calculations (B3LYP model) are used to obtain information about the structure of this family of closely related complexes in solution, as well as to determine theoretically the 17O and 1H hyperfine coupling constants responsible for the scalar contribution to 17O and 1H NMR relaxation rates and 17O NMR chemical shifts. These calculations provide 17O A/ħ values of ca. 40 × 10(6) rad s(-1), in good agreement with experimental data. The [Mn(1,4-DO2A)(H2O)] complex is endowed with a relatively fast water exchange rate (k(ex)298 = 11.3 × 10(8) s(-1)) in comparison to the [Mn(EDTA)(H2O)]2- analogue (k(ex)298 = 4.7 × 10(8) s(-1)), but about 5 times lower than that of the [Mn(DO1A)(H2O)]+ complex (k(ex)298 = 60 × 10(8) s(-1)). The water exchange rate measured for the latter complex represents the highest water exchange rate ever measured for a Mn(II) complex.

Highly relaxing gadolinium based MRI contrast agents responsive to Mg2+ sensing

A Gd complex based on a polyphosphonated pyridyl ligand shows a very high stability in aqueous solution (log K(EuL) = 25.7), a high relaxivity (8.5 mM(-1) s(-1) at 25 °C and 20 MHz) and a marked and selective relaxivity enhancement (37%) in the presence of Mg(2+), opening interesting perspectives for the design of cation responsive contrast agents.

Lanthanide dota-like complexes containing a picolinate pendant: structural entry for the design of Ln(III)-based luminescent probes

In this contribution we present two ligands based on a do3a platform containing a picolinate group attached to the fourth nitrogen atom of the cyclen unit, which are designed for stable lanthanide complexation in aqueous solutions. Potentiometric measurements reveal that the thermodynamic stability of the complexes is very high (log K = 21.2-23.5), being comparable to that of the dota analogues. Luminescence lifetime measurements performed on solutions of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes indicate that the complexes are nine coordinate with no inner-sphere water molecules. A combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and NMR measurements shows that for the complexes of the heaviest lanthanides there is a major isomer in solution consisting of the enantiomeric pair Λ(δδδδ) and Δ(λλλλ), which provides square antiprismatic coordination (SAP) around the metal ion. Analysis of the Yb(III)-induced paramagnetic shifts unambiguously confirms that these complexes have SAP coordination in aqueous solution. For the light lanthanide ions however both the SAP and twisted-square antiprismatic (TSAP) isomers are present in solution. Inversion of the cyclen ring appears to be the rate-determining step for the Λ(δδδδ) ↔ Δ(λλλλ) enantiomerization process observed in the Lu(III) complexes. The energy barriers obtained from NMR measurements for this dynamic process are in excellent agreement with those predicted by DFT calculations. The energy barriers calculated for the arm-rotation process are considerably lower than those obtained for the ring-inversion path. Kinetic studies show that replacement of an acetate arm of dota by a picolinate pendant results in a 3-fold increase in the formation rate of the corresponding Eu(III) complexes and a significant increase of the rates of acid-catalyzed dissociation of the complexes. However, these rates are 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than those of do3a analogues, which shows that the complexes reported herein are remarkably inert with respect to metal ion dissociation.

Highly stable acyclic bifunctional chelator for 64Cu PET imaging

Ligand L1, based on a pyridine scaffold, functionalized by two bis(methane phosphonate)aminomethyl groups, was shown to display a very high affinity towards Cu(II) (log K CuL=22.7) and selectivity over Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Ga(III) (Δ log K ML>4) as shown by the values of the stability constants obtained from potentiometric measurements. Insights into the coordination mode of the ligand around Cu(II) cation were obtained by UV-Vis absorption and EPR spectroscopies as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP model) performed in aqueous solution. The results point to a pentacoordination pattern of the metal ion in the fully deprotonated [CuL1]6− species. Considering the beneficial thermodynamic parameters of this ligand, kinetic experiments were run to follow the formation of the copper(II) complexes, indicating a very rapid formation of the complex, appropriat e for 64Cu complexation. As L1 represents a particularly interesting target within the frame of 64Cu PET imaging, a synthetic protocol was developed to introduce a labeling function on the pyridyl moiety of L1, thereby affording L2, a potential bifunctional chelator (BFC) for PET imaging.

The effect of ring size variation on the structure and stability of lanthanide(III) complexes with crown ethers containing picolinate pendants

The coordination properties of the macrocyclic receptor N,N'-bis[(6-carboxy-2-pyridyl)methylene]-1,10-diaza-15-crown-5 (H(2)bp15c5) towards the lanthanide ions are reported. Thermodynamic stability constants were determined by pH-potentiometric titration at 25 °C in 0.1 M KCl. A smooth decrease in complex stability is observed upon decreasing the ionic radius of the Ln(III) ion from La [log K(LaL) = 12.52(2)] to Lu [log K(LuL) = 10.03(6)]. Luminescence lifetime measurements recorded on solutions of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes confirm the absence of inner-sphere water molecules in these complexes. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the complexes formed with the diamagnetic La(III) metal ion were obtained in D(2)O solution and assigned with the aid of HSQC and HMBC 2D heteronuclear experiments, as well as standard 2D homonuclear COSY and NOESY spectra. The (1)H NMR spectra of the paramagnetic Ce(III), Eu(III) and Yb(III) complex suggest nonadentate binding of the ligand to the metal ion. The syn conformation of the ligand in [Ln(bp15c5)](+) complexes implies the occurrence of two helicities, one associated with the layout of the picolinate pendant arms (absolute configuration Δ or Λ), and the other to the five five-membered chelate rings formed by the binding of the crown moiety (absolute configuration δ or λ). A detailed conformational analysis performed with the aid of DFT calculations (B3LYP model) indicates that the complexes adopt a Λ(λδ)(δδλ) [or Δ(δλ)(λλδ)] conformation in aqueous solution. Our calculations show that the interaction between the Ln(III) ion and several donor atoms of the crown moiety is weakened as the ionic radius of the metal ion decreases, in line with the decrease of complex stability observed on proceeding to the right across the lanthanide series.

Selective chelation of Cd(II) and Pb(II) versus Ca(II) and Zn(II) by using octadentate ligands containing pyridinecarboxylate and pyridyl pendants

Herein we report the coordination properties toward Cd(II), Pb(II), Ca(II), and Zn(II) of a new octadentate ligand (py-H(2)bcpe) based on a ethane-1,2-diamine unit containing two picolinate and two pyridyl pendants, which is structurally derived from the previous reported ligand bcpe. Potentiometric studies have been carried out to determine the protonation constants of the ligand and the stability constants of the complexes with these cations. The introduction of the pyridyl pendants in bcpe provokes a very important increase of the logK(ML) values obtained for the Pb(II) and Cd(II) complexes, while this effect is less important in the case of the Zn(II) analogue. As a result, py-bcpe shows a certain selectivity for Cd(II) and Pb(II) over Zn(II) while keeping good Pb(II)/Ca(II) and Cd(II)/Ca(II) selectivities, and the new receptor py-bcpe can be considered as a new structural framework for the design of novel Cd(II) and Pb(II) extracting agents. Likewise, the stabilities of the Cd(II) and Pb(II) complexes are higher than those of the corresponding EDTA analogues. The X-ray crystal structure of [Zn(py-bcpe)] shows hexadentate binding of the ligand to the metal ion, the coordination polyhedron being best described as a severely distorted octahedron. However, the X-ray crystal structure of the Pb(II) analogue shows octadentate binding of the ligand to the metal ion. A detailed investigation of the structure in aqueous solution of the complexes by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP) shows that while in the Zn(II) complex the metal ion is six-coordinated, in the Pb(II) and Ca(II) analogues the metal ions are eight-coordinated. For the Cd(II) complex, our results suggest that in solution the complex exists as a mixture of seven- and eight-coordinated species. DFT calculations performed both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution have been also used to investigate the role of the Pb(II) lone pair in the structure of the [Pb(py-bcpe)] complex.

Eight-coordinate Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) complexes based on a 1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 platform endowed with a remarkable selectivity over Ca(II)

The thermodynamic stability of the Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Ca(II) complexes with the dianionic macrocyclic ligand N,N'-bis[(6-carboxy-2-pyridyl)methyl]-1,7-diaza-12-crown-4 (H(2)bp12c4) has been investigated by pH-potentiometric titrations at 25 degrees C in 0.1 M KNO(3). The stability constants vary in the following order: Cd(II) > Zn(II) approximately Pb(II) > Ca(II). As a consequence, H(2)bp12c4 present an important Cd(II)/Ca(II) selectivity, as well as a certain selectivity for Cd(II) over Zn(II). To rationalize these results, a detailed investigation of the structure of these complexes has been carried out both in solid state and in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the [M(bp12c4)] complexes (M = Ca, Zn, Cd, or Pb) were characterized by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP model) to obtain information on their solution structures and to investigate the possible stereochemical activity of the Pb(II) lone pair. Our results show that in all cases the metal ion is octacoordinated by the ligand, a situation that is particularly rare for Zn(II) complexes. The coordination polyhedra observed in the solid state for the [M(bp12c4)] complexes (M = Zn, Cd, or Ca) is closely related to the conformation adopted by the ligand in the corresponding complex: The Zn(II) complex adopts a Delta(lambdalambdalambdalambda) conformation in the solid state, which results in a square antiprismatic coordination, while the Delta(deltadeltadeltadelta) conformation observed for the Cd(II) and Ca(II) analogues yields inverted-square antiprismatic geometries. The X-ray crystal structure of the Pb(II) analogue shows that the metal ion is directly bound to the eight donor atoms of the ligand, but the bond distances of the metal coordination environment indicate an asymmetrical coordination of the cation by the ligand, which is attributed to the stereochemical activity of the Pb(II) lone pair. In aqueous solution the Ca(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) complexes show rigid C(2) symmetries, while the Pb(II) analogue presents a more flexible structure.

Synthetic approaches to heterocyclic ligands for Gd-based MRI contrast agents

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods are currently used in the clinic for the non invasive detection and characterization of a wide variety of pathologies. Increases in the diagnostic efficiency of MRI have been helped by both the design of dedicated MR sequences revealing specific aspects of the pathology and by the development of more sensitive and selective Contrast Agents (CAs), capable of more precisely delineating the borderline regions. In the present review we focus on the synthetic strategies used to obtain MRI CAs containing heterocyclic rings.