Abstract: The present invention provides a composition with the structure(L).sub.m (E).sub.nwherein (L).sub.m and (E).sub.n are bound as a complex, wherein L is a lipophilic compound; wherein E is a nonlipophilic, ionic, inorganic ester of an organic compound; and wherein m and n are each integers which may be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition with the structure(L).sub.m (E).sub.nwherein m and n are each integers, and m and n are different or the same; L is an ampholytic lipid or polymer, or a nonampholytic lipid with hydrophobic properties; E is a nonlipophilic ionic inorganic ester of an organic compound, E having the structural formulaZ.sup.+q R-Y-X-(O).sub.p.sup.-qwherein R is an organic moiety; Y is oxygen, sulfur or a substituted nitrogen, X is sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen or boron; p is the integer 2 or the integer 3; Z is hydrogen or a metal, and Q is an integer indicating the elecrical charge.Suitable ampholytic lipids are phospholipids, sulfatides, and sphingomyelins. The esters can be sulfate or phosphate esters of steroid hormones. The compositions are useful for example, for altering the solubility properties of the esters, and for developing controlled-delivery systems for pharmaceuticals.