Synthesis of Lipophilic Paramagnetic Contrast Agents.

The facile, high-yielding synthesis of a series of macrocycles 7a−k in 75−100% yield is reported. The transformation of these compounds to their carboxymethylated analogues 8a−k in 75−90% yield and subsequent gadolinium complexes 9a−k provides a series of homologous neutral paramagnetic contrast agents (PCAs) with tunable lipophilicity. Alkylated cationic intermediates 6a−k are prepared in yields of 72−94% from glyoxal adduct of cyclen (5) and slight excesses of alkyl iodides. The methodology is selective for monoalkylation and amenable to large-scale synthesis.