Abstract: A distamycin derivative of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: n is 2, 3 or 4;R.sub.0 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --X.sub.2, wherein X.sub.2 is a halogen atom;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected, each independently, from: hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluorine atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, and halogen;X.sub.1 is a halogen atom;B is selected from: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 are, each independently, hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, and m is 0, 1 or 2; with the proviso that, when R.sub.0 is --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --X.sub.2, B is different from --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --NR.sub.6 R.sub.7 and at least one of R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cross-linked hemoglobins, and particularly to methods of controlling the functionality of such hemoglobins. The controlled functionalities include the P.sub.50 and the Hill coefficient. The present invention provides methods for producing a cross-linked hemoglobin with specific final functionalities by regulating the amount of both total hemoglobin and R-state hemoglobin prior to cross-linking, and by modulating cross-linking reaction conditions such as time, temperature, pH and the ratio of cross-linking reagent to hemoglobin.