Metallotetrapyrrolic photosensitizing agents for use in photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Metallotetrapyrrolic compounds having photherapeutic properties useful in photodetection and phototherapy of target issues, particularly porphyrins and azaporphyrins that including gallium in the central pyrrolic core. Also disclosed are methods of using metallotetrapyrrolic compounds for the treatment or detection of cardiovascular disease.

1 . A method of using a gallium porphyrin as a medicament to treat or detect diseases of the cardiovascular system, comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a porphyrin compound that coordinates gallium in the central pyrrolic core, and irradiating said porphyrin compound with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         2 . A method of using a gallium mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin as a medicament to treat or detect diseases of the cardiovascular system, comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin compound that coordinates gallium in the central pyrrolic core, and irradiating said mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin compound with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         3 . A method of using a metallated porphyrin as a medicament to treat or detect diseases of the cardiovascular system, comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a porphyrin compound that coordinates a metal in the central pyrrolic core, and irradiating said porphyrin compound with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the coordinated metal is selected from Ag, Au, Al, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Gd, Hf, Ho, In, Ir, La, Lu, Mn, Mg, Mo, Ni, Nd, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sc, Si, Sm, Sn, Tc, Tb, Th, Ti, TI, Tm, U, V, Y, Yb, W, Zn and Zr.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the coordinated metal is selected from Si, Ga, Pt, Pd, Sn, In, Ge, Al, Zn, Y, and Mg.  
     
     
         6 . A method of using a metallated mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin as a medicament to treat or detect diseases of the cardiovascular system, comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin compound that coordinates a metal in the central pyrrolic core, and irradiating said mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin compound with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coordinated metal is selected from Ag, Au, Al, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Gd, Hf, Ho, In, Ir, La, Lu, Mn, Mg, Mo, Ni, Nd, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sc, Si, Sm, Sn, Tc, Tb, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, Y, Yb, W, Zn and Zr.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coordinated metal is selected from In, Pt, Pd, Sn, Al, Mg, Zn, Si, Ge, Y and Ga.  
     
     
         9 . A method for the detection or treatment of tissues of the cardiovascular system, comprising administering to a patient, locally or systemically, an effective amount of a porphyrin or a mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-azaporphyrin, that coordinates a metal in the central tetrapyrrolic core, and irradiating said porphyrin or azaporphyrin with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said metal is selected from In, Pt, Pd, Sn, Al, Mg, Zn, Si, Ge, Y, and Ga.  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said porphyrin compound is selected from gallium (III) mesoporphyrin diacid, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin dimethyl ester, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin diethyl ester, and gallium (III) mesoporphyrin dipropyl ester, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin dibutyl ester, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin dipentyl ester, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin dihexyl ester, gallium (III) mesoporphyrin N,N-diethylamide, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin diacid, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin diethyl ester, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin dipropyl ester, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin dibutyl ester, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin dipentyl ester, gallium (III) deuteroporphyrin dihexyl ester, and p-halogenated derivatives and salts thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said porphyrin compound is selected from mesoporphyrin derivatives, deuteroporphyrin derivatives, coproporphyrin derivatives, uroporphyrin derivatives, pentacarboxyporphyrin derivatives, hematoporphyrin derivatives, protoporphyrin derivatives, hexacarboxyporphyrin derivatives, chloroporphyrin e6 derivatives, chloroporphyrin e4 derivatives, phylloporphyrin derivatives, rhodoporphyrin derivatives, pyrroporphyrin derivatives, pheoporphyrin a5 derivatives, and phylloerythrin derivatives.  
     
     
         14 . A method of using a tetrapyrrolic macrocycle that coordinates gallium in the central pyrrolic core as a medicament to treat or detect diseases of the cardiovascular system comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of said tetrapyrrolic macrocycle, and irradiating said macrocycle with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired detection or therapeutic effect, wherein said gallium co-ordinating tetrapyrrolic macrocycle is selected from a porphyrin, a azaporphyrin, a diazaporphyrin, a triazaporphyrin, a corrole, a porphycene, a isoporphycene, a hemiporphycene, and a corrphycene.  
     
     
         15 . The method of any of claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  12 ,  13  and 14 for treating a vessel wall or tissue adjoining the vessel wall, or material attached to the vessel wall of a patient's coronary, carotid or peripheral vasculature.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said vessel is an artery or a vein.  
     
     
         17 . The method of any of claims  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  13 , and  14  wherein the cardiovascular disease is atherosclerosis, restenosis or graft disease.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said therapeutic effect is achieved by depleting or eliminating normal contractile phenotype vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), neovessels, non-contractile synthetic phenotype VSMC, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, monocytes, erthyrocytes, platelets, (thrombocytes) or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said therapeutic effect is observed on fibronectin, vitronectin, collagen, elastin, fibrinogen, proteoglycans, or metalloproteinases.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said treatment involves ablation, reduction and/or stabilization of the vessel wall plaque.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said treatment is of restenosis of occlusive tissue formation induced in the vessel wall or by vascular injury to the vessel wall.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said restenosis is selected from vessel wall negative geometric remodelling, intimal thickening, increased intraluminal shear stress, dysfunctional or absent endothelium, periadventitial fibrosis, increased motor tone, fibrotic contracture, scar formation or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said injury is via balloon angioplasty.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said injury is stent deployment.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said injury is from an endovascular device.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said occlusive tissue is foreign tissue.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said occlusive tissue is host tissue.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said occlusive tissue is from an injury via invasive or non-invasive surgical manipulation of the vessel.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said surgical manipulation is selected from suturing, vascular access, anastomosis, bypass procedure, or shunt.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 9  for treatment of arteriovenous shunts.  
     
     
         31 . The method of any of claims  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  further including the step of delivering an activatable agent into tissue of the vessel wall which continues to act therapeutically with or without exposure to an energy source.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said energy source is selected from light, ultrasound, magnetic force, electromagnetic radiation, LEDs or lasers in the UV/visible electromagnetic spectrum or near infrared.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said energy is an illuminating step of wavelength between about 350 to about 900 nm on the tissue of the vascular vessel wall.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein said illuminating step comprises illuminating a plurality of times, each for a duration and in an area sufficient to impart a treatment effect within the vascular vessel wall.  
     
     
         35 . A method for restructuring the epithelial or endothelial layers of skin comprising administering to a patient, either topically or systemically, a therapeutic amount of a tetrapyrrolic molecule that coordinates gallium in the central tetrapyrrolic core, and irradiating said molecule with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein epithelial or endothelial cell layer restructuring results in a positive therapeutic response to scars, wound healing, psoriasis, chronic inflammatory diseases, eczema, immune modulated diseases, scleraderma, shingles, wrinkles, actinic keratosis, carcinomas or sarcoma of the skin or other tissues, fungual infections, viral or bacterial infections, warts, arthritis, port wine stains, birth marks, stretch marks, hyper pigmentation, urticaria, allegenic reactions, chronic proliferative dermatitis, chronic ulcerative dermatitis, disorders of hair or hair follicles, disorders of skin pigmentation, acne, cutaneous infections, skin tumors, seborrheic dermatitis, cutaneous vasculitis, erythema multiforme or nodosum.  
     
     
         37 . A method for stopping or arresting hair growth comprising administering to a patient, either topically or systemically, a therapeutic amount of a tetrapyrrolic molecule that coordinates gallium in the central tetrapyrrolic core and irradiating said molecule with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said gallium co-ordinating tetrapyrrole is selected from a mesoporphyrin derivative, deuteroporphyrin derivative, coproporphyrin derivative, uroporphyrin derivative, pentacarboxyporphyrin derivative, hematoporphyrin derivative, protoporphyrin derivative, hexacarboxyporphyrin derivative, chloroporphyrin e6 derivative, chloroporphyrin e4 derivative, phylloporphyrin derivative, rhodoporphyrin derivative, pyrroporphyrin derivative, pheoporphyrin a5 derivative, phylloerythrin derivative, azaporphyrin derivate, diazaporphyrin derivative, triazaporphyrin derivative and a tetraazaporphyrin derivative.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said gallium co-ordinating tetrapyrrole is selected from a mesoporphyrin amide derivative, deuteroporphyrin amide derivative, coproporphyrin amide derivative, uroporphyrin amide derivative, pentacarboxyporphyrin amide derivative, hematoporphyrin amide derivative, protoporphyrin amide derivative, hexacarboxyporphyrin amide derivative, chloroporphyrin e6 amide derivative, chloroporphyrin e4 amide derivative, phylloporphyrin amide derivative, rhodoporphyrin amide derivative, pyrroporphyrin amide derivative, pheoporphyrin a5 amide derivative phylloerythrin amide derivative, azaporphyrin amide derivate, diazaporphyrin amide derivative, triazaporphyrin amide derivative and a tetraazaporphyrin amide derivative.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  wherein said gallium tetrapyrrole is formulated topically in a gel containing excipients selected from benzyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethanol and water.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  where the formulation comprises benzyl alcohol 19.6%, oleyl alcohol 2%, hydroxypropylcellulose 1.5% and ethanol, 76.9%.  
     
