Orthoester derivatives of crown ethers as carriers for pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions

Abstract

This invention relates to A crown ether of formula (I) wherein m is 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and i is, independently for each occurrence, 1 or 2; each occurrence of Rand Ris independently selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted Cto Calkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; and substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms; or Rand Rtogether form an oxo group; at least one occurrence in the crown ether of R, Rand the carbon to which Rand Rare attached, said carbon being bound directly to an ether oxygen of formula (I), form together a group of formula (II) wherein L is a linker which is absent or selected from a covalent bond and (CRR), each occurrence of Rand Rbeing independently selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted Cto Calkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; and substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms, n being 1, 2 or 3; X and Y, independently from each other, are selected from O and S; Z, independently for each occurrence, is absent or an electron-withdrawing group; Rand R, independently for each occurrence, are selected from hydrogen; linear or branched and substituted or unsubstituted Cto Calkyl, alkenyl and alkinyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl with up to 10 ring atoms; H(OCHCH)— and H(OCHCH)O—, wherein k is an integer number from 1 to 10; wherein substituents, if present, are selected from OH, O—CHand halogens.