Tri- and tetra-cyclopolyazamacrocyclophosphonic acid compounds and their derivatives are disclosed which may form inert complexes with Gd, Mn or Fe ions. The overall charge of the complex can be varied to alter the in vivo biolocalization. The complexes are useful as contrast agents for diagnostic purposes.

A novel process for the preparation of azamacrocyclic or acyclic aminophosphonate ester derivatives is disclosed. The process concerns the reaction of an appropriate azamacrocyclic or acyclic primary or secondary amine with trialkyl phosphite and paraformaldehyde.

Complexes of bicyclopolyazamacrocyclophosphonic acid compounds with a metal ion, e.g. .sup.153 Sm, .sup.177 Lu, .sup.159 Gd, .sup.149 Pm, .sup.140 La, .sup.175 Yb, .sup.166 Ho, .sup.90 Y, .sup.47 Sc, .sup.186 Re, .sup.188 Re, .sup.142 Pr, .sup.99m Tc, .sup.67 Ga, .sup.68 Ga, .sup.105 Rh, .sup.97 Ru, .sup.111 In, .sup.113m In or .sup.115m In ion, are disclosed. The complexes can be covalently attached to a biologically active molecule, e.g. an antibody or antibody fragment, to form conjugates. Th...

The present invention relates to a new polyazamacrocyclic compound or a salt thereof and its uses as a tissue specific chelator. The compound has the formula ##STR1## where x is 2, 3 or a combination of p 2(s) and q 3(s) where p+q=y; y is 4; R is ( CH.sub.2).sub.z P(=0)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3 ; R.sup.2 is C.sub.n H.sub.1+2n ; n is 4 to 6; z is 1 to 3. M is a heavy metal ion. These compounds may be used for magnetic resonance imaging.

Polyazamacrocyclofluoromonoalkylphosphonic acid compounds are disclosed which form inert complexes with Gd, Mn, Fe or La ions. The complexes are useful as contrast agents for diagnostic purposes.

Complexes of bicyclopolyazamacrocyclocarboxylic acid with Gd, Mn or Fe ions are disclosed. The complexes can be covalently attached to a biologically active molecule, e.g. an antibody or antibody fragment, to form conjugates. The complexes and conjugates are useful as contrast agents for diagnostic purposes.

The present invention relates to a new polyazamacrocyclic compound or a salt thereof and its uses as a tissue specific chelator. The compound has the formula ##STR1## where x is 2, 3 or a combination of p 2(s) and q 3(s) where p +q=y; y is 3 or 4; R is (CH.sub.2).sub.z P(.dbd.O)OR.sup.1 OR.sup.2 ; R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3 ; R.sup.2 is C.sub.n H.sub.1+2n ; n is 4 to 6; z is 1 to 3. In one important embodiment, this compound may be complexed with a metal to be a polyazamacrocyclic compound-metal c...

A process for preparing polyazamacrocyclic compounds using a nucleophilic imidazoline with (A) an ethylene oxide or an ethylene carbonate, in an aprotic solvent, followed by intramolecular amination, and then either basic or acidic hydrolysis; or (B) an electrophilic substrate, in a polar solvent, optionally in the presence of a non-nucleophilic base, to form an intermediate, followed by basic hydrolysis; or (C) a electrophilic substrate, in a polar solvent, optionally in the presence of a non-n...

Fluorescent chelates of lanthanide, terbium, europium and dysprosium with tetraazamacrocyclic compounds are discussed which can be used as fluorescent in vitro or in vivo diagnostic agents. These chelates are tissue specific imaging agents for soft tissue cancers.

The present invention describes a process to reduce the volume and/or weight of magnesium slag when the magnesium slag contains radioactive thorium. The process contacts the magnesium slag as an aqueous slurry with an acid in a pH range from about 4.0 to about 8.0, preferably from about 5.0 to about 5.5, followed by separating insoluble solids from the aqueous solution. Optionally, the acid digested solids are heated, either before or after the acid digestion, at a temperature from about 350.deg...