TETRA-AZA MACROCYCLES AND METAL COMPLEXES THEREOF

摘要

Tetra-aza macrocycles of formula (1)(see formula I)wherein m and n , which may be the same of different, is each zero oran integer 1, 2, or 3;p is zero or an integer 1 or 2;q is zero or an integer from 1 to 6 inclusive;R1, R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, is each ahydrogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, -CO2H, -SO3H, PO3H2 or arylgroup;L is a covalent bond or linker group;Z is a hydrogen atom or a reactive functional group, with theproviso that when L is a covalent bond Z is a reactive functionalgroup;and metal complexes and/or salts thereof; are described togetherwith processes for their preparation and compositions containingthem. The compounds are useful for imaging and in the treatment ofabnormal cell disorders, such as in the treatment of tumours, andare particularly suitable for coupling to other molecules such asproteins for use in diagnosis and therapy.