separate experiments dmap is alkylated with these agents and the resulting products are identified using standard techniques finally samples of rrrr 8 and r 10 is analyzed for these potential side products and it needled additional purification steps may be included in their synthesis all compounds need to be fully characterized including nmr ms hplc elemental analysis and optical purity determination e e such as using chiral hplc or optical rotation though the tetraester salts rrrr 10 and r 11 appear to be chemically stable for months in tightly sealed containers in desiccators the materials were produced as extremely hygroscopic powders even in the relatively dry air of san diego the powdery material would start to become sticky within minutes of exposure to laboratory air absorption of water may cause chemical changes for example hydrolysis in fact we have monitored samples of 10 and 11 in cd 3 od d 2 o solutions and find after one day at 25 u00b0 c evidence for release of ch 3 od from methyl ester hydrolysis short exposure to lab air would not be expected to lead to significant hydrolysis but if the samples pick up water their mass changes and with it the percent composition by weight of desired chelator which if ignored would lead to errors in stoichiometry during attempted nanodevice construction to avoid all these problems the bifunctional chelator of the present invention may be formulated into various salt forms including but not limited to bromide or chloride this can be simply achieved using hbr or hcl in methanol during the removal of the boc group alternatively the bifunctional chelator may also be packaged in standard sizes for use the examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete.