Aggregation in amphiphilic macrocycle-substituted Gd(3+) DOTA-type chelates is affected by the regiochemistry of substitution.

Abstract

Gd(3+) chelates of macrocyclic bifunctional chelators (BFCs) can differentiate into two regioisomers: corner and side. These isomers afford different orientations of chelate relative to conjugate. These differences alter the self-assembly, tumbling, and effectiveness as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents of the two biphenyl conjugate isomers.