A new class of macrocyclic ligands based on 1-oxa-4,7-diazacyclononane was synthesized and their Mn(2+) complexes were investigated with respect to stability and relaxation properties. Each ligand has two pendant arms involving carboxylic, phosphonic, phosphinic or phenylphosphinic acid moieties.
The crystal structure of the Mn(2+) complex with H2L_4 confirmed a coordination number of 6 for Mn(2+). The protonation constants of all ligands and the stability constants of their complexes with Mn(2+) and some biologically or biomedically relevant metal ions were determined by potentiometry and NMR.
Variable temperature (1)HNMRD and (17)O NMR measurements have been performed on MnL_1 and MnL_2 to provide information on water exchange and rotational dynamics. The (17)O chemical shifts indicate hydration equilibrium between mono- and bishydrated species for MnL_1, while MnL_2 is monohydrated.
Small endogenous anions (phosphate, carbonate, citrate) do not replace the coordinated water in either of the complexes, but they induce their slow decomposition. All Mn(2+) complexes are stable toward air-oxidation.