New potential bimodal imaging contrast agents based on DOTA-like and porphyrin macrocycles

A bifunctional chelator featuring (DO3A-AM)-Porphyrin units has been prepared. The high-field relaxivity of the Gd complex is similar to those of currently available contrast agents clearly showing that the first coordination sphere remains identical to the parent molecule [Gd(DO3A-AM)(H2O)], with one coordinated water molecule.