Abstract In our efforts of finding new specific contrast agents of higher relaxivity and selectivity, we have prepared the two new benzyl-functionalized DTPA ('diethylenetriamine pentaacetate') gadolinium complexes (S)-3 and (R, S)-4, and compared their properties with those of the known regioisomers (S)-2 and (S)-1. The theoretical fitting of the reduced transverse relaxation rates of the 17 O-nucleus of H 2 O gave values for the water- ...