Chemistry of X-Ray Contrast Agents

Abstract

Iodinated contrast agents are widely used in X-ray diagnostic procedures such as angiography, urography and computed tomography. In this chapter, the synthesis and analytics of iodinated X-ray contrast agents are reviewed. General synthetic routes including patent applications and investigations on stability will be described for the different classes of available compounds. The analytical part covers physicochemical characteristics such as osmolality, viscosity, and partition coefficient as well as methods for the specific and unspecific determination of contrast agents in various matrices. Particular emphasis has been focused on the analysis of isomeric forms of the iodinated compounds.