Gd-Complexes of DTPA-bis(amides) Functionalized by Pyridine and Picolinamide: Synthesis, Thermodynamic Stability, and Relaxivity Properties

A series of DTPA-bis(amides) functionalized by pyridine (1a-c) and N-phenylpicolinamide) (1d-e) and their Gd(III)-complexes of the type [Gd(1)($H_2O$)]·x$H_2O$ (2a-e) were prepared and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Potentiality of 2a-e as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI CA) was investigated by measuring relevant physicochemical properties and relaxivities and compared with [Gd(DTPA-BMA)($H_2O$)] (DTPA-BMA=N,N''-di(methylcarbamoylmethyl)diethylenetriamine-N,N',N''-triacetate) ($Omniscan^{(R)}$). The R1 relaxivities of aqueous solutions of 2a-c are in the range of 3.33 -5.02 $mM^{-1}$$sec^{-1}$, which are comparable with those of $Omniscan^{(R)}$ (r1=4.58 $mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$). Complexes 2d-e, insoluble in water, exhibit relatively higher R1 values (8.1- 8.3 $mM^{-1}sec^{-1}$) in HP-$\beta$-CD solutions.