Synthesis and characterization of new polyethyleneoxy substituted salicylaldimine Schiff bases and some corresponding reduced tetra- and penta-aza ligands and their gadolinium(III) complexes: new potential contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

A series of polyether substituted salicylaldehyde derivatives OHCC6H3OH-2-OR-3 [R = CH2-(CH2OCH2)(n)CH(2)OR', n = 1, 4 and R' = Me; n = 5 and R'= H] have been synthesised and used to prepare the polydentate ligands HN[(CH2CH2NHCH2CH2N=CHC6H3OH-2-OR-3](2), HN[CH2CH2NHCH2CH2NHCH2C6H3-OH-2-OR-3](2) and HN[CH2CH2N=CHC6H3OH-2-OR-3](3); a preliminary evaluation has been made of the potential use of their gadolinium complexes as contrast agents for diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging.