Bifunctional ligands based on the DOTA-monoamide cage

Efficient routes to DOTA-monoamide ligands bearing amino, hydroxyl, aldehyde and maleimido groups are described. These functional groups, which can be spaced at will from the coordination cage, will readily react with suitable groups of targeting moieties. Bioconjugates obtained in this way can be used for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications.