Mixed hydroxypyridinonate ligands as iron chelators

The structural characterization and solution thermodynamic properties of iron complexes of two of the heteropodans ligands, based on hydroxypyridinonate (HOPO) and other ligands, that are therapeutic agents for ferric ion sequestration are reported. The ligands that are described are part of a new class of heteropodate ligands, which exploit the various chelating properties of several binding units within a single tripodal ligand and allow for systematic variation of the properties for medical or other applications.