Liposomes with conjugates of a calix[4]arene and a Gd-DOTA derivative on the outside surface: An efficient potential contrast agent for MRI

Paramagnetic liposomes used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often suffer from low efficacies because of slow water diffusion through the membrane. We present an approach to overcome this limitation by incorporation of a calix[4]arene based agent that expresses the chelates towards the bulk water.

Size control and compartmentalization in self-assembled nano-structures of a multisegment amphiphilew

A ‘‘multisegment amphiphile’’ has been synthesized by covalently connecting two well known building blocks, a gelator and a micelle forming surfactant. Self-assembly results in the formation of compartmentalized nano-object displaying properties inherited from both parents.

Densely packed Gd(III)-chelates with fast water exchange on a calix[4]arene scaffold: A potential MRI contrast agent

A pyridine-N-oxide functionalized DOTA analogue has been conjugated to a calix[4]arene and the corresponding Gd-complex was characterized with respect to its suitability as MRI contrast agent. The compound forms spherical micelles in water with a cmc of 35 mMand a radius of 8.2 nm. The relaxivity of these aggregates is 31.2 s-1 mM-1 at 25ºC and...

Self-assembled interpenetrating networks by orthogonal self assembly of surfactants and hydrogelators

Interpenetrating networks (IPN) consist of two or more networks of different components which are entangled on a molecular scale and cannot be separated without breaking at least one of the networks. They are of great technological interest because they allow the blending of two or more otherwise incompatible properties or functions, and...