IE910189A1 - Chelants - Google Patents

Abstract

There are provided novel chelating agents useful in the preparation of contrast media for diagnostic imaging or of radiotherapeutic or detoxification compositions.

Description

Chelants The present invention relates to certain novel chelating agents, in particular polyamines, and to their uses, especially their medical uses.

The medical use of chelating agents is well established, for example as stabilizers for pharmaceutical preparations, as antidotes for poisonous heavy metal species and as diagnostic agents for the administration of metal species (e.g. ions or atoms) for diagnostic techniques such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound imaging or scintigraphy.

Polyamine chelating agents, for example aminopoly(carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative) (hereinafter APCA) chelating agents and their metal chelates, are well known and are described for example in US—A—2407645(Bersworth), US-A-2387735 (Bersworth), EP—A—71564 (Schering), EP-A-130934 (Schering), EP-A-165728 (Nycomed AS), DE-A-2918842 (Rexolin Chemicals AB), DE-A-3401052 (Schering), EP-A-258616 (Salutar), DE-A-3633245 (Schering), EP-A-263059 (Schering), EP-A-277088 (Schering) and DE-A-3633243 (IDF).

Thus, for example, EP-A-71564 describes paramagnetic metal chelates, for which the chelating agents are nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), Ν,Ν,Ν',N'-ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethyl-N,N’,N’-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), Ν,Ν,Ν1,N,N- diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and N-hydroxyethyl-iminodiacetic acid, as being suitable as contrast agents for MRI, contrast being achieved by the effect of the magnetic field of the paramagnetic species (e.g. Gd(III)) with the chelating agents serving to reduce the toxicity and to assist administration of that paramagnetic species. Amongst the particular metal chelates disclosed by IE 91189 EP—A—71564 was Gd DTPA, the use of which as an MRI contrast agent has recently received much attention.

The Gd(III) chelate of 1,4,7,10tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (DOTA) referred to in DE-A-3401052 (Schering) and in US-A-4639365 (University of Texas) and of l-hydroxypropyl-4,7,10triscarboxymethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (HPD03A) have also recently received attention in this regard.

To improve stability, water solubility and selectivity, relative to the APCA chelating agents described in EP-A-71564, Schering, in EP-A-130934, have proposed the partial substitution for the N-attached carboxyalkyl groups of alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl or alkylaminocarbonylalkyl groups, where any amide nitrogens may themselves carry polyhydroxyalkyl groups. More recently, to improve compatibility, stability, solubility and selectivity, in EP—A—250358 Schering have proposed a narrow range of compounds having a DTPA-like structure including a bridging alkylene chain.

In the field of hepatobiliary MRI contrast agents, where lipophilicity rather than hydrophilicity is desired, Nycomed in EP-A-165728, have proposed the use of paramagnetic chelates of certain anilide group-containing iminodiacetic acids and Lauffer in WO—A—86/06605 has suggested the use of paramagnetic chelates of triaza· and tetraaza macrocycles which have fused aryl group on one of the alkylene chains linking the ring nitrogens but are otherwise unsubstituted.

Nycomed, in EP-A-299795, suggest that the toxicity of certain APCA chelating agents and their chelates may be reduced by introducing at least one hydrophilic moiety as a substituent on one or more of the alkylene bridges between the amine nitrogens.

IE 91189 - 3 stability selectivity and there is thus a general and continuing need for such polyamine chelating agents which form metal chelates of reduced toxicity, improved stability or improved water solubility or having improved biodistribution characteristics.

We now propose a novel class of polyamine chelating agents which incorporate within their structure at least one 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring.

Thus viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a compound of formula I R1(CR2R3)n[X(CR2R3)n]mR1 (I) (wherein each X independently represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group of formula NA, or 2 3 2 3 (CR R )nX(CR R ) represents a group of formula E represents COH, NR , 0 or S; each A independently represents a hydrogen atom or a group (CR2R3)pY, (CR2R3)nN[(CR2R3) Y]2 or - 4 IE 91189 - (C2 R 3 ) 3 where two (CR R ) Y groups on different nitrogens, preferably in adjacent groups, may together represent a group -(CR2R3)n-; each Y independently represents a group COZ, SO2Z, POZ2, CON(OH)R2, CH SR2, CS R2 or CSZ; . 2 2 2 2 2 each Z independently represents a group OR or NR R ; each G is a 3 or 4 membered chain of carbon atoms and optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; each J is a 2 or 3 membered chain of carbon atoms and optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; each n is an integer 2 3 of 2 to 4, preferably 2 or 3 or in a group (CR R ) attached to a moiety R1 which represents a hydrogen atom or a group R4 n may also be zero or 1; m is an integer of 3 to 8, preferably 3 to 6; p is an integer of 1 to 3, preferably 1; 4 each R represents a hydrogen atom or a group R or together both groups R1 represent a carbon-carbon bond; . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a 0ν8 alkyl group optionally mono- or poly-substituted by 2 2 hydroxyl or CV8 alkoxy groups or NR R may together represent a nitrogen-attached 5 to 7 membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally containing as a further ring heteroatom a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and 4 optionally substituted by a group R ; . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C^g alkyl or C^g alkoxy group optionally mono or poly substituted by hydroxy or C^g alkoxy groups; and . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom, a IE 91189 halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated C^g alkyl, C^g alkoxy, (CV8 alkoxy)-CV8 alkyl or poly(C.,.8 alkoxy)-C1.8 alkyl group, a sulphonate 2 3 4 group or a group (CR R ) Y or two groups R on the same .2^3. ,2 3, .2„3, ring represent a (CR R )n_1 [X(CR R ),^,^ (CR R )η_τ group in which case the said ring may be saturated; with the provisos that at least 2 Y groups, preferably at least 3, are present, that where both groups R1 together form a bond, m is 4 or 5, all n are 2, one X is . . . . 2 2,6-pyndmdiyl and the remainder are NCHoC00R , then at ,2 least one R 4 .

R or R is other than hydrogen, and that . . . 1 4 alkylene moieties in groups R to R either at least one X group comprises an aromatic 1 heterocyclic group or both R groups together represent 2 3 a bond and two (CR R ) Y groups together represent a 2 3 Ρ 1 -(CR R ) - group or both R groups represent a bond, m is 6 or greater and two X groups separated by at least two other X groups are oxygen or sulphur atoms, and preferably that where m is 3 or 4, all n are 2, one X is 4-substituted-2,6-pyridindiyl, 2,5-furandiyl, 2,5pyrroldiyl, 2,5-thiophendiyl or l-hydroxy-2,6-phenylene and the remainder are NCH2 COOR2 or NH then at least one R2, R3 or R4 is other than hydrogen) or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

In the compounds of the invention, alkyl or unless otherwise stated, may be straight chained or branched and preferably contain from 1 to 6 and most preferably 1 to 4, carbon atoms. Where substituents may themselves optionally be substituted by hydroxyl or alkoxy groups, this may be monosubstitution or polysubstitution and, in the case of polysubstitution, alkoxy or hydroxyl substituents may be carried by alkoxy substituents.

Where, as is particularly preferred, the compounds . . · 1 of the invention incorporate one or more hydrophilic R to R groups, these are preferably straight-chained or branched moieties having a carbon atom content of from 1 to 8, especially preferably 1 to 6, carbon atoms. The IE 91189 - 6 hydrophilic groups may be alkoxy, polyalkoxy, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxypolyalkoxy, polyhydroxyalkoxy, polyhydroxylated polyalkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkoxyalkyl, hydroxylated alkoxyalkyl, polyhydroxylated alkoxyalkyl, hydroxylated polyalkoxyalkyl, or polyhydroxylated polyalkoxyalkyl groups. More preferably however they will be monohydroxyalkyl or polyhydroxyalkyl groups.

The hydrophilic groups serve to increase the hydrophilicity and reduce the lipophilicity of the metal \ chelates formed with the chelating agents of the invention and it is preferred that the compounds of formula I should contain at least 1, conveniently from 1 to 4, and preferably 1, 2 or 3 such hydrophilic groups. As hydrophilic groups, the compounds of the invention may thus include for example hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl, 1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxy-ethyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethoxymethyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)ethyl, etc, groups.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula I according to the invention include those of monocyclic structure containing at least 6 ring heteroatoms, those of fused bicyclic structure containing at least two ring heteroatoms in the smaller ring, and those of fused tricyclic or higher polycyclic structure.

In the compounds of the invention, the aromatic groups comprised by X groups preferably are pyridine, pyrazine, pyrrole, furan, phenol, pyrimidine or thiophene rings, especially pyridine rings. Where in a group X, E is COH, e.g. where X comprises a phenol group, it is especially preferred that an electron . . 4 withdrawing R substituent (e.g. a lower alkyl or halogen such as chlorine or methyl) should be present on the ring, preferably at the para position to the IE 91189 - Ί hydroxyl group. N-membered aromatic rings attached to the linear or cyclic skeleton of the molecule at the 2 and/or N-l” positions are especially preferred.

Moreover in the compounds according to the invention, adjacent X groups preferably do not both comprise such aromatic groups. Where the chelants of the invention contain fused saturated heterocyclic rings these preferably are piperazine, or 1,4-diazacycloheptane rings, especially piperazin-1,4-diyl groups.

Particularly preferably one, two or three X groups should comprise such aromatic groups, the remaining X groups, or all but one remaining X group being 3 . .

N(CR R ) Y groups. It is especially preferred that P groups X comprising no ionizing group Y should be non-adjacent particularly that they should adopt opposed positions in macrocyclic chelants, e.g. as the 1st and 5th X groups in an 8 X ring. Particularly preferred compounds of formula I include those of formulae Ib and Ic ( I c ) IE 91189 and in particular those of formulae Id to II.

(Id) IE 91189 IE 91189 (where A' is CHR Y or hydrogen, z is 1 or 2, t is 1 or 2 . 2, v is 0,1,2,3 or 4 and X is O or S).

Where a group NR2 m a compound according to the invention is a nitrogen attached heterocyclic ring, it will conveniently be of formula IE 91189 - 11 where q is 0,1 or 2, and W is CHR4 NR4 θ Qr . 4 is zero W preferably being CHR . Particularly preferably such groups are of formula where q In the compounds of formula I, the groups Y preferably represent carboxylic acid or amide groups, for example groups of formula COOH, CONH^, CONCHR4CHR4W(CHR4) CHR4, CONHR2 or CONR2 (where R2 is — — - A J an alkyl or mono or poly hydroxyalkyl group, for example a C- . alkyl group optionally carrying 1, 2, 3 or 4 hydroxyl groups). Particularly preferably, in the case where R1 are not bonds terminal X groups will comprise an aromatic heterocyclic group.

Where Y is a carboxyl group, the compounds of formula I can conveniently form salts or chelates in which Y represents -C00M (wherein M+ is a monovalent cation or a fraction of a polyvalent cation, for example an ammonium or substituted ammonium ion or a metal ion, for example an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion). Particularly preferably, M+ is a cation deriving from an organic base, for example meglumine or lysine.

In such salts or chelates one or more (but not necessarily all) of the carboxyl groups are transformed into COOM groups.

It is particularly preferred that the number of the ion-forming groups Y in the compounds of formula I be chosen to equal the valency of the metal species to be chelated by the compound formula I. Thus, for example, where Gd(III) is to be chelated, the compound of formula I (or salt thereof) preferably contains three or six IE 91189 ion-forming Y groups, for example -COOH (or -COOM). -In this way, the metal chelate will be formed as a neutral species, a form preferred since the osmolalities in concentrated solutions of such compounds are low and since their toxicities relative to their ionic analogues are significantly reduced.

Compounds of formula I in which all the Y groups are -COOH groups or salts or amides of such compounds are especially preferred since compositions containing metal chelates of such compounds can readily be sterilized, for example by autoclaving.

Included amongst the particularly preferred compounds according to the invention are those of . 2 formulae lb to Ii wherein each R represents a hydrogen atom or a mono- or poly-hydroxylated alkyl group, Y represents a group of formula COZ and Z represents a 2 hydroxyl group or a group NHR ) and metal chelates and salt thereof.

Especially preferred compounds according to the invention include those of the following formulae Im to Iw (Im) IE 91189 IE 91189 j30 (It) (lu) (Iv) (Iw) is (CH2)2 or (CH?) each r is 1 or 2, 6 t is 1 or is a carboxymethyl (where R 2 . 2, R is hydrogen or methyl, and R group or derivative thereof, e.g. CH COOH, CH2CON(CH3)CH2CHOHCH2OH, or CH2CONHR' (where R7 represents CH , CH2CHOHCH2OH or CH(CH2OH)2 or a group —CH CONCH-CHR W(CHR4 ) CH- where W represents an oxygen - 2'3' IE 91189 - 15 atom or a group CH or CHOH, q is 0 or 1 and R4 . i IS hydrogen or where q is 1 and W is oxygen each R may also represent a C^_4 hydroxyalkyl group) and the metal chelates and the salts thereof.

Particularly preferred compounds according to the invention include those of formulae Ij to Io wherein R6 is CH2COOH and the chelates, e.g. with Gd3+, and salts thereof.

Viewed from a further aspect, the invention also provides a process for the preparation of the compounds of the invention, said process comprising one or more of the following steps: (a) reacting a compound of formula II Ί ι τ'i ι ι 9*3’ 1 ' (II) 3 R to R or are a group X or a I protected group X with the proviso that at least one X . 2 ' 3 ' group is of formula NH or (CR R )pNH2) with a compound of formula III Lv-(CR2'r3') -Y' (HI) P ’ (where Y' is a group Y or a protected group Y, R and ' R are as hereinbefore defined and Lv is a leaving group for example a halogen atom, e.g. bromine or chlorine or a tosylate group) and if necessary subsequently removing any protecting groups used; and (b) converting a compound of formula I into a chelate complex or salt thereof.

The compounds of formula II are known from the literature or may be prepared in a number of ways using R (CR R ) [X (CR R ) ] R ' /nL v 'nJm ’ 3 1 (where R to R are as defined for 1 3 protected R to R groups, and X' is IE 91189 - 16 techniques known from the literature or analogous toliterature described techniques. Thus for example such compounds may be prepared by condensing mono or bifunctional heterocyclic compounds of formula IVa or IVb / R -N rt - I (IVa) ’ 3 ' (CR R ) K ' n ' N-(CRZ \ 2 ' 3 1 Z (CR R ) R )n_lC0R (IVb) 2*3’ 4 ’ 24 (where R , R and R are as defined for R to R or 4 12 are protected R to R groups and R is hydrogen, an . . 2*3' 3 ' amine protecting group or a group (CR R )n_j COR ) with a linking molecule of formula V Η[X(CR2’R3’) ]iX”H (V) . . 2 ' 3 ' (where ι is 1 to 5, R and R are as hereinbefore defined, mid-chain X groups, if any are groups X' and end of chain X groups are oxygen, sulphur or ring nitrogen atoms or, preferably, NH groups) followed if necessary by removal of any protecting groups and if necessary by reduction.

The compounds of formula II may also be prepared by activating starting compounds of formula V, e.g. by tosylation, and condensing the product with a mono or bifunctional heterocyclic compound of formulae VI or VII IE 91189 ' 3 1 (CR2 R3 ) Π / 11 9 · T ’ R -Ν x N- (CR R ) Lv \ 2 ' 3 ' / n (CR2 R3 )n (VII) . (where R is hydrogen, an amine protecting group or a ’ 3 1 group (CR R )nLv), followed by removal of the tosyl and other protecting groups.

Thus for example linear or cyclic compounds of formula II can be prepared using the following reaction schemes.

(A) o (e) CnClj hh2ch2ch2nh2 Cthanol o IE 91189 IE 91189 - 19 (Ο + WHJZHJWCH.CHJU —ISLEtbanol Π H1(Pd/C NH NH Ν' (0) NHj NH Ν H j -► T s n'h /Ts N H1 s Ethane I Water NaOH (e) K2C03 / --► K + HTs NTs NTs“K + DMF Ambient temperaiu re ( I I I ) IE 91189 - 20 No NTs TsN No (X ) Compounds of formula II containing a (CR2R3)n -Ν X NX 7 7 (CR2R3) group may be prepared by condensing a linear compound having active groups at each end with a compound of formula (CR2R3) HN (CR2R3)n HN IE 91189 - 21 for example as follows (H) Boc Boe Boc (XI ) ) NoH N N N OMt I I I Boc Boc Hoc (XII) (XII) (XIII) (XIV) The active linear compound of formula XII may of course be prepared by other routes, e.g.

IE 91189 - 22 BotNH illis (XV) Soc MsO N QMS Boe (xv) Bos» NoH (XII) Compounds of formula II containing a -N (CR2R3) X n \ N(CR2R3) group can also be prepared by condensing the • · . 2 3 corresponding compound in which one of these (CR R ) bridges is missing and the nitrogens carry hydrogens • . 2 ’ 3 1 instead with a compound of formula Lv-(CR R )nLv/ for example as follows This is described for example in J.Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1982,277.

In the reactions mentioned above, a starting material containing more than one heterocyclic ring may of course be used in place of the compound of formulae IVa,IVb,V,VI and VII.

IE 91189 - 23 This is exemplified by the following scheme: Combinations and extensions of these procedures may be used to prepare further compounds of formula II, e.g. by condensing a compound of formula VIIIB H[X(CR2*R3')n]m_1XH (VIIIB) with a compound of formula IX Lv-(CR2'R3') -X'-(CR2'R3')n~Lv (IX) or a compound of formula IXB Ts-ΓΧ(CR2'R3') ] ,X Ts L ' 'nJm-l (IXB) IE 91189 with a compound of formula XI ’ 3 ' LV-(CR R ) -LV v ' n (XI) followed by removal of the tosyl groups.

This may be illustrated by the reaction schemes: CT) fx) ,. Ts Ct / Et.j.0 NoOH /huo X. NaH z NTs Tj N -V )z Na Na (xn) I \ I \ TrCL OH NH OH 'S Ο *ΝΤί ΟΤ^ <·χ>ύ <>\ NTs Ts Μ Ts Ν ΗΝ ΝΗ Η ΝΙ (k) I-1 MjO 0^1 Nl' Ν ο; ΝΤγ ν ζ ΝΗ ΗΝ (XII) IE 91189 - 25 The precursors of formula II for dimeric macrocyclic chelants - i.e. compounds wherein two R groups on a cyclic X group together represent a group (CR^3)^ [X(CR2R3)Jm.l(CR2R3)n.1 - can be prepared for example by a condensation equivalent to those of the schemes above using a tetrafunctional precursor for the cyclic X group and bifunctional co-reagents. It may be desirable to utilize aromatic tetrafunctional precursors and subsequently to reduce the product, e.g. by high pressure catalytic hydrogenation. Thus compounds of formula II may be prepared by the following scheme: (L) Further reaction schemes for the production of compounds of formula II will be evident to the skilled chemist from the literature, e.g. Tabushi et al. Tetr.

IE 91189 - 26 Lett. 4339 (1976) and 1049 (1977), Richmann et al. JACS 96: 2268 (1974), Nelson, Pure and Applied Chemistry 52: 461-476 (1980). Moi et al. JACS 110: 6266 (1988), EP-A-287465 (Guerbet), Stetter et al. Tetrahedron 37: 767 (1981), EP- A-232751 (Squibb), J. Chem. Soc. Commun. 277 (1982). Hancock et al. JACS 110: 2788-2794 (1988), Smith et al. JACS 111: 7437-7443 (1989) and the references listed therein. 3 To introduce a (CR R ) Y group onto a compound of formula II using the precedure of step (a) may be effected in an aqueous, preferably basic, medium, for . 2 ' 3 1 example by using a halocarboxylic acid Hal(CR R )COOH or a metal, e.g. Li, salt thereof (where Hal is bromine or chlorine) followed by amidation or esterification of the carboxyl group. . . 2 3 The introduction of (CR R ) Y moiety other than a carboxylic acid residue may for example be performed as follows: a) To introduce a phosphonic acid moiety, the general method for synthesis of alpha-aminophosphonic acids described by K.Moedritzer et al. in J.Org.Chem 31: 1603 (1966) may be used.

R17NH ch2o r17 nch2po3h2 ------> (XVII) (XVIII) (of formula II) (of formula I) (where R17NCH2Y is a compound of formula I) · IE 91189 - 27 b) To introduce a hydroxamic acid moiety, the general method for transformation of an activated acid derivative into hydroxamic acid described by P.N.Turowski et al. in Inorg. Chem. 27.: 474 (1988) may be used. o (XIX) (XX) Ί R (where R N(CH COOHJCHjY is a compound of formula I). c) To introduce a sulfonic acid moiety, synthesis may be performed by alkylation of an amino function for example with iodomethanesulfonic acid r17nh ich2so2h r17nch2so2h -> (XVII) (XXI) Amide derivatives of formula I may be produced from the oligo acids by methods analogous to those of EP—A—250358 or of EP-A-299795. Furthermore hydrophilic substituents on the skeleton of the linear or cyclic chelants of formula I may be introduced by methods IE 91189 - 28 analogous to those of EP-A-299795.

Chelants of formula I may be used as the basis for bifunctional chelants or for polychelant compounds, that is compounds containing several independant chelant 1 4 groups, by substituting for one Y or R to R group a bond or linkage to a macromolecule or polymer, e.g. a tissue specific biomolecule or a backbone polymer such as polylysine or polyethyleneimine which may carry several chelant groups and may itself be attached to a macromolecule to produce a bifunctional-polychelant.

Such macromolecular derivatives of the compounds of formula I and the metal chelates and salts thereof form a- further aspect of the present invention.

The linkage of a compound of formula I to a macromolecule or backbone polymer may be effected by any of the conventional methods such as the carbodiimide method, the mixed anhydride procedure of Krejcarek et al. (see Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 77 : 581 (1977) ) , the cyclic anhydride method of Hnatowich et al. (see Science 220: 613 (1983) and elsewhere), the backbone conjugation techniques of Meares et al. (see Anal. Biochem. 142: 68. (1984) and elsewhere) and Schering (see EP-A-331616 for example) and by the use of linker molecules as described for example by Nycomed in WO-A-89/06979.

Salt and chelate formation may be performed in a conventional manner.

The chelating agents of the formula I (as defined above but with the deletion of the second proviso) are particularly suitable for use in detoxification or in the formation of metal chelates, chelates which may be used for example in or as contrast agents for in vivo or in vitro magnetic resonance (MR), X-ray or ultrasound diagnostics (e.g. MR imaging and MR spectroscopy), or scintigraphy or in or as therapeutic agents for radiotherapy, and such uses of these metal chelates form a further aspect of the present invention.

IE 91189 - 29 Salts or chelate complexes of the compounds of the invention containing a heavy metal atom or ion are particularly useful in diagnostic imaging or therapy-.

Especially preferred are salts or complexes with metals of atomic numbers 20-32,42-44,49 and 57 to 83, especially Gd, Dy and Yb. For use as an MR-diagnostics contrast agent, the chelated metal species is particularly suitably a paramagnetic species, the metal conveniently being a transition metal or a lanthanide, preferably having an atomic number of 21-29, 42, 44 or 57-71. Metal chelates in which the metal species is Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Cr, Mn or Fe are especially preferred and 3+ 2+ 3+ Gd , Mn and Dy are particularly preferred.

Chelates of ions of these metals specifically listed above with chelants of formula I (defined as above with the exclusion of the second proviso) or their salts with physiologically tolerable counterions are particularly useful for the diagnostic imaging procedures mentioned herein and they and their use are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention and references to chelates of compounds of formula I herein are consequently to be taken to include such chelates.

For use as contrast agents in MRI, the paramagnetic metal species is conveniently non-radioactive as radioactivity is a characteristic which is neither required nor desirable for MR-diagnostics contrast agents. For use as X-ray or ultrasound contrast agents, the chelated metal species is preferably a heavy metal species, for example a non-radioactive metal with an atomic number greater than 37, preferably greater than 3 + 50, e.g. Dy For use in scintigraphy and radiotherapy, the chelated metal species must of course be radioactive and any conventional complexable radioactive metal isotope, such as 99mTc or 111In for example, may be used. For radiotherapy, the chelating agent may be in the form of a metal chelate with for example 153Sm, 67Cu or 90Y.

IE 91189 - 30 For use in detoxification of heavy metals, the chelating agent must be in weak complex or salt form with a physiologically acceptable counterion, e.g. sodium, calcium, ammonium, zinc or meglumine, e.g. as the sodium salt of the chelate of the compound of formula I with zinc or calcium.

Where the metal chelate carries an overall charge, such as is the case with the prior art Gd DTPA, it will conveniently be used in the form of a salt with a physiologically acceptable counterion, for example an ammonium, substituted ammonium, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal (e.g. calcium) cation or an anion deriving from an inorganic or organic acid. In this regard, meglumine salts are particularly preferred.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a diagnostic or therapeutic composition comprising a metal chelate, whereof the chelating entity is the residue of a compound of formula I according to the present invention, together with at least one pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier or excipient, or adapted for formulation therewith or for inclusion in a pharmaceutical formulation for human or veterinary use.

Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides a detoxification agent comprising a chelating agent according to the invention in the form of a weak complex or salt with a physiologically acceptable counterion, together with at least one pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier or excipient, or adapted for formulation therewith or for inclusion in a pharmaceutical formulation for human or veterinary use.

The diagnostic and therapeutic agents of the present invention may be formulated with conventional pharmaceutical or veterinary formulation aids, for example stablizers, antioxidants, osmolality adjusting agents, buffers, pH adjusting agents, etc. and may be in a form suitable for parenteral or enteral administration, for example injection or infusion or IE 91189 - 31 administration directly into a body cavity having an external escape duct, for example the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder or the uterus. Thus the compositions of the present invention may be in conventional pharmaceutical administration forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, dispersions, syrups, suppositories, etc; however, solutions, suspensions and dispersions in physiologically acceptable carrier media, for example water for injections, will generally be preferred.

The compounds according to the invention may therefore be formulated for administration using physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients in a manner fully within the skill of the art. For example, the compounds, optionally with the addition of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, may be suspended or dissolved in an aqueous medium, with the resulting solution or suspension then being sterilized. Suitable additives include, for example, physiologically biocompatible buffers (as for example, tromethamine hydrochloride), additions (e.g., 0.01 to 10 mole percent) of chelants (such as, for example,. DTPA, DTPA-bisamide or non-complexed chelants of formula I) or calcium chelate complexes (as for example calcium DTPA, CaNaDTPA-bisamide, calcium salts or chelates of chelants of formula I), or, optionally, additions (e.g., 1 to 50 mole percent) of calcium of sodium salts (for example, calcium chloride, calcium ascorbate, calcium gluconate or calcium lactate combined with metal chelate complexes of chelants formula I and the like).

If the compounds are to be formulated in suspension form, e.g., in water or physiological saline for oral administration, a small amount of soluble chelate may be mixed with one or more of the inactive ingredients traditionally present in oral solutions and/or surfactants and/or aromatics for flavouring.

IE 91189 - 32 For MRI and for X-ray imaging of some portions of the body the most preferred mode for administering metal chelates as contrast agents is parentral, e.g., intravenous administration. Parenterally administrable forms, e.g., intravenous solutions, should be sterile and free from physiologically unacceptable agents, and should have low osmolality to minimize irritation or other adverse effects upon administration, and thus the contrast medium should preferably be isotonic or slightly hypertonic. Suitable vehicles include aqueous vehicles customarily used for administering parenteral solutions such as Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection and other solutions such as are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15th ed., Easton: Mack Publishing Co., pages. 1405-1412 and 1461-1487 (1975) and The National Formulary XIV, 14th ed. Washington: American Pharmaceutical Association (1975). The solutions can contain preservatives, antimicrobial agents, buffers and antioxidants conventionally used for parenteral solutions, excipients and other .additives which are compatible with the chelates and which will not interfere with the manufacture, storage or use of products.

Where the diagnostic or therapeutic agent comprises a chelate or salt of a toxic metal species, e.g. a heavy metal ion, it may be desirable to include within the formulation a slight excess of the chelating agent, e.g. as discussed by Schering in DE-A-3640708, or more preferably a slight excess of the calcium salt of such a chelating agent. For MR-diagnostic examination, the diagnostic agent of the present invention, if in solution, suspension or dispersion form, will generally contain the metal chelate at concentration in the range 1 micromole to 1.5 mole per litre, preferably 0.1 to 700mM. The diagnostic agent may however be supplied in a IE 91189 - 33 more concentrated form for dilution prior to administration. The diagnostic agent of the invention . . . . —3 may conveniently be administered in amounts of from -10 to 3 mmol of the metal species per kilogram of body weight, e.g. about 1 mmol Dy/kg bodyweight.

For X-ray examination, the dose of the contrast agent should generally be higher and for scintigraphic examination the dose should generally be lower than for MR examination. For radiotherapy and detoxification, conventional dosages may be used.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of generating enhanced images of the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a diagnostic agent according to the present invention and generating an X-ray, MR, ultrasound or scintigraphic image of at least a part said body.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of radiotherapy practised on the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a chelate of a radioactive metal species with a chelating agent according to the invention.

Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of heavy metal detoxification practised on the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a chelating agent according to the invention in the form of a weak complex or salt with a physiologically acceptable counterion.

Viewed from a yet further aspect, the present invention also provides the use of the compounds, especially the metal chelates, according to the invention for the manufacture of diagnostic or therapeutic agents for use in methods of image generation, detoxification or radiotherapy practised on the human or non-human animal body.

IE 91189 - 34 Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of the metal chelates of the invention which process comprises admixing in a solvent a compound of formula I or a salt (e.g. the sodium salt) or chelate thereof together with an at least sparingly soluble compound of said metal, for example a chloride, oxide, acetate or carbonate.

Viewed from a yet still further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of the diagnostic or therapeutic agent of the present invention, which comprises admixing a metal chelate according to the invention, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier or excipient.

Viewed from a yet still further aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of the detoxification agent of the invention, which comprises admixing a chelating agent according to the invention in the form of a weak complex or salt with a physiologically acceptable counterion, together with at least one pharmaceutical or veterinary carrier or excipient.

The disclosures of all of the documents mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.

The present invention will now be illustrated further by the following non-limiting Examples. All ratios and percentages given herein are by weight and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius unless otherwise indicated.

IE 91189 - 35 Example 1 [18]Ν6ΗθΟ4(ργ)2 (a) [Ca[18]N6H4(py)2]Cl2.3H2O To a stired solution of 2,6-diformyl-pyridine (1.306 g, 9.662 mmol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.71 g, 4.83 mmol) in 80 mL of methanol was added ethylenediamine (0.646 mL, 9.662 mmol). The solution was refluxed for 3 hours, stirred at ambient temperature for 15 hours, and stripped to dryness. The resulting solid was taken up in 10 mL of ethanol, and ethyl acetate added until precipitation ceased, giving 2.214 g (94%) of the title IE 91189 product as the trihydrate. 1H NMR (MeOD) : δ 3.9(s, 8H), 7.85-8.23(m, 6H), 8.67(s, 4H) . (b) [18]N6H8(py)2 To a stirred solution of [Ca[181N^H.(py)„1Cl„.3H„O (500mg, 0.93 mmol) in 50 ml of ethanol at ambient temperature was added sodium borohydride (0.2184 mg, .58 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 3 hours, stirred at ambient temperature overnight, stripped to dryness, and diluted with 100 mL of water. The water layer was extracted with methylene chloride (2 x 250 mL) and the combined organic layers dried over K2CC>2. Evaporation of the solvent gave 162 mg (52%) of the title product as a white solid. 1H NMR (MeOD) : & 2.73(s, 8H) , 2.80-3.0(br s, 4H) , 3.78(s, 8H), 6.90-7.60(m, 6H).

IE 91189 - 37 (c) [181NgHgOAlp.y.).2 [18]N-H_(py)_ (162 mg, 0.49 mmol) in 50 mL of o o z ethanol/water (1/1) is placed in a 100 mL three neck round-bottom flask equipped with two addition funnels, pH electrode, thermometer, and stir bar. NaOH (199 mg, 4.98 mmol) and BrCH2CO2H (346 mg, 2.49 mmol) are each dissolved in 10 mL of water and the resulting solutions placed in the two addition funnels. The solution of NaOH is added to the amine solution to bring the pH to 10.5. The temperature is raised to 50°C and the BrCH2CO2H and NaOH solutions are added concurrently over a24 hour period maintaining the pH at 11 during the addition. When the pH no longer drops, the reaction mixture is stirred at 75°C for 4 hours, cooled to ambient temperature and stripped to dyness. The solid is taken up in 5 mL of water, the pH adjusted to 3 and the solution applied to AG50-X8(200-400 mesh, H+) resin and the title product eluted with IN NH4OH.

Example 2 [18](Me)4N6H4O4(py)2 IE 91189 - 38 (a) [Ca[18](Me)4N6(py)2]Cl2.6H2O To a stirred solution of 2,6-diacetyl-pyridine (50.0 g, 0.306 mol) and calcium chloride dihydrate (22.49 g, 0.153 mol) in 600 mL of methanol was added ethylenediamine (20.42 mL, 0.306 mol). The solution was heated at 55°C for 3 hours and then stirred at 25 °C for 15 hours and stripped to dryness to leave a pale yellow-orange solid. The addition of ethanol (200 ml) followed by methylene chloride (200 mL) produced 60 g (66%) of a pale yellow solid isolated as the hexahydrate. 1H NMR (MeOD) :6 2.56(s, 12H), 3.98(s, 8H), 8.18-8.26(m, 6H). FAB Mass Spectrum, m/z : 449 (MH+-C1), 413 (MH+-2C1).

IE 91189 - 39 To a stirred solution of [Ca[18](Me)4Ng(py)2]C12.6H2O (20 g, 33.9 mmol) in 600 mL of ethanol at ambient temperature was added sodium borohydride (9.2 g, 242mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 6 hours, cooled to ambient temperature, stripped to dryness and diluted with 100 mL of water. After adjusting the pH to 10, the water layer was extracted with methylene chloride (3 x 200 mL) and the combined organic layer dried over K2CO3· Evaporation of the solvent gave a pale yellow solid which was triturated with ether and collected by suction filtration to give 8.61 g (58%) of the title product as the dihydrate. 1H NMR (CDC13) :S 1.24-1.52 (m, 12H), 2.1-2.8 (m, 12H), 2.7-2.9 (m, 4H), 6.9-7.7 (m, 6H).

FAB Mass Spectrum, m/z : 383 (MH ). (c) ri8.1(Me).4N^H4O4.(py)2 [18](Me)4N6H4O4(py)2.2H2O (8.00 g, 19 mmol) in 250 ml of ethanol/water (1/1) was placed in a 500 ml three neck round-bottom flask equipped with two addition funnels, pH electrode, thermometer, and stir bar. NaOH (7.66 g, 191 mmol) and BrCH2CO2H (13.28 g, 95.6 mmol) were each dissolved in 30 ml of water and the resulting solutions placed in the two addition funnels. The solution of NaOH was added to the amine solution to bring the pH to 10.5. The temperature was raised to 50°C and the BrCH2CO2H and NaOH solutions were added concurrently over a 24 hour period maintaining the pH at 11 during the addition. When the pH no longer dropped the reaction mixture was stirred at 75°C for 4 hours, cooled to ambient temperature and stripped to dryness. The solid was dissolved in 30 ml of water and adjusted to pH 3 using IN NaOH. The solution was applied to AG50-X8 (200-400 mesh, H+) resin and the product eluted with IN NH4OH to yield 10.93 g of the title product as the ammonium salt.

IE 91189 - 40 13c NMR(D2O) :5 (ppm) 15.58, 48.83, 54.26, 60.97, 121.24, 137.5, 159.80, 172.52.

Example 3 [12]N4O3(py) a) 2,6—Di(bromomethvl) pyridine 2,6-Di(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (10.0 g; 71.8 mmol) and hydrobromic acid (42% solution in water; 100 ml, 70 mmol) were heated under reflux for 2 hours. The resulting solution was cooled to 0°C, neutralized by slow addition of a 40% w/w solution of sodium hydroxide in water (87 ml), diluted with water (200 ml) and extracted with dichloromethane (5x100 ml). The combined organic phases were concentrated in vacuo to yield a red solid (about 10 g). This was chromatographed on silica gel (170 g) and eluted with dichloromethane to yield 3.75 g (20%) of the title product. 1H NMR(CDC13) : δ 7.69(t, 1H) , 7.35(d, 2H) , 4.51(s, 4H) .

IE 91189 - 41 b) [12]N4(py)(Ts)3 Route A To a solution of the tritosylate of diethylenetriamine (4.59 g; 8.113 mmol) in dimethylformamide (100 mL) heated at 110°C, was added NaH (60% dispersion; 0.7 5 g) under a nitrogen atompshere. The resultant white suspension, and also a solution of 2,6-di(bromomethyl) pyridine (1.5 g; 8.113 mmol) in DMF (80 ml) at 110°C were dripped separately and simultaneously into DMF (100 mL) also maintained at 110°C. After 2 1/2 hours of vigorous stirring at this temperature, the solution was cooled and then concentrated to dryness in vacuo. Water (150 ml) was added and the beige precipitate collected by suction filtration. Dichloromethane (250 mL) was added to the solid, followed by water (200 mL), and after shaking the organic phase collected via a separating funnel. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2X100 mL) and the combined organic fractions dried (MgSC>4) and concentrated in vacuo to a solid (about 5.6g). Purification on silica gel (200 g) eluting with IE 91189 - 42 chloroform/acetone (95:5) afforded the title product as a white crystalline solid (2.43 g; 45%). 1H NMR(CDC13) :6 7.24-7.74(m, 15H); 4.26 (s, 4H); 3.3(t, 4H); 2.71(s, 4H) ; 2.4(d, 9H).

Route B 2.6- Di(bromomethyl)pyridine (5.0 g; 19 mmol; 0.86 eq) in dimethylformamide (200 ml) was dripped over a period of 10 hours into a mixture of the tritosylate of diethylenetriamine (12.72 g; 22 mmol) and potassium carbonate (7.154 g; 58 mmol) in DMF (375 mL), stirring at 25 °C. After stirring for 15 hours at 25 °C the excess potassium carbonate was removed by suction filtration and the filtrate concentrated to about 120 mL. Water (250 mL) was added and the white precipitate removed by suction filtration and washed with water until the ensuing filtrate was neutral pH. Excess tritosylate was precipitated by adding chloroform to the solid residue, the precipitate was removed by suction filtration and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to a white solid (16 g). This solid was chromatographed on silica gel (600 g) and eluted with chloroform to yield 12.3 g of the title product (97% with respect to 2.6- dibromomethylpyridine; 82% with respect to diethylenetriamine tritosylate). 1H NMR(CDC13):5 7.24-7.74(m, 15H); 4.26(s, 4H); 2.71(s, 4H); 2.40(d, 9H). 4H); 3.30(t, IE 91189 - 43 (c) [12]N4(py) A-mixture of [12]N4(py) (Ts) (56.6 g? 84 mmol) and phenol (90 g) in a solution of HBr in acetic acid (30% w/w; 1000 mL) was stirred at 80°C for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and was then poured into ice-water (1000 mL) . With vigorous stirring, diethylether (1500 mL) was added, followed by ethanol (1500 mL). After 5 minutes, the mixture was allowed to stand, whereupon a white precipitate began to settle.

The solid was removed by suction filtration, washed with ethanol and dried under vacuum. The off-white solid (about 38 g) was dissolved in water (100 mL) and passed through a bed of AG 1X-8 anion-exchange resin (hydroxide form, 560 g). The water was then removed by roto-evaporation to yield the title product as a white solid (15 g; 85%). 1H NMR(D2O) :6 7.5(t, IH); 7.0(d, 2H); 3.76(s, 4H); 2.60(s, 4H); 1.8(s, 4H).

Mass Spectrum : (M+H+) 207.3. (d) J..12 1 N4O3.(py) Chloroacetic acid (24 g; 254 mmol) in water (500 ml) was adjusted to pH 7 with NaOH solution. This was added dropwise to a solution of [12]N4(py) (15.00 g; 727 mmol) in water maintained at a temperature of 95 °C. During IE 91189 the addition, the pH is maintained at pH 9-10 by the addition of IN NaOH solution. When addition was complete, the reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 3 · using IN HCl solution and concentrated to a solid.

Water (150 mL) was added, the pH readjusted to pH 7 and the sample applied to a bed of AG 1X-8 anion-exchange resin (100-200 mesh, acetate form, 1.5 L). The column was eluted with an aqueous acetic acid solution to yield 10.2 g (37%) of the title product. 1H NMR(D2O) :5 7.72(t, 1H) ; 7.2(d, 2H) ; 4.56(s, 4H) ; 3.78(s, 4H); 2.76(s, 4H).

Example 4 1,4,7,10,13-Pentaazabicyclor11.2.21heptadecane4,7,10—trisfacetic acid) (Γ 151N,-O3 (pip) ) HOOC COOH a) N, Ο-Bis ( tosyl)ethanolamine To a solution of tosyl chloride (100 g, 520 mmol) in 56 ml of dry pyridine, was added dropwise ethanolamine (15 ml, 250 mmol) in 65 ml of pyridine. The temperature was held below 5°C, and vigorous stirring was maintained together with a steady flow of nitrogen gas. After the addition was completed, the mixture was allowed to stir at ambient temperature overnight. The solution was then cooled to 5°C, and 500 mL of ice-water was added slowly.

IE 91189 - 45 Precipitated solid was separated by filtration and washed with water. Crystallization from methanol (150 ml) gave 56.4 g (62%) of the title product. 1H NMR(CDC13):S 2.45(s, 3H), 2.6(s, 3H), 3.2(m, 2H), 4.1(t, 2H), 5.0(t, IH), 7.3-7.7(m, 8H). b) N-Tosylaziridine To a vigorously stirred suspension of N,O-bis(tosyl)ethanolamine (40 g, 110 mmol) in 500 ml of toluene was added KOH (20% solution in water, 140 ml) over a period of 0.5 hour. After stirring for an additional 2 hours, the water phase was removed, and the organic layer was washed with water (3 x 150 ml) and dried over MgSO^. After filtration, toluene was evaporated to give 20.1 g (92.5%) of the title product. 1H NMR(CDC13) : δ 2.4(s, 4H) , 2.5(s, 3H) , 7.4(d, 2H) , 7.8(d, 2H) . c) Ν,N'-Bis(N-tosylaminoethyl)piperazine Ν Η T s T s Ν H Piperazine (22.0 g, 255 mmol) and N-tosylaziridine (105.5 g, 530 mmol) were refluxed in 650 ml of acetonitrile for 18 hours. After the solution had been cooled to ambient temperature, the precipitated product was separated by filtration, washed with cold IE 91189 - 46 acetonitrile and dried in vacuo to yield 83.7 g (68%) of the title product. 1H NMR(CDC13) :6 2.5(s, 6H) , 2.4(t, 4H) , 2.9(t, 4H)-, 2.3(s, 8H). d) 4,7,10-Tris(tosyl)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazabicvcloi11.2.21-heptadecane Ν,N'-Bis(N-tosylaminoethyl)piperazine (4.0 g, 8.7 mmol) was dissolved in 200 ml of DMF, and Cs2CC>3 (6.0 g, 18.4 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 110°C for 2 hours before N,N-bis(tosyloxyethyl)amine (4.9 g, 8.6 mmol - prepared as described by Guerbet in EP-A-287465) in 80 ml of DMF was added dropwise over 0.5 hour. Stirring at 110°C was maintained for an additional 3 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness. The resulting solid was stirred in CH2C12 overnight. Undissolved material was filtered, and the solution was evaporated to dryness. The resulting solid was stirred in acetone for 19 hours. The precipitated product was separated by filtration to yield 1.3 g (21%) of the title product. 13C NMR(CDC13):6 21.8, 47.8, 49.6, 50.3, 57.9, 127.6, 130.1, 136.0, 143.8. e) 1,4,7,10,13-Pentaazabicyclo Γ11.2.21 heptadecane HBr in acetic acid (32% w/w, 82 ml) was added.to a mixture of phenol (4.3 g, 46 mmol) and 4,7,10tris(tosyl)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecane (2.06 g, 3 mmol). The solution was stirred at 70°C for 24 hours. The temperature was raised to 85°C, and stirring was continued for 5.5 hours. The solution was allowed to cool to ambient temperature.

Precipitated solid was collected and triturated with ether and cold ethanol. The solid was then dissolved in water and passed down a Dowex AGI-8X column. Water was IE 91189 - 47 removed. Drying of the solid overnight yielded 0.32 g (50%) of the title product. 1H NMR(CDC13):5 2.4(br s, 12H), 2.7(br s,12H) f) 1,4,7,10,13-Pentaazabicyclo Γ11·2.21heptadcane4,7,10-tris(acetic acid) (Γ151Ν3Ο3(pip)) Bromoacetic acid (2.57 g, 19 mmol) is disolved in water, and LiOH (0.77 g, 19 mmol) is carefully added at 5°C. This solution is added to a solution of 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazabicyclo[ll.2.2]heptadecane (1.3 g, 5.4 mmol) in water (2.5 ml). The mixture is heated to 60°C, while the pH is held between 9 and 10 with addition of 4 M LiOH. After 2 hours, the temperature is increased to 80°C. Stirring is maintained at this temperature for 45 minutes following the addition of LiOH. The mixture is then cooled to ambient temperature and neutralized with HBr. The volume is reduced to 2 ml, and then the mixture is loaded onto a Dowex 1-X8 column (acetate, 50-100 mesh). The material is eluted with deionized water, then IN, 2N, 3N and 4N acetic acid.. Fractions containing product are concentrated by rotary evaporation, and repeatedly reconcentrated with several portions of deionized water until the title product is obtained as an acetate-free solid.

IE 91189 - 48 Example 5 [15]N5O3(py) 2 The title compound is prepared from 2,6—di(hydroxymethyl)—pyridine, reacted with HBr to form 2-bromomethyl-6-hydroxy-methylpyridine, condensed with 2-aminomethyl-6-hydroxy-methylpyridine, then pertosylated and cyclized with the sodium salt of bistosyl- ethylenediamine, detosylated with HBr and acetic acid and alkylated with chloroacetic acid (see Scheme (I)).

Example 6 N,N-Bis(pyrid-2-yl-methyl)-diethylenetriamine-N,N1, Ntriacetic acid(Bis(py)DTTA) IE 91189 - 49 a) N,N1'-Bis (pyrid-2-yl-methyl)diethylenetriamine Diethylenetriamine (76 g, 0.75 mol) and pyridine-2- carboxaldehyde (174 g, 1.62 mol) in 2.5 L of absolute ethanol were heated for 2 hours at 50 °C with stirring. After the reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, 25 g of 10% palladium on charcoal was added and the schiff base hydrogenated at slightly greater than 1 atmosphere of hydrogen, over a 48-hour period.

The catalyst was removed by filtration, the filtrate adjusted to pH 4 with HCl gas and then lowered to pH 1 using 12 N HCL. The resulting precipitate was removed ι by suction filtration, washed with absolute ethanol until the washings were colourless, and recrystallized from 95% ethanol. This hydrochloride salt was then dissolved in 500 mL of water and neutralized with 5 N NaOH, then raised to pH 12.5, and the free base, the title compound, was extracted with methylene chloride (4 x 500 mL). The methylene chloride solution was dried to give 136 g (65%) of a pale yellow oil. NMR (D20) : δ 2.46 (s, 8H), 3.55 (s, 4H), 7.10 (m, 4H), 7.55 (t, J=12.5 Hz, 2H), 8.25 (d, J=10 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (t, J=10 Hz, 2H), 8.40 (d, J=10 Hz, 2H). (Preparation of the trihydrochloride salt is also described in Inorg. Chem. 17.: 889 (1978)). b) Ν, N 1 '-Bis(pyrid-2-yl-methyl)-Ν,N1,N1 1-tris (tbutylcarboxymethyl)diethylenetriamine To a solution of N, N*’-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)diethylenetriamine (23.6 g, 82.6 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (53.4 g, 0.4 mol) in 1.2 L of methylene chloride at ambient temperature was added dropwise t-butylbromoacetate (50 g, 0.2 mol) in 300 mL of methylene chloride. After being stirred for 24 hours, the solution was evaporated to dryness and placed under vacuum for 2 hours to remove excess diisopropylethylamine. The crude solid was taken up in IE 91189 - 50 1.5 L of methylene chloride, washed with 0.2 N NaOH, water (2 x 250 mL) , brine (200 mL) and dried (MgSO4) .

The methylene chloride was removed, 200 mL of ethyl acetate added and this solution passed through 300 g of silica gel in a BCichner funnel using EtOAc to elute the product. The pure fractions (TLC: methanol:CH2C12 (3:7)) were combined to give 40.6 g (79.5%) of the title compound. NMR (CDC13) S 1.26 (s, 9H) , 6 1.31 (s, 18H) , 2.62 (s, 8H), 3.12 (S, 2H), 3.17 (s, 4H), 3.78 (s, 4H), 7.02 (t, J=10 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=10 Hz, 2H). c) Ν,Ν11-Bis(pvrid-2-yl-methyl)diethylenetriamineΝ,Ν1 ,N' '-triacetic acid The tris(t-butylcarboxymethyl)ester (24.89g, 0.1 mol) of step (b) was dissolved in a solution of 600 mL of methylene chloride containing 380 mL of trifluoroacetic acid. The solution was stirred for 48 hours, evaporated under reduced pressure and diluted with 50 mL of water. This solution was applied to 200 mL of AG50-X8 (H+ form, 100-200 mesh) and after washing with water until neutral, the product was eluted with IN NH40H. After removal of NH4OH solution, the product was taken up in 24 mL of water, and the solution was adjusted to pH 10 and then applied to AG1-X8 (acetate, 100-200 mesh). The column was washed with three bed volumes of water and the product eluted with 2 N HOAc to give 12.0 g (69%) of the title product after several lyophilizations. NMR (D20) δ 3.02 (t, J=6 Hz, 4H), 3.08 (t, J=6 Hz, 4H), 3.14 (s, 4H), 3.41 (s, 2H), 4.08 (s, 4H), 7.52 (m, 4H), 8.05 (t, J=10 Hz, 4H), 8.40 (d, J=10 Hz, 2H).

IE 91189 - 51 Example 7 [17]N5O3(pip) The title compound is prepared from 1,4-di(3-aminopropyl)-piperazine and di(hydroxyethyl)amine by the method of Scheme (J) followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 8 [12]N4O2(pip) HOOC COOH IE 91189 - 52 A) The title compound is prepared by reaction of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane and 1,2-dibromoethane (according to the method of J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 227 (1982)), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

B) The title compound is prepared by reaction of the bis-tosylate of 1,4-di(hydroxyethyl)piperazine with the sodium salt of bistosyl- ethylenediamine by the method of Scheme (F), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 9 [14]N4O2(pip) V X The title compound is prepared by reaction of the sodium salt of the bistosylate of 1,4-di(3-aminopropyl)piperazine with mesylated ethan-1,2-diol by the method of scheme (K), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 10 [15]N5O2(py)(pip) IE 91189 HOOC COOH The title compound is prepared by reaction of 2,6diformyl-pyridine with 1,4-di(2-aminoethyl)piperazine by the method of scheme (G), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 11 [15](Me)2N5O2(py)(pip) HOOC -Ν N- COOH IE 91189 - 54 The title compound is prepared by reaction of 2,6diacetyl-pyridine with 1,4-di(2-aminoethyl)piperazine by the method of scheme (G), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 12 [17]N5O2(py)(pip) The title compound is prepared by reaction of 2,6diformyl-pyridine with 1,4-di(3-aminopropyl)piperazine by the method of scheme (G), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

IE 91189 - 55 Example 13 [17](Me)2N5O2(py)(pip) The title compound is prepared by reaction of 2,6diacetyl-pyridine with 1,4-di(3-aminopropyl)piperazine by the method of scheme (G), followed by alkylation with bromoacetic acid.

Example 14 [24 ] N8H8O6 (py) 2 - 56 IE 91189 (a) Tetraimine and bisimine/bisimidazolidine To a solution of diethylenetriamine (0.76 g, 7.40 mmol) in 200 mL of acetonitrile at ambient temperature diformylpyridine (1.00 g, 7.40 mmol) in 130 mL of acetonitrile was added dropwise over 4 hours. The solution was stirred overnight and the white precipitate formed was removed by filtration, and washed with acetonitrile to yield 1.21 g (81%) of the tetraimine and bisimine/bisimidazolidine title products as a mixture (about 1:1). 1H NMR (CD3OD) : δ 2.5 - 3.75 (m, 17 H) ; 4.25 (s, 3 H); 7.25 - 7.75 (m, 6 H). FAB mass spectrum, m/z: 4 0 5.

IE 91189 - 57 (b) [ 24 ] NgHg (py) 2 The tetraiminezbisimine/bisimidazolidine (3.00 g, 7.42 mmol) was added to a suspension of sodium borohydride (1.17 9, 31 mmol) in 100 mL of ethanol. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at ambient temperature, refluxed for 0.5 hours, and then stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then stripped to dryness, 20 mL of water was added and the product was extracted with chloroform (6 x 100 mL), and dried (MgSO4) to give 2.70 g (88% yield) of the title compound as a pale yellow oil. 1H NMR (CD3OD) : 6 2.55 (br s, 16H,); δ 3.71 (s, 8H); 7.10 (d, J = 10 Hz, 4H); δ 7.55 (t, J = 10 Hz , 2H) .

IE 91189 - 58 (c) [ 24 ] NgHgO6(py) 2 The amine (1.34 g, 3.24 mmol) of step (b) and diisopropylethylamine (3.55 g, 25.9 mmol) were dissolved in 125 mL of methylene chloride and to this was added neat t-butylbromoacetate (4.11 g, 3.40 mL, 21.06 mmol) all at once. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature, refluxed for 0.5 hour, cooled, and stripped to dryness. The resulting oil was taken up in 400 mL of methylene chloride, washed with water (2 x 100 mL) , brine (100 mL) and dried (MgS04) . The product was purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with methamol: CH2C12 (5:95) to yield the hexa-t-butyl ester. 1H NMR (CDC13) : 1.36 (br s, 54H) ; δ 2.61 (br s, 16H) ; 5 3.20 (br s, 12H); δ 3.75 (br s, 8H); δ 7.15-7.25 (m, 6H). The material was taken up in 100 mL of methylene chloride and 100 mL of trifluoroacetic acid, stirred overnight and stripped to dryness. The resulting thick oil was taken up in 20 mL of water, the pH adjusted to .9 using 5N NaOH and the solution applied to AG1-X8, (OAc~ form) resin and the product eluted with 0.1 N HOAc to yield, after recrystallization from water, 194 mg of the title product. * 1H NMR (D20) : δ 2.90 (s, 8H) ; δ 3.15 (s, 4H); δ 3.25 (s, 8H); δ 3.55 (s, 8H), δ 4.35 (s, 8H); IE 91189 - 59 δ 7.15 (d, J = 10 Hz, 4H); δ 7.55 (t, J = 10 Hz, 2H). FAB mass spectrum, m/z: 761.

Example 15 Γ6άΓ181ΝθθμργΙ2JNa mL of a 100 mM aqueous solution of [18]NgO4(py)2 (Example 1) and 5 mL of a 100 mM aqueous solution of GdCl3 are mixed thoroughly and the pH is adjusted to pH 6.9 with IN NaOH to yield the title product.

Example 16 [ Gd f 181 (Me) 4NgH4O4jp.y.I2JNa mL of a 100 mM aqueous solution of [18](Me)4ΝβΟ4(py)2 (Example 2) and 5 mL of a 100 mM aqueous solution of GdCl3 are mixed thoroughly and the pH is adjusted to pH 6.9 with IN NaOH to yield the title product.

The T^ relaxivity in mM'1s'1, measured in water at 10 MHz and 37 °C was 1.7.

Example 17 Gdf 1.2.,] N4Xp.y.1P.3 1.902 g (5 mmol) of [12]N4O3(py) (Example 3) was dissolved in water (3 ml). Gd2O3(915 mg; 1.01 eg) was added and the volume made up to 8 ml with water. This was then stirred for 2 hours at 100 °C. Using Xylenol Orange as an indicator, further [12]N4O3(py) was added in small aliquots until a negative test result was IE 91189 - 60 achieved. A titration of excess ligand with GdCl3 was used to check for less than 0.05% ligand excess. The solution was then diluted to 10 ml with water to produce a 350 mM solution of Gd[12]N4O3 (py) . Finally the pH was adjusted to 6.2 with IN NaOH.

The T^ and T2 relaxivities of the chelate, in mM'1s'1 measured in water at 10MHz and 37°C were respectively 6.99 and 6.23.

Example 18 Gd.r.l5.1N503lpip,).

To a suspension of 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazabicyclo[11.2.2]heptadecane-4,7,10-tris(acetic acid) (1.0 g, 2.4 mmol) (Example 4) in water (1 ml) is added Gd2O3 (0.24 g, 1.2 mmol) with stirring. The mixture is heated at 75 °C overnight. Evaporation to dryness gives the title product.

Example 19 .(Mn f 181 (Me.)4N^H4O4I.py) 2jNa2 The title compound is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 2 with MnCl2· IE 91189 - 61 Example 20 GdBis(py)DTTA N,N-Bis(pyrid-2-yl-methyl) diethylenetriamine-N, N 'N'1triacetic acid (2,8719 g, 6.25 nunol) (the compound of Example 6) and gadolinium oxide (1.1328 g, 3.125 mmol) were combined in 15 mL of water and heated at 95°C for 4 hours to provide a solution of the desired complex. Relaxivity (water) at 10 MHz, 37 °C : R1 = 3.65 mM'1sec'1 and R2 = 3.57 mM'1 sec'1.

Example 21 (CaBis(py)DTTA) Na The title compound is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 6 with CaCl2.

Example 22 Composition comprising GdBis(py)DTTA and CaNa Bis(py)DTTA The compounds of Examples 20 and 21 are admixed in a 95:5 (by weight) ratio and dispersed in water for injections to a Gd content of 400 mM.

IE 91189 - 62 Example 23 Gd f 17 1 N^Xpip) The title chelate is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 7 with GdCl3Example 24 Mnfl21N4O2 The title chelate is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 8 with MnCl2.

Example 25 Mnri41N4O2.(,pip) The title chelate is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 9 with MnCl2· Example 26 Mnri51N5O2l.py) (pip) The title chelate is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 10 with MnCl2.

IE 91189 - 63 Example 27 ΜΠΓ151(Me)2N2O2(py)(pip) The title chelate is prepared analogously to that of Example 16 by reaction of the chelant of Example 11 with MnCl2.

Claims (23)

1. A compound of formula I R 1 (CR 2 R 3 ) [X(CR 2 R 3 ) ] R 1 (I) ' ’n L v ' n J m ' ' (wherein each X independently represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group of formula NA, or 2 3 2 3 (CR R ) n X(CR R ) represents a group of formula E represents COH,NR ,0 or S; each A independently represents a hydrogen atom or a group (CR 2 R 3 ) P

2. 3 where two (CR R ) Y groups on different nitrogens, may n 2 3 together represent a group -(CR R ) -,· each Y independently represents a group COZ, SO 2 Z, POZ 2 , CON(OH)R 2 , CH SR 2 , CS R 2 or CSZ; • 2 2 2 2 2 each Z independently represents a group OR or NR R ; each G is a 3 or 4 membered chain of carbon atoms and optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; each J is a 2 or 3 membered chain of carbon atoms and IE 91189 - 65 optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; 2 3 each n is an integer of 2 to 4, or m a group (CR R ) 1 . n attached to a moiety R which represents a hydrogen atom or a group R 4 n may also be zero or 1; m is an integer of 3 to 8; p is an integer of 1 to 3; 1 4 each R represents a hydrogen atom or a group R or together both groups R 1 represent a carbon-carbon bond; 2 . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C 1 . 8 alkyl group optionally mono- or poly-substituted by 2 2 hydroxyl or C va alkoxy groups or NR R may together represent a nitrogen-attached 5 to 7 membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally containing as a further ring heteroatom a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and 4 optionally substituted by a group R ; 3. . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C 18 alkyl or C^g alkoxy group optionally mono or poly substituted by hydroxy or C^g alkoxy groups; and 4. . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated C^g alkyl, C^g alkoxy, (C v8 alkoxy) -C,. 8 alkyl or poly(C V8 alkoxy)-C^g alkyl group, a sulphonate 2 3 4 group or a group (CR R ) Y or two groups R on the same ,2^3, 2 3 (CR R J ; ring represent a (CR R ) η _ χ [X(CR R ) η 1 ιη _ 1 χ — group in which case the said ring may be saturated; with the provisos that at least 2 Y groups, are present, that 1 where both groups R together form a bond, m is 4 or 5, all n are 2, one X is 2,6-pyridindiyl and the remainder 2 2 3 4 are NCH^COOR , then at least one R , R or R is other than hydrogen, and that either at least one X group l comprises an aromatic heterocyclic group or both R 2 3 groups together represent a bond and two (CR R ) Y 2 3 P 1 groups together represent a -(CR R )- group or both R represent a bond, m is 6 or greater and two X groups separated by at least two other X groups are oxygen or sulphur atoms) or a chelate complex or salt thereof. IE 91189 - 66 2. A compound of formula I as claimed in claim 1 wherein both R 1 groups together represent a bond and at least one pair of -(CR 2 R 3 )p Y groups together represent a -(CR 2 R 3 )n- group, or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

3. A compound of formula I as claimed in claim 1 wherein both R 1 groups together represent a bond and at least two moieties (CR 2 R 3 )n X (CR 2 R 3 )n represent heteroaromatic groups of formula which incorporate at least one ring heteroatom, or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

4. A compound of formula I as claimed in claim 1 wherein both R 1 groups together represent a bond, m is at least 6 and two X groups separated by at least two other X groups are oxygen or sulphur atoms, or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

5. A compound of formula I as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each n is 2 or 3, each p is 1, and at least 3 Y groups are present, or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

6. A compound of formula I as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising at least one hydrophilic R 1 , R 2 R 3 or R 4 group, or a chelate complex or salt thereof. IE 91189 ύ' - 67

7. A compound of formula I as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 of formula Ie, If, Ig, Ih, Ii, Ij, Ik or II ,{CR 2 R J ) n (cr 2 r 3 )„ ( C R 2 R 3 ) ( Ih) m- 2 IE 91189 - 69 IE 91189 (where A* is CHR 2 Y or hydrogen, z is 1 or 2, t is 1 or 2, v-is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and each X 2 is oxygen or sulphur and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X, n, m and Y are as defined in claims 1 to 6), or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

8. A compound of formula I as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 of formula In, Io, Ip, Iq, Ir, Is, It, Iu, Iv or Iw - 70 IE 91189 - 71 IE 91189 (where R 30 is trimethylene or ethylene, each r is 1 or 2, t is 1 or 2, R 2 is hydrogen or methyl and each R 6 is a group CH 2 COZ or CH 2 CON (OH) R 2 , and each X 2 is oxygen or sulphur), or a chelate complex or salt thereof.

9. A chelate complex as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the chelated species is a paramagnetic or heavy metal ion, or a salt thereof.

10. A diagnostic or therapeutic agent comprising a metal chelate, whereof the chelating entity is the residue of a compound of formula I R 1 (CR 2 R 3 ) [X(CR 2 R 3 ) ] R 1 ' ' n L ' 'n J m (wherein each X independently represents an oxygen or - 72 sulphur atom or a (CR 2 R 3 )nx(CR 2 R 3 )n IE 91189 group of formula NA, or represents a group of formula E represents COH, NR , O or S; each A independently represents a hydrogen atom or a group (CR 2 R 3 )pY, 2 R 3 )nN[(CR 2 R 3 ) Y] 2 or ( c2r3 )„-, where two (CR 2 R 3 ) n Y groups on different nitrogens, may 2 3 together represent a group -(CR R ) -; each Y independently represents a group COZ, SO 2 Z, POZ 2 , CON (OH) R 2 , CH2SR 2 , CS2R 2 or CSZ; each Z independently 2 2 2 represents a group OR or NR R ; each G is a 3 or 4 membered chain of carbon atoms and optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; each J is a 2 or 3 membered chain of carbon atoms and optionally a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom; n is an integer of 2 to 4, or in a group (CR R ) attached to a moiety R 1 IE 91189 ,2^2 - 73 which represents a hydrogen atom or a group R 4 n may also be zero or 1; m is an integer of 3 to 8; p is an integer of 1 to 3; each R 1 represents a hydrogen atom or a group 4 1 R or together both groups R represent a carbon-carbon 2 . bond; each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C^g alkyl group optionally mono- or polysubstituted by hydroxyl or C^g alkoxy groups or NR^R^ may together represent a nitrogen-attached 5 to 7 membered saturated heterocyclic ring optionally containing as a further ring heteroatom a nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atom and optionally substituted by a 4 3 . group R ; each R independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C^g alkyl or C^g alkoxy group optionally mono or poly substituted by hydroxy or C^g alkoxy groups; and 4 . each R independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an optionally mono- or poly-hydroxylated 0 ν8 alkyl, C^g alkoxy, (C^g alkoxy) C^g alkyl or polyfC^g alkoxy) C^g alkyl group, a sulphonate 2 3 4 group or a group (CR R ) Y or two groups R on the same ring represent a (CR 2 R 3 )n_1 [X(CR 2 R 3 )n] m _ 1 (CR 2 R 3 ) n _ 1 group in which case the said ring may be saturated; with the provisos that at least 2 Y groups, are present, and that either at least one X group comprises an aromatic heterocyclic group or both R 3 groups together represent 2 3 a bond and two (CR R ) Y groups together represent a 2 3 Ρ 1 -(CR R ) - group or both R represent a bond, m is 6 or greater and two X groups separated by at least two other X groups are oxygen or sulphur atoms.

11. A composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein the chelating entity is the residue of a compound of formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A magnetic resonance imaging contrast enhancing composition as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11 wherein the chelated metal species is selected from the paramagnetic ions of Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Cr, Mn and Fe. IE 91189 - 74 13. A detoxification agent comprising a weak complex or salt of a compound of formula I (as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10) with a physiologically acceptable counterion, together with at least one pharmaceutical carrier or excipient. 14. A process for the preparation of compounds as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 said process comprising one or more of the following steps: (a) reacting a compound of formula II -ii 9 ι ο ι ι R (CR R ) [X ' ' n L 2 ' 3 ' 1 (CR R ) ] R ' ' n J m (II) 1 1 3 ' 13 (where R to R are as defined for R to R in claim 1

13. 1 3 or are protected R to R groups, and X 1 is a group X as defined in claim 1 or a protected group X, with the I proviso that at least one X group is of formula NH or (CR 2 R 3 )pNH 2 ) with a compound of formula III 2 ' 3 1 Lv-(CR R ) -Y' 'P (HI) (where Y' is a group Y as defined in claim 1 or a 2 1 protected group Y, p is as defined in claim 1, R and 3 ' R are as hereinbefore defined and Lv is a leaving group) and if necessary subsequently removing any protecting groups used; and (b) converting a compound of formula I into a chelate complex or salt thereof.

14. 15. A process as claimed in claim 14 for the preparation of metal chelate complexes of compounds of formula I which process comprises admixing in a solvent a compound of formula I or a salt or chelate thereof together with an at least sparingly soluble compound of said metal. IE 91189 - 75

15. 16. A method of generating enhanced images of the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a diagnostic agent as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 and generating an X-ray, MR, ultrasound or scintigraphic image of at least a part of said body.

16. 17. A method of radiotherapy practised on the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a chelate of a radioactive metal species with a chelating agent of formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10.

17. 18. A method of heavy metal detoxification practised on the human or non-human animal body, which method comprises administering to said body a weak complex or salt with a physiologically acceptable counterion of a compound of formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10.

18. 19. The use of compounds of formula I and chelates and salts as defined in any one of claims 1 to .10 for the manufacture of diagnostic or therapeutic agents for use in methods of image generation, detoxification or radiotherapy practised on the human or non-human animal body.

19. 20. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, substantially as described herein by way of Example.

20. 21. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, substantially as described herein by way of Example.

21.

22. A process as claimed in claims Π4 Or;i : 5,isubstantiaUy· as ^described herein by way of Example. IE 91189 - 76

23. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, when prepared by a process as claimed in any one of claims 14, 15 or 22.