Synthesis of a new family of protected 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid derivatives with thioctic acid pending arms

The synthesis and characterization of a new family of ester protected N-substituted [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (H3DO3A) derivatives containing a pendant thioctic acid (α lipoic acid, LA) are reported. These compounds (DO3AtBu-NLA, DO3AtBu-NMeNLA, and DO3AtBu-NEtNLA) are suitable for the functionalization of gold surfaces with rare-earth complexes.