1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the removal of toxic metal ions and radioactive isotopes from living organism

The invention relates to partially novel metal complexes, salts and double salts of 1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane compounds of the formula (I), (I) wherein Q1 and Q2 mean hydrogen or a group of the formula (III), (III) in the groups of the formula (III) the R subtituents independently represent hydrogen, a C1-5 straight or branched chain alkyl group, a C2-5 straight or branched chain alkenyl group, phenyl or phenyl-C1-5alkyl group, the two latter ones optionally being substituted on their aromatic part by one or more halogen(s), C1-5alkyl, C1-5alkoxy, cyano or nitro group(s), with the proviso that at least one of Q1 and Q2 is other than hydrogen; Me stands for an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal or transition metal ion; q is 0 or 1; M and N, independently from each other, stand for hydrogen or an alkaline metal, alkaline earth metal or optionally substituted ammonium ion; m, n and p are integers each being equal to the charge of M, N or Me, respectively; s and r are, independently from each other, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that (i) r, s and q cannot simultaneously be 0; and (ii) the number of hydrogens in the meaning of M or N may be 0, 1 or 2, which are useful in the decorporation of metal ions such as the radioactive isotopes of strontium or cerium and may be administered intravenously, locally, transdermally or rectally.