Fullerene (C60)-based X-ray contrast agent for diagnostic imaging

A method for iodinating a fullerene scaffold comprising:

• a) synthesizing iodinating moieties;
• b) protecting serinols, forming protected serinols;
• c) attaching the protected serinols to the iodinated moieties, forming iodinated serinols;
• and
• d) attaching the iodinated serinols to the fullerene scaffold.

A method for iodinating and water solubilizing a fullerene scaffold comprising:

• a) synthesizing iodinating moieties;
• b) protecting serinols, forming protected serinols;
• c) attaching the protected serinols to the iodinated moieties, forming iodinated serinols;
• d) attaching the iodinated serinols to the fullerene scaffold;
• and
• e) attaching a plurality of water solubilizing moieties to the fullerene scaffold.

A method of making a blood pool agent, comprising:

• providing a fullerene scaffold;
• bonding an iodinated x-ray contrast agent to the scaffold;
• and
• bonding a plurality of water solubilizing moieties to the scaffold.

A tissue-specific agent comprising:

• a fullerene scaffold;
• an iodinated x-ray contrast agent bonded to the scaffold;
• and
• a tissue-targeting moiety bonded to the scaffold.