Dendrimeric metallacrowns

A dendrimeric metallacrown, comprising:

• a dimeric metallacrown complex, including:
• a first monomeric metallacrown complex, including:
• a first central ion selected from the group consisting of a first lanthanide ion, a first d-block transition metal ion or rare earth metal ion, and a first s-block alkali or alkaline earth metal ion;
• and
• a first metallomacrocycle attached to the first central ion, wherein the first metallomacrocycle includes a first repeating sub-unit consisting of a first metal ion and a first ring ligand;
• a second monomeric metallacrown complex, including:
• a second central ion selected from the group consisting of a second lanthanide ion, a second d-block transition metal ion or rare earth metal ion, and a second s-block alkali or alkaline earth metal ion;
• and
• a second metallomacrocycle attached to the second central ion, wherein the second metallomacrocycle includes a second repeating sub-unit consisting of a second metal ion and a second ring ligand;
• and
• a bridging ligand attaching the first monomeric metallacrown complex to the second monomeric metallacrown complex;
• and
• a dendron respectively attached to i) the bridging ligand;
• or ii) each of the first ring ligands of the first monomeric metallacrown complex;
• or iii) each of the second ring ligands of the second monomeric metallacrown complex;
• or iv) any combination of i, ii, and iii.

A dendrimeric metallacryptand, comprising:

• a metallacryptate complex including:
• at least one central ion;
• and
• a metallacryptand attached to the at least one central ion;
• and
• a dendron respectively attached to each of the ring ligands of the metallacryptand.

An optical imaging agent, comprising:

• a carrier;
• and
• a dendrimeric metallacrown incorporated into the carrier, the dendrimeric metallacrown including:
• a monomeric metallacrown complex including:
• a central lanthanide ion;
• and
• a metallomacrocycle attached to the central lanthanide ion, wherein the metallomacrocycle includes a repeating sub-unit consisting of a metal ion and a ring ligand selected from the group consisting of a hydroxamic acid derivative and an oxime derivative;
• and
• a dendron respectively attached to each of the ring ligands of the metallomacrocycle.

An optical imaging agent, comprising:

• a carrier;
• and
• a dendrimeric metallacrown incorporated into the carrier, the dendrimeric metallacrown including:
• a dimeric metallacrown complex including:
• a first monomeric metallacrown complex, including:
• a first central lanthanide ion;
• and
• a first metallomacrocycle attached to the first central lanthanide ion, wherein the first metallomacrocycle includes a first repeating sub-unit consisting of a first metal ion and a first ring ligand;
• a second monomeric metallacrown complex, including:
• a second central lanthanide ion;
• and
• a second metallomacrocycle attached to the second central lanthanide ion, wherein the second metallomacrocycle includes a second repeating sub-unit consisting of a second metal ion and a second ring ligand;
• and
• a bridging ligand attaching the first monomeric metallacrown complex to the second monomeric metallacrown complex;
• and
• a dendron respectively attached to i) the bridging ligand;
• or ii) each of the first ring ligands of the first monomeric metallacrown complex;
• or iii) each of the second ring ligands of the second monomeric metallacrown complex;
• or iv) any combination of i, ii, and iii.