Abstract: Compounds are described which include polyvalent ligands linked to a cyclodextrin scaffold which exhibit strong binding affinities for lanthanides and favorable characteristics with respect to altering the relaxation time of coordinated water molecules. The compounds are useful as contrast agents in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging. The polyvalent ligands are also useful in applications requiring chelation of metal ions in other applications such as water treatment, sequestration of metal ions and treatment of diseases or conditions caused by exposure to toxic or radioactive metal ions.

Abstract: Compounds are described which include polyvalent ligands linked to a cyclodextrin scaffold which exhibit strong binding affinities for lanthanides and favorable characteristics with respect to altering the relaxation time of coordinated water molecules. The compounds are useful as contrast agents in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging. The polyvalent ligands are also useful in applications requiring chelation of metal ions in other applications such as water treatment, sequestration of metal ions and treatment of diseases or conditions caused by exposure to toxic or radioactive metal ions.

Abstract: A contrast agent for MRI imaging includes: (a) one cyclodextrin, whose truncated-cone-shaped structure defines a central axis, a first and a second openings along the axis, (b) one paramagnetic element, located on the cyclodextrin axis, outside the structure and proximate to the first opening, (c) one or several coordination ligand(s) of the paramagnetic element which coordinate(s) the paramagnetic element, (d) one arm covalently bound to the cyclodextrin, proximate to the second opening, which is able to form an inclusion complex with the cyclodextrin.