LUMINESCENT MACROCYCLIC LANTHANIDE COMPLEXES

摘要

The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds as well as complexes formed between a metal (e.g., lanthanide) ion and the comp ounds of the invention. Preferred complexes exhibit high stability as well a s high quantum yields of lanthanide ion luminescence in aqueous media withou t the need for secondary activating agents. Preferred compounds incorporate hydroxy-isophthalamide moieties within their macrocyclic structure and are c haracterized by surprisingly low, non-specific binding to a variety of polyp eptides such as antibodies and proteins as well as high kinetic stability. T hese characteristics distinguish them from known, open-structured ligands.