     
         42 . A method of using a gallium tetrapyrrole molecule for the detection or treatment of tissue comprising administering to a patient a therapeutic amount of a gallium tetrapyrrolic molecule either locally, systemically, intramuscularly or interperitoneally and irradiating said molecule with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the molecule to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, whereby said tissue belongs to the hematological system, lymphatic reticuloendothelial system, nervous system, endocrine and exocrine system, skeletomuscular system including bone, connective tissue, cartilage and skeletal muscle, pulmonary system, gastrointestinal system including the liver, reproductive system, immune system, cardiovascular system, urinary system, auditory or olfactory system.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the detected disease is atherosclerotic plaque.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said stabilization involves collagen cross linking.  
     
     
         45 . A method for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system comprising administering to a graft tissue a therapeutic amount of a tetrapyrrolic molecule that coordinates gallium in the central tetrapyrrolic core and irradiating said graft with energy at a wavelength capable of exciting the tetrapyrrolic molecule, such that the graft tissue is made less immunogenic to the host.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said administration of porphyrin or azaporphyrin is prior to, concomitant with, or subsequent to, administration of adjunctive interventions, diagnostics or therapies.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said administration is a single bolus or plurality of doses administered to the patient.  
     
     
         48 . A method of  claim 9  wherein said local administration is selected from perivascular delivery, pericardial delivery into perivascular sac, periadventital delivery, intravascular delivery using elution from placed stents impregnated with porphyrin or azaporphyrin, endovascular delivery using balloon catheters with micropores or channels, or transmural injection ports pressurized and enhanced by mechanical and electrical means to facilitate intramural and transmural penetration of the prophyrin or azaprophyrin into the target tissue.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said systemic administration is selected from parenterally, orally, intravascularly, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intradermal or by inhalation.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said adjunctive interventions are selected from balloon angioplasty, invasive or non-invasive surgical procedures, stent deployment, cutting balloons, embolic protection devices, rotational and directional atherectomy, and eximer laserectomy.  
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 46  wherein said therapies are selected from radiation therapy, chemotherapy, anti-platelet agents, vasodilators, antihypertensives, anti-arrhythmics, statins, anti-adrenergic agents, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, sonotherapy, hyperthermia, cryotherapy, magnetic force, viral or non-viral gene therapy, pharmacogenetic therapy, antibodies, vaccines, glycoprotein IIb/IIa Inhibitors, growth factors, peptides, DNA delivery, nucleic acids, anticancer drugs, steroid hormones, anti-inflammatories, proteins, anti-apoptotic therapies, anti-sense agents, immunosuppressants, immunotoxins, immunomodulators, antibody-drug conjugates, anti-proliferative therapies, drug eluting stents containing pharmacologically active agents, hormone products, chelating agents, diuretics, cardiac glycosides, bronchodilators, antibiotics, antivirals, antitioxins, cyclosporins, thrombolytic agents, interferons, blood products such as parental iron and hemin, anti-fungal agents, antianginals, anticoagulants, analgesics, narcotics, neuromuscular blockers, sedatives, bacterial vaccines, viral vaccines, DNA or RNA of natural or synthetic origin including recombinant RNA and DNA, cytokines and their antagonists/inhibitors, chemokines and their antagonists/inhibitors, vitamins, and antioxidants.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said diagnostics are selected from intra-vascular ultrasound radiofrequency imaging or elastography, angiography, radiological contrast agents, electromechanical mapping, fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, optical coherance tomography, high resolution Magnetic Resonance, electron beam tomography, combined raman spectroscopy and particle induced x-ray emission, radionucleotide technology, fluorescence based optical analysis, and thermal mapping.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said metallated porphyrin is formulated by encapsulation in carriers selected from water, deionized water, phosphate buffered saline, aqueous ethanol, glucose, amino acids, vegetable oils, liposomes, immunoliposomes, cyclodextrans, microspheres, nanoparticles, lipoproteins, micellular systems or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein said formulation is selected from slow release, a prodrug, tablets, pills, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, granules or capsules.  
     
     
         55 . The method of claims  1  and  9 , wherein the gallium porphyrin is a compound of the following formula I:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 12  can be the same or different and can be selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of molecular weight of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl; where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 13 , where R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a C 1 -C 20  straight or branched chain alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 14 , where R 14  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 15 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 15 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 15 , where X is a halogen and R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 16 ), CONHNH(R 16 ), CO(R 16 ), CON(R 16 ) 2 , CON(R 16 )(R 17 ) (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 16 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 16 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 16 )(R 17 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 16 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 16 )(R 17 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 16 , (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 16 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 16 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 16 ), (CHX) n CO(R 16 ), (CHX) n CON(R 16 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 16 )(R 17 ), where X is a halogen and R 16  and R 17  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 18 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 18 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 18 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 18 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 18 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 18 )(R 19 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 18 )(R 19 )(R 20 ) + A, where R 18 , R 19  and R 20  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 18 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 18 , R 19  and R 20  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 21 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 21 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 21 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 21  where R 21  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 22 , or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 22 , where R 22  is selected from a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 23 , SO 2 NHR 23 , SO 2 N(R 23 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 23 )(R 24 ), SO 2 NHNHR 23 , or SO 2 R 23 , where R 23  and R 24  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 23  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, or an amino acid ester residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 4 -R 5 , R 7 -R 8 , R 10 -R 11 , R 2 -R 3 , R 5 -R 6 , R 8 -R 9 , and R 11 -R 12  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the co-ordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion.  
 
     
     
         56 . The method of claims  1  and  9 , wherein the gallium porphyrin is a compound of the following formula IA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  can be the same or different and can be selected from: 
 CO 2 R 3 , where R 3  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 4 ), CONHNH(R 4 ), CON(R 4 ) 2 , COR 4 , or CON(R 4 )(R 5 ), where R 4  and R 5  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 6 , where R 6  is selected from a C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 7 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , where X is a halogen and R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CO(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 9 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 9 ), (CHX) n CON(R 9 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), where X is a halogen, and R 8  and R 9  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 1 )(R 12 ) + A, where R 10 , R 11  and R 12  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, an amino acid or a salt, ester or amide thereof (provided —NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 10 , R 11  and R 12  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4 and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 13 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 13 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 13 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 13  where R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 14  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 14 , where R 14  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 15 , SO 2 NHR 15 , SO 2 N(R 15 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 15 )(R 16 ), SO 2 NHNHR 15 , or SO 2 R 15 , where R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion.  
 
     
     
         57 . A compound of the following formula IA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  may be the same or different and are selected from: 
 CO 2 R 3  where R 3  is selected from a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 4 ), CONHNH(R 4 ), CON(R 4 ) 2 , COR 4 , or CON(R 4 )(R 5 ), where R 4  and R 5  are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, with the proviso that R 4  and R 5  are not pentetic acid (DTPA), polyfunctional carboxyl compounds or cyclen functional groups that are capable of binding metal ions with atomic numbers of 20-32, 37-39, 42-51 or 57-83;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH or (CH 2 ) n OR 6  where R 6  is alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 7  or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 7  where X is a halogen and R 7  is H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , or (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ) where X is a halogen, R 8  and R 9  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), where R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, a aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ) where R 12  is selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; with the proviso that R 12  does not include a carboxyl group;  
 (CH 2 ) n S(R 13 ) where R 13  is selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 14 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 14 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 14  where R 14  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 15  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 15  where R 15  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 16 , SO 2 NH R 16 , SO 2 N(R 16 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 16 )(R 17 ), SO 2 NHNHR 16 , or SO 2 R 16 , where R 16  and R 17  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion;  
 with the proviso that R 1  and R 2  are not both CO 2 H or both CO 2 CH 3 .  
 
     
     
         58 . A compound of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  may be the same or different and are selected from: 
 CO 2 R 3  where R 3  is a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 4 ), CONHNH(R 4 ), CON(R 4 ) 2 , COR 4 , or CON(R 4 )(R 5 ), where R 4  and R 5  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH or (CH 2 ) n OR 6  where R 6  is alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 7  or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 7  where X is a halogen and R 7  is H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , or (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), where X is a halogen and where R 8  and R 9  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4; with the proviso that when n=2, R 8  or R 9  is not pentetic acid (DTPA), a polyfunctional carboxyl compound or a cyclen functional group that is capable of binding metal ions with atomic numbers of 20-32, 37-39, 42-51 or 57-83;  
 (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), where R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, a aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), where R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, a aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ) where R 12  is selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n S(R 13 ) where R 13  is selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 14 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 14 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 14  where R 14  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, an aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 15  where R 15  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 16 , SO 2 NHR 16 , SO 2 N(R 16 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 16 )(R 17 ), SO 2 R 16 , or SO 2 NHNHR 16  where R 16  and R 17  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, or a mono, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion;  
 with the proviso that R 1  and R 2  are not both (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 H or both (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 CH 3 .  
 
     
     
         59 . The method of claims  1  and  9  wherein the gallium porphyrin is a compound of the following formula 1B:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  can be the same or different and are selected from H, CN, CO-alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, ether haloalkyl, ester haloalkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, or a halogen; 
 R 3  and R 4  can be the same or different and are selected from:  
 CO 2 R 5 , where R 5  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, ethers or polyethers, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 6 ), CONHNH(R 6 ), CON(R 6 ) 2 , or CON(R 6 )(R 7 ), where R 6  and R 7  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester, or amide thereof (provided NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester or amide thereof (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), SO 2 NHNHR 17 , or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 All of the above which may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy groups, alkyl groups, carboxyl groups and their esters and amides, and sulfonic acid groups and their esters and amides; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion.  
 
     
     
         60 . The method of claims  1  and  9  wherein the gallium porphyrin is a compound of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  can be the same or different and are selected from H, CN, CO-alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, ether haloalkyl, ester haloalkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, or a halogen; 
 R 3  and R 4  can be the same or different and are selected from:  
 CO 2 R 5 , where R 5  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, ethers or polyethers, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 6 ), CONHNH(R 6 ), CON(R 6 ) 2 , or CON(R 6 )(R 7 ), where R 6  and R 7  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester, or amide thereof (provided NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester or amide thereof (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), SO 2 NHNHR 17 , or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 All of the above which may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy groups, alkyl groups, carboxyl groups and its esters and amides and sulfonic acid groups and their esters and amides; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion.  
 
     
     
         61 . A compound of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  can be the same or different and are selected from H, methyl, CN, CO-alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, ether haloalkyl, ester haloalkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, or a halogen; 
 R 3  and R 4  may be the same or different and are selected from:  
 CO 2 R 5  where R 5  is H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, ethers or polyethers, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 6 ), CONHNH(R 6 ), CON(R 6 ) 2 , or CON(R 6 )(R 7 ), where R 6  and R 7  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester, or amide thereof (provided NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester or amide thereof (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), SO 2 NHNHR 17 , or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 All of the above which may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy groups, alkyl groups, carboxyl groups and its esters and amides and sulfonic acid groups and their esters and amides; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , wherein associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion;  
 with the proviso that when R 1  and R 2 =H or Et and n=2, R 9  cannot be H or CH 3 , and when R 1  and R 2 =C1-C7 alkyl and n=2, one of R 10  or R 11  cannot be a functional group that possesses pentetic acid (DTPA), polyfunctional carboxyl compounds or cyclen functional groups that are capable of binding metal ions with atomic numbers of 20-32, 37-39, 42-51 or 57-83;  
 
     
     
         62 . A compound of the following formula IB:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  and R 2  may be the same or different and are selected from H, methyl, CN, CO-alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, ether haloalkyl, ester haloalkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, or a halogen; 
 R 3  and R 4  may be the same or different and are selected from:  
 CO 2 R 5  where R 5  is H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, ethers or polyethers, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 CONH(R 6 ), CONHNH(R 6 ), CON(R 6 ) 2 , or CON(R 6 )(R 7 ), where R 6  and R 7  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue; a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , or (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester, or amide thereof (provided NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, an amino acid or a salt, ester or amide thereof (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), SO 2 NHNHR 17 , or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, an amino acid residue, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, an amino acid amide residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 All of the above which may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy groups, alkyl groups, carboxyl groups and its esters and amides and sulfonic acid groups and their esters and amides; and wherein M is a metal cation selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 3+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+ , and Y 3+ , with the proviso that the compound of formula IB cannot be zinc deuteroporphyrin dimethylester, zinc deuteroporphyrin, zinc [3,7,12,17-tetramethyl-2,18-dipropanolato(2-)]porphyrin, zinc [dimethyl 8-bromo-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl-2-18-dipropanoato(2-)]porphyrin, zinc [2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-18-methyl-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl-2,18-dipropanoato(2-)]porphyrin, zincate(1-) [2-[3,7,-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl-0-2,4,6,8-nonatetraenyl]3,7,12,17-tetramethyl-2-18-dipropanoato(3-)]porphyrin, Indium deuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, palladium deuteroprophyrin diethylester, tin deuteroporphyrin, tin deuteroprophyrin dimethyl ester, zinc[[methyl18-[3-[[1- 9-1 H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl0-2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-oxopropyl]-3,7,12,17-2,18-propanoato(2-)]porphyrin, Indium 7,12-diiododeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, Tin 7,12-diiododeuteroporphyrin, Zinc 7,12-dibromodeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, Zinc 7-bromodeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, Zinc 7-iododeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, Zinc 7,12-diiododeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, Zinc 7,12-dibromodeuteroporphyrin, palladium deuteroprophyrin, platinum [2,8,12,17-tetramethyl-3,7-dipropyl-porphyrinato(2-), platinum deuteroprophyrin dimethyl ester, Zinc 2,4-diiododeuteroporphyrin dimethyl ester, or Zinc 7,12-diiododeuteroporphyrin dioctyl ester.  
 
     
     
         63 . Compounds according to  claim 62  wherein M is Ga 3+ , where associated with the coordinated gallium is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion; with the proviso that when R 1  and R 2 =H, R 5  cannot be CH 3 , and when R 1  and R 2 =C 1 -C 7  alkyl and n=2, R 10  or R 11  cannot be a functional group that possesses pentetic acid (DTPA), polyfunctional carboxyl compounds or cyclen functional groups that are capable of binding metal ions with atomic numbers of 20-32, 37-39, 42-51 or 57-83.  
     
     
         64 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein said gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of the following formula II:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  to R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of molecular weight less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion, CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )0-alkoxy, CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 12 , where R 12  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 13 , where R 13  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di- or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 14 , (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 14 , or (CHX) n CO 2 R 14 , where X is a halogen and R 14  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 15 ), CONHNH(R 15 ), CO(R 15 ), CON(R 15 ) 2 , CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 15 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 15 , (CHX) n CONH(R 15 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CHX) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), or (CHX) n COR 15 , where X is a halogen and R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 )(R 18 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 )(R 18 )(R 19 ) + A, where R 17 , R 18  and R 19  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 17 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 17 , R 18  and R 19  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 20 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 20 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 20 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 20  where R 20  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 21  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 21 , where R 21  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 22 , SO 2 NHR 22 , SO 2 NHNHR 22 , SO 2 N(R 22 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 22 )(R 23 ), or SO 2 R 22 , where R 22  and R 23  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 22  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4 , R 6 -R 7 , R 9 -R 10 , R 4 -R 5 , R 5 -R 6 , R 8 -R 9 , R 9 -R 10 , R 11 -R 12  and R 12 -R 1  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+  where associated with the metal ion is a physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ion.  
 
     
     
         65 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 6  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H 1  halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 7 , where R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 10 ), CONHNH(R 10 ), CO(R 10 ), CON(R 10 ) 2 , CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 10 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 10 , (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CHX) n COR 10 , where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 13 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 NHNHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 17  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+  where associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         66 . A metalloazaporphyrin of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 6  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 7 , where R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 10 ), CONHNH(R 10 ), CO(R 10 ), CON(R 10 ) 2 , CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 10 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 10 , (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CHX) n COR 10 , where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 NHNHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ) or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  are the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 17  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 M is Ga 3+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         67 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyin is a compound of the following formula IIA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 6  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 7 , where R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 10 ), CONHNH(R 10 ), CO(R 10 ), CON(R 10 ) 2 , CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 10 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 10 , (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CHX) n COR 10 , where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 13 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 NHNHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ) or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 17  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may optionally bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+  where associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         68 . A compound of the following formula II:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  to R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, N(alkyl) 3   + A (where A is a charge balancing ion), CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O -alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl,  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl; where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 12  where R 12  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 13 , where R 13  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 14 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 14 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 14 , where X is a halogen, and R 14  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 15 ), CONHNH(R 15 ), CO(R 15 ), CON(R 15 ) 2 , CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 15 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 15 , (CHX) n CONH(R 15 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 15 ), (CHX) n CON(R 15 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 15 )(R 16 ), or (CHX) n COR 15 , where X is a halogen, and R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 17 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 )(R 18 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 17 )(R 18 )(R 19 ) + A, where R 17 , R 18  and R 19  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 17 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 17 , R 18  and R 19  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 20 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 20 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 20 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 20  where R 20  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 21  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 21 , where R 21  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 22 , SO 2 NHR 22 , SO 2 NHNHR 22 , SO 2 N(R 22 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 22 )(R 23 ), and SO 2 R 22  where R 22  and R 23  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 22  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 All of which may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy groups, alkyl groups, carboxyl