Synthesis of a ligand based upon a new entry into the 3-Hydroxy-N-alkyl-2(1H)-pryidinone ring system and thermodynamic evaluation of its gadolinium complex

The synthesis of a new, more water soluble derivative of the ligand TREN-Me-3.2-HOPO is presented. Solution thermodynamic studies have confirmed that the high affinity of this class of ligands for the GD-(super 3+) cation is retained as an important development in the development of new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.