RU98118643A - NEW BENZOTHIEPINES, HAVING THE ACTIVITY OF BILK ACID INHIBITORS IN THE PULMONIC ACID TRANSPORT AND TAUROCHOLAT CAPTURE - Google Patents

Claims (1)

1. The compound of formula I

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^W A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more carbon atoms replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
wherein R ⁹ , R ^10, and R ^{W are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl, and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined; or
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that both R ³ and R ⁴ cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH, or R ¹¹ and R ¹² taken together with the nitrogen or carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl may be substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , where A ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) ( OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , or phenylene, and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl , alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be further substituted with OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R, SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , C (O) OM, PO (OR ¹⁶ ) R ¹⁷ ,
where in R ^x one or more carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that both R ⁵ and R ⁶ cannot be OH or SH and, if R ⁵ is OH, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ cannot all be hydrogen;
with the proviso that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenyl, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1 and R ^x is styryl, anilido or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl. 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of aryl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl, where said aryl, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted by one or more substituent group independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ . 3. The compound according to claim 2, where R ⁵ and R ⁶ have the formula
-Ar- (R ^Y ) _t
where t is an integer from 0 to 5;
Ar is selected from the group consisting of: fenil benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, and benzoisothiazolyl;
one or more of R ^{Y is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be substituted with one or more substituent group selected independently from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle optionally contains one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene. 4. The compound according to claim 3, where R ⁵ or R ⁶ has the formula II:

5. The compound according to claim 4, where n is 1 or 2. 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein one of R ⁷ or R ⁸ is H and the other of R ⁷ or R ⁸ is alkyl. 7. The compound according to claim 5, where both R ⁷ or R ⁸ represent H. 8. The compound according to claim 7, wherein R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 9. The compound of claim 8, where the specified alkyl is C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 10. The compound of claim 8, where R ¹ or R ² both represent alkyl. 11. A compound according to claim 10, wherein said alkyl is C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 12. The compound according to claim 11, wherein said alkyl is a C ₂ -C ₇ alkyl. 13. The compound according to claim 12, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ -C ₄ alkyl.  14. The compound according to claim 13, wherein said alkyl is independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and isobutyl. 15. The compound of claim 8, where R ¹ and R ² each represents n-butyl. 16. The compound of claim 8, where one of R ¹ and R ² is ethyl, and the other of R ¹ and R ² is n-butyl.  17. Connection indicated in paragraph 15, where q = 1, 2 or 3.  18. The compound according to claim 16, where q = 1, 2 or 3.  19. The compound according to claim 17, wherein q = 1 or 2.  20. The compound according to claim 19, where q = 1.  21. The compound according to claim 18, where q = 1 or 2.  22. The compound according to claim 21, where q = 1. 23. The compound according to claim 19, wherein R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 24. The compound according to claim 21, wherein R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 25. The compound according to claim 23, wherein R ⁹ is H. 26. The compound according to claim 24, wherein R ⁹ is H. 27. The compound according to claim 25, wherein one or more of R ^X is in the 7-, 8- or 9-position of the benzene ring of formula I. 28. The compound according to claim 26, wherein said R ^X is at the 7-, 8- or 9-position of the benzene ring of formula I. 29. The compound according to claim 27, wherein said R ^X is in the 7- and 9-position of the benzene ring of formula I. 30. A compound according to claim 28, wherein said R ^X is in the 7-position of the benzene ring of formula I. 31. The compound of claim 29, wherein said one or more of R ^{X is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyester, halogen, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be further substituted OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ . 32. The compound according to claim 30, wherein said R ^{X is} selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyester, halo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be further substituted with OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ . 33. The compound of claim 31, wherein said one or more of R ^{X is} independently selected from the group consisting of polyester, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ^14, and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- . 34. The compound according to claim 32, wherein said R ^{X is} selected from the group consisting of polyester, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- . 35. The compound according to claim 33, wherein said one or more of R ^{X is} independently selected from the group consisting of OR ¹³ and NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ . 36. The compound of claim 34, wherein said R ^{X is} independently selected from the group consisting of OR ¹³ and NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ . 37. The compound according to claim 35, wherein R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ each is methyl. 38. The compound according to claim 36, wherein R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ each is methyl. 39. The compound of claim 31, wherein one or more of R ^{y is} independently at the 3- or 4-position of the phenyl ring of formula (II). 40. The compound according to claim 32, wherein one or more of R ^{y is} independently at the 3- or 4-position of the phenyl ring of formula (II).  41. The compound according to claim 39, where t = 1 or 2.  42. The compound according to claim 40, where t = 1 or 2. 43. The compound according to claim 41, wherein said one or more of R ^{y is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 44. The compound according to claim 42, wherein said R ^{y is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 45. The compound according to claim 43, wherein said one or more of R ^{y is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 46. The compound according to claim 44, wherein said R ^{y is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyether, fluoride, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 47. The compound according to claim 45, wherein said R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ are alkyl, where alkyl may be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 48. The compound according to claim 46, wherein said R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are alkyl, where alkyl may be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl.  49. The compound according to claim 47, where n = 2.  50. The compound according to claim 48, where n = 2.  51. A compound according to claim 49, wherein said OH group is in the syn position in said structural formula (II).  52. The compound according to claim 50, wherein said OH group is in the syn position in said structural formula (II). 53. The compound according to claim 51, having the formula:

54. The compound according to claim 51, having the formula:

55. The compound according to claim 51, having the formula:

56. The compound according to claim 51, having the formula:

57. The compound according to claim 51, having the formula:

58. The compound according to paragraph 52, having the formula:

59. The compound according to paragraph 52, having the formula:

60. The compound according to paragraph 52, having the formula:

61. The compound according to paragraph 52, having the formula:

62. The compound according to paragraph 52, having the formula:

63. The compound according to claim 31, where n = 1. 64. The compound according to claim 63, wherein R ^y is N. 65. The compound according to claim 64, having the formula:

66. The compound according to claim 4, wherein R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 67. The compound according to claim 66, wherein said alkyl is C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 68. The compound according to claim 67, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ -C ₇ alkyl. 69. The compound according to claim 68, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ - C ₄ alkyl. 70. The compound according to claim 69, wherein R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and isobutyl. 71. The compound according to claim 4, wherein R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 72. The compound according to claim 71, wherein R ⁹ is N.  73. The compound according to claim 4, where n = 2. 74. The compound according to claim 3, wherein R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 75. The compound according to claim 74, wherein R ⁹ is N. 76. The compound according to claim 3, where one of R ⁷ and R ⁸ is N. 77. The compound according to claim 76, wherein both R ⁷ and R ⁸ represent N. 78. The compound according to claim 3, wherein said one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyester, halogen, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be further substituted OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , or P (O) R ⁹ ;
79. The compound of claim 78, wherein said one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of polyester, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ^14, and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- . 80. The compound of claim 79, wherein said one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of OR ¹³ and NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ . 81. The compound according to claim 80, where R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ each represents methyl. 82. The compound according to claim 3, wherein one or more of R ^{y is} independently at the 3- or 4-position of the phenyl ring of formula II. 83. The compound according to claim 82, wherein one or more of R ^{y is} selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ and NC (O) R ⁹ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 84. The compound according to claim 83, wherein R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are alkyl. 85. The compound according to claim 84, wherein one or more of R ^{y is} selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ and NC (O) R ⁹ . 86. The compound according to claim 1, wherein said one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyester, halogen, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be further substituted with OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁰ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ .  87. The compound according to claim 1, where n = 1 or 2.  88. The compound according to claim 87, where n = 2. 89. The compound according to claim 1, where R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 90. The compound according to claim 89, wherein said alkyl is C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 91. The compound according to claim 90, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ - C ₇ alkyl. 92. The compound according to claim 91, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ - C ₄ alkyl. 93. The compound according to claim 92, wherein R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and isobutyl. 94. The compound according to claim 1, where R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 95. The compound according to claim 94, wherein R ⁹ is N. 96. The compound according to claim 1, where one of R ⁷ and R ⁸ represents N. 97. The compound according to claim 96, wherein one of R ⁷ and R ⁸ is N. 98. The compound of formula III

where q and r independently represent integers from 0 to 4;
d and e independently represent integers from 0 to 2;
t and u independently represent integers from 0 to 4;
R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ ,
SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more carbon atoms replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a C ₃ - C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ^1A and R ^2A , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a C ₃ - C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined;
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
R ^3A and R ^4A together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that R ³ and R ⁴ cannot be both OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² , taken together with the nitrogen or carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cyclic ring,
where a ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^{8A are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^X and R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptidite, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl,
where acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl (quaternary heterocycle) and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, SO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , C (O) OM, PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
where in R ^X and R ^XA one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O ) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ NR ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein R ¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkindiila, polialkandiila alkoxides, poliefirdiila, polialkoksidiila, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, where alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkindiil, polialkandiil alkoxides, aoliefirdiil, polialkoksidiil, carbohydrate, amino acid, The peptide and polypeptide may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , phenylene, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl or aryl,
where alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, alkoxydiyl, polyetherdiyl, polyalkoxydil, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide and polypeptide may be substituted by one or more substituent groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ NR ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ;
where one or more of R ^Y and R ^{YA are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be substituted with one or more substituent group selected independently from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene. 99. The compound according to claim 98, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 100. The compound of claim 99, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 101. The compound according to claim 100, wherein said alkyl is C ₂ -C ₇ alkyl. 102. The compound according to p, where R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^2A independently represent C ₂ - C ₄ alkyl. 103. The compound of claim 102, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and isobutyl. 104. The compound according to claim 98, wherein R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 105. The compound according to claim 104, wherein R ⁹ is N. 106. The compound according to claim 98, wherein R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^8A represent N.  107. The compound according to claim 98, wherein d and e are independently equal to 1 or 2.  108. The compound according to claim 107, where d and e are both equal to 2. 109. A compound according to claim 98, wherein one or more of R ^x and one or more of R ^{XA is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyether, halo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁰ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ . 110. The compound according to claim 98, wherein one or more of R ^y and one or more R ^{yA are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 111. A compound according to claim 98, wherein R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, polyalkandiyl, alkoxydiyl, and polyalkoxydiyl, where the alkanediyl and polyalkandiyl may optionally have one or more of carbon atoms replaced with O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ and phenylene. 112. The compound of claim 111, wherein R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkoxydiyl and polyalkoxydiyl, where one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , S, SO, SO ₂ S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate or polyalkyl. 113. The compound of claim 112, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 114. The compound according to claim 13, wherein R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 115. The compound according to claim 114, wherein R ⁹ is H. 116. The compound of claim 115, wherein R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ^8, and R ^8A each represent H.  117. The compound of claim 116, wherein d and e are independently equal to 1 or 2. 118. The compound according to claim 117, wherein one or more of R ^X and one or more of R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyether, halo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ . 119. The compound according to p, where one or more of R ^Y or one or more R ^YA independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be substituted further SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and Quaternary heteroaryl. 120. The compound according to p, having the formula:

PEG = Polyethylene glycol polymer chain with a molecular weight of 3400. 121. The compound of formula IV

where q and r independently represent integers from 0 to 3;
d and e independently represent integers from 0 to 2;
t and u independently represent integers from 0 to 5;
R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- ,
S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene,
R ^1A and R ^2A , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined,
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
R ^3A and R ^4A together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that R ³ and R ⁴ both cannot represent HE, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen atom or carbon to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
where a ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^{8A are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^X and R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O} R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl (quaternary heterocycle) and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ and C (O) OM,
where in R ^X and R ^XA one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O ) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ,
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein R ¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkindiila, polialkandiila alkoxides, poliefirdiila, polialkoksidiila, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, where alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkindiil, polialkandiil, alkanediyl, alkoxides poliefirdiil, polialkoksidiil, carbohydrate, the amino acid, peptide and polypeptide may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , phenylene, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl or aryl
where alkanediyl, alkendiyl, alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, alkoxydiyl, polyetherdiyl, polyalkoxydil, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide and polypeptide can be substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group containing alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ;
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, ether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene. 122. The compound of claim 121, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 123. The compound of claim 122, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 124. The compound according to claim 123, wherein said alkyl is a C ₂ -C ₇ alkyl. 125. The compound of claim 124, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently C ₂ -C ₄ alkyl. 126. The compound of claim 125, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and isobutyl. 127. The compound of claim 125, wherein R ³ , R ^3A , R ^4, and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 128. The compound according to claim 127, wherein R ⁹ is H. 129. The compound according to claim 121, wherein R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^8A are H.  130. The compound of claim 121, where d and e are independently equal to 1 or 2.  131. The compound according to claim 130, where d and e are both equal to 2. 132. The compound of claim 121, wherein one or more of R ^X and one or more of R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyether, halo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be further substituted OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
133. The compound according to claim 121, where one or more of R ^Y and one or more R ^{YA are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be further substituted with SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and quaternary heteroaryl. 134. The compound according to claim 121, where R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, polyalkandiyl, alkoxydiyl, and polyalkoxydiyl, where alkanediyl and polyalkandiyl may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ and phenylene. 135. The compound according to claim 134, wherein R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkoxydiyl and polyalkoxydiyl, where one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , S, SO, SO ₂ S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate or polyalkyl. 136. The compound of claim 135, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 137. The compound according to claim 136, wherein R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 138. The compound according to claim 13, wherein R ⁹ is H. 139. The compound according to p, where R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^8A each represent H.  140. The compound according to claim 13, wherein d and e are independently equal to 1 or 2. 141. The compound according to claim 140, having the formula:

PEG = Polyethylene glycol polymer chain with a molecular weight of 3400. 142. The compound of formula V

where q independently represents an integer from 0 to 4;
r represents an integer from 0 to 3,
d and e independently represent integers from 0 to 2;
t represents an integer from 0 to 4;
u represents an integer from 0 to 5;
R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- ,
S (O) R ⁹ , SO ² R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, polyalkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ^1A and R ^2A , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ³ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined;
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
R ^3A and R ^4A together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that R ³ and R ⁴ both cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen or carbon atoms to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
where a ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^{8A are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^X and R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl,
where acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, alkyl (quaternary heterocycle) and quaternary heteroaryl can be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ and C (O) OM,
where in R ^X and R ^XA one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O ) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- PR ⁹ P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkyndiyl, polyalkandiyl, alkoxydiyl, polyetherdiyl, polyalkoxydiyl, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, where alkanediyl, alkendiyl, alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, polypeptide, where alkanediyl, alkendiyl, alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, polypeptide, polyethylene, poly alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, polypeptide, polyethylene, polyalkyridyl and the polypeptide optionally contains one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , phenylene , heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl or aryl,
where alkanediyl, alkenediyl, alkyldiyl, polyalkanediyl, alkoxydiyl, polyetherdiyl, polyalkoxydiyl, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide and polypeptide may be substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, halo alkydyl alkyl halide, alkyl halide alkylamines , cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halide, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
where one or more of R ^Y and R ^{YA are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo , OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl , quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which are replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene. 143. The compound of claim 142, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 144. The compound according to claim 43, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ² and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and C ₁ -C ₁₀ alkyl. 145. The compound according to claim 144, wherein said alkyl is a C ₂ -C ₇ alkyl. 146. The compound according to claim 45, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently C ₂ -C ₄ alkyl. 147. The compound of claim 144, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and isobutyl. 148. The compound according to claim 142, wherein R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 149. The compound according to claim 48, wherein R ⁹ is H. 150. The compound according to claim 142, wherein R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^8A are H.  151. The compound according to claim 142, wherein d and e are independently 1 or 2.  152. The compound of claim 51, where d and e are both equal to 2. 153. The compound of claim 142, wherein one or more of R ^X and one or more of R ^{XA are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy, polyether, halo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ and NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ ,
where alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, polyalkyl, acyloxy and polyester can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ . 154. The compound according to p, where one or more of R ^Y and one or more R ^YA independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, polyester, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O ) R ¹³ and OR ¹³ ,
where alkyl and polyester can be substituted further SO ₃ R ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- and Quaternary heteroaryl. 155. The compound according to claim 142, wherein R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkanediyl, polyalkandiyl, alkoxydiyl, and polyalkoxydyl, where the alkanediyl and polyalkandiyl may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced by O, N ⁺ R ⁷ , N ⁺ + R ⁷ R ⁸ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ , PR ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ and phenylene. 156. The compound according to claim 155, where R ^{19 is} selected from the group consisting of alkoxydiyl and polyalkoxydiyl, where one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ⁹ N ⁺ + R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate or polyalkyl. 157. The compound of claim 156, wherein R ¹ , R ^1A , R ^2, and R ^{2A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. 158. The compound according to claim 157, where R ³ , R ^3A , R ⁴ and R ^{4A are} independently selected from the group consisting of H and OR ⁹ . 159. The compound according to p, where R ⁹ is H. 160. The compound according to claim 159, where R ⁷ , R ^7A , R ⁸ and R ^8A each represents H.  161. The compound of claim 160, wherein d and e are independently equal to 1 or 2. 162. The compound according to claim 61, having the formula:

PEG = Polyethylene glycol polymer chain with a molecular weight of 3400.  163. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-hyperlipidemically effective amount of a compound of formula I in accordance with claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  164. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-atherosclerotic effective amount of the compound of formula I according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  165. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-hypercholesterol-emiically effective amount of a compound of formula I in accordance with claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.  166. A method of preventing or treating a hyperlipidemic condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof the composition of claim 163 in a unit dosage form.  167. A method of preventing or treating an atherosclerotic condition, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a composition according to claim 166 in unit dosage form.  168. A method for the prevention or treatment of hypercholesterol-hemia, including the administration to a patient in need of a composition according to claim 165 in unit dosage form. 169. The compound of formula I

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ^{1 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
R ^{2 is} selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w R ¹⁰ A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated;
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that R ³ and R ^{4 are} both OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² , taken together with the nitrogen or carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cyclic ring,
R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl may be substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ A ^- , A ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation,
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , or phenylene, a R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl , alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ , taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a cyclic ring;
R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^{X is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ and C (O) OM,
where in R ^X one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that both R ⁵ and R ⁶ cannot be hydrogen, OH or SH;
provided that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenyl, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1 and R ^x is styryl, anilido or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl. 170. The compound of formula I

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ^{3 is} selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ^9, and NR ⁹ R ¹⁰
R ^{4 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, heterocycle, OR ⁴¹ , NR ⁴¹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁴¹ , S (O ) R ⁴¹ , SO ₂ R ⁴¹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = NOR ⁴² , = NNR ¹¹ R ⁴³ , = NR ⁴¹ or = CR ¹¹ R ⁴³ ,
where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated;
where R ^{11 is} selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where R ^{41 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl,
R ^{42 is} selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , COR ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰
R ^{43 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , with the indicated carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl and cyanoalkyl including C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl,
R ¹¹ and R ⁴³ together with the nitrogen or carbon to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
with the proviso that R ³ and R ⁴ both cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH;
R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl may be substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , where R ¹¹ is as previously defined, and R ^{12 is} selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the above values,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen or carbon atoms to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
A ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation,
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted with one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl , quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where the specified alkyl, alkenyl, quinil, polyalkyl,
polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , or phenylene, and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate,
amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be further substituted with OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , and C (O) OM and PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that R ⁵ and R ⁶ cannot both be hydrogen, OH or SH,
provided that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenyl, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1, and R ^x is styryl, anilido or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl. 171. The compound of formula I

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated;
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined,
provided that R ³ and R ⁴ both cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen or carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ^{5 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle containing at least one phosphorus heteroatom, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁵¹ , SR ⁵¹ , S (O) R ⁵¹ , SO ₂ R ⁵¹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein said R ⁵ substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl and substituted aryl substituents independently include one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkenyl, C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, oxo, OR ⁵² , NR ⁵² R ¹⁴ , SR ⁵² , S (O) R ⁵² , SO ₂ R ⁵² , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , CO ₂ R ⁵² , OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P ( O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P {OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , N ⁺ R ⁵¹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
where the specified R ⁵ C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl, quinil, anthracenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl (substituents) may be substituted by one or more substituent group independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl , polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O ) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
R ^{6 is} selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein said R ⁶ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl (substituents) may be substituted with one or more substituent group independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) O R ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
And ^- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation,
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted with one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl , quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally have one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced with O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene,
R ⁹ is as previously defined
R ^{51 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl, and arylalkyl,
R ^{52 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, polyalkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which are replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁵ and R ^{52 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be further substituted with OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R, SO ³ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , C (O) OM and PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted by one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that when R ⁶ is OH, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ cannot all be hydrogen;
provided that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenyl, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1 and R ^x is styryl, anilido or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl. 172. The compound of formula I:

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated;
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that R ³ and R ⁴ both cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen or carbon atoms to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl may be substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , A ^- represents a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M represents a pharmaceutically acceptable cation,
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted with one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl , quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced with O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene, a R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which are replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
R ^{7 is} selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
R ⁸ is alkyl;
one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl can be substituted further OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO ( OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM,
where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , C (O) OM, PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ ,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ;
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that both R ⁵ and R ⁶ cannot be hydrogen, OH or SH;
with the proviso that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenylene, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1, and R ^x is styryl, anilido, or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl;
173. The compound of formula I:

where q is an integer from 1 to 4;
n represents an integer from 0 to 2;
R ¹ and R ^{2 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl, and cycloalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, dialkylamino, alkylthio, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ^w A ^- , SR ⁹ , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, (polyalkyl) aryl and cycloalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or phenylene,
where R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ and R ^{w are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl and arylalkyl;
R ¹ and R ² , taken together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkylidene;
R ³ and R ^{4 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyloxy, aryl, heterocycle, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined, or
R ³ and R ⁴ together form = O, = NOR ¹¹ , = S, = NNR ¹¹ R ¹² , = NR ⁹ or = CR ¹¹ R ¹² ,
where R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ have the values previously indicated, provided that both R ³ and R ⁴ cannot be OH, NH ₂ or SH,
R ¹¹ and R ¹² taken together with the nitrogen or carbon atoms to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ⁵ and R ^{6 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, OR ⁹ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ^9, and SO ₃ R ⁹ ,
wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl may be substituted with one or more substituent group selected independently from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, halogen, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
And ^- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion, and M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation,
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may be further substituted with one or more substituent group selected from the group consisting of OR ⁷ , NR ⁷ R ⁸ , SR ⁷ , S (O) R ⁷ , SO ₂ R ⁷ , SO ₃ R ⁷ , CO ₂ R ⁷ , CN, oxo, CONR ⁷ R ⁸ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- , alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl , quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, P (O) R ⁷ R ⁸ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ R ⁹ A ^- and P (O) (OR ⁷ ) OR ⁸ ,
where said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyester, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl and heterocycle may optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁷ , N ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁷ A ^- , PR ⁷ , P (O) R ⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁷ R ⁸ A ^- or phenylene, and R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms, which is replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide,
R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ and R ^{15 are} optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OHM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM,
where R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents consisting of R ⁹ and M;
R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a cyclic ring,
R ⁷ and R ^{8 are} independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl;
one or more of the R ^x substituents are selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkenyl, C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkynyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₂ -C ₂₀ alkenyl, substituted C ₂ -C ₂₀ alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, haloalkyl including C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁶¹ , NR ⁶¹ R ¹⁴ , SR ⁶¹ , S (O) R ⁶¹ , S (O) ₂ R ⁶¹ , SO ₃ R ⁶¹ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ⁶¹ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , CO ₂ R ⁶² , OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ⁶³ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ⁶³ , NR ⁶³ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁶⁴ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, where R ^{18 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl and alkyl,
where R ^{61 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, polyalkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where R ^{62 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl,
where R ^{63 is} selected from the group consisting of acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl and substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl,
where R ^{64 is} selected from the group consisting of C ₇ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted C ₁ -C ₂₀ alkyl, substituted aryl, anthracenyl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium and arylalkyl,
additional R ^x substituents may be independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, acyloxy, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ¹³ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , S (O) ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , NR ¹⁴ C (O) R ¹³ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , OR ¹⁸ , S (O) _n NR ¹⁸ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁸ , NR ¹⁸ OR ¹⁴ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- amino acids, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, where alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyc oalkil, aryl, polyalkyl, heterocycle, acyloxy, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, polyether, quaternary heterocycle, and quaternary heteroaryl can be further substituted with OR ^9, NR ⁹ R ^10, N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^-, SR ^9, S (O ) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or C (O) OM
wherein acyl, arylalkoxycarbonyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, alkyl, quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ and C (O) OM,
where in R ^x one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced by O, NR ¹³ , N ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ¹³ A ^- , PR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- , phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide, carbohydrate, polyester or polyalkyl,
where in said polyalkyl, phenylene, amino acid, peptide, polypeptide and carbohydrate, one or more of the carbon atoms is optionally replaced with O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- or P (O) R ⁹ ,
wherein the quaternary heterocycle and quaternary heteroaryl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, polyether, aryl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, arylalkyl, halo, oxo, OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , SR ¹³ , S (O) R ¹³ , SO ₂ R ¹³ , SO ₃ R ¹³ , NR ¹³ OR ¹⁴ , NR ¹³ NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ , NO ₂ , CO ₂ R ¹³ , CN, OM, SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ , C (O) OM, COR ¹³ , P (O) R ¹³ R ¹⁴ , P ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ A ^- , P (OR ¹³ ) OR ¹⁴ , S ⁺ R ¹³ R ¹⁴ A ^- and N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- ,
with the proviso that both R ⁵ and R ⁶ cannot be hydrogen, OH or SH and if R ⁵ is OH, R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁷ and R ⁸ cannot all be hydrogen;
provided that if R ⁵ or R ⁶ is phenyl, only one of R ¹ or R ² is H;
with the proviso that if q = 1, and R ^x is styryl, anilido or anilino-carbonyl, only one of R ⁵ or R ⁶ is alkyl. 174. The compound of formula I:

where q = 1 or 2;
n = 2;
R ¹ and R ² each represents alkyl;
R ³ is hydroxy;
R ⁴ and R ⁶ are hydrogen;
R ⁵ has the formula II:

where t is an integer from 0 to 5,
one or more of R ^{y is} independently selected from the group consisting of OR ¹³ , NR ¹³ R ¹⁴ and SR ¹³ ;
R ¹³ and R ^{14 are} independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, polyalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, and quaternary heteroalkyl;
where said R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle and polyalkyl optionally contain one or more of carbon atoms that are replaced by O, NR ⁹ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , S, SO, SO ₂ , S ⁺ R ⁹ A ^- , PR ⁹ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- , P (O) R ⁹ , phenylene, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide or polypeptide;
said R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ polyalkyl, arylalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, and quaternary heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ^9, NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OM;
said R ¹³ and R ¹⁴ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, and cycloalkyl are substituted by one or more groups selected from the group consisting of sulfoalkyl, quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , N ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹¹ R ¹² A ^- , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , oxo, CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SO ₂ OM, SO ₂ NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , PO (OR ¹⁶ ) OR ¹⁷ , P ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ R ¹¹ A ^- , S ⁺ R ⁹ R ¹⁰ A ^- and C (O) OHM; R ⁹ and R ^{10 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, heterocycle, ammonium alkyl, alkylammonium alkyl, and arylalkyl;
R ¹¹ and R ^{12 are} independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, heterocycle, carboxyalkyl, carboalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, OR ⁹ , NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , SR ⁹ , S (O) R ⁹ , SO ₂ R ⁹ , SO ₃ R ⁹ , CO ₂ R ⁹ , CN, halogen, oxo, and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ , where R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are as previously defined;
R ¹¹ and R ¹² together with the nitrogen or carbon atoms to which they are attached form a cyclic ring;
R ¹⁶ and R ^{17 are} independently selected from substituents constituting R ⁹ and M, where M is a pharmaceutically acceptable cation;
R ⁷ and R ⁸ are hydrogen;
one or more of R ^{x is} independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, alkylamino and dialkylamino. 175. The compound of claim 174, wherein R ¹ and R ^{2 are} each n-butyl. 176. The compound according to claim 175, wherein R ^y is OR ¹³ , and R ¹³ is as defined in paragraph 174. 177. The compound according to p, where one or more R ^x independently selected from methoxy and dimethylamino. 178. The compound according to claim 78, wherein R ^x is dimethylamino. 179. The compound according to p, where t = 1; R ^y is a pair of OR ¹³ ; R ¹³ has the meanings indicated in para. 180. The compound according to claim 176, where t = 1; R ^y is meta-OR ¹³ ; R ¹³ has the meanings indicated in para.  181. Compounds according to claim 176 with 4R, 5R configuration. 182. Compounds according to p.177, where R ¹³ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, quaternary heteroarylalkyl, and arylalkyl; said R ¹³ arylalkyl and quaternary heteroarylalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ; said R ¹³ alkyl group is substituted by one or more groups selected from quaternary heterocycle, quaternary heteroaryl, NR ⁹ R ¹⁰ and CONR ⁹ R ¹⁰ ; and R ⁹ and R ¹⁰ are hydrogen. 183. The compound according to p, where R ^x represents dimethylamino. 184. The compound according to p, where t = 1; R ^y is a pair of OR ¹³ ; R ¹³ has the values indicated in p. 182. 185. The compound according to p, where t = 1; R ^y is meta-OR ¹³ ; R ¹³ has the values indicated in p. 182.  186. The compound according to p, which has the 4R, 5R configuration. 187. The compound according to claim 177 with the structural formula:

188. The compound according to p with the structural formula: