Optically active 1,12-dialkylbenzo[c]phenanthrene-5,8-dimethanols and its derivatives formed charge-transfer (CT) complexes with 3,5-dinitroacetophenone in solution, and the treatment of the complexes with borohydrides provided the optically active alcohol up to 13% ee.
The invention provides low viscosity iodinated aryl compounds, useful as X-ray contrast agents, of formula C6R6 wherein three non-adjacent R groups are iodine and the remaining R groups are non-ionic, hydrophilic moieties, said compound being water soluble at 20° C. to a concentration of at least 350 mgl/ml and which in aqueous solution at 20° C. at a concentration of 350 mgl/ml has a viscosity no greater than 13.8 mPas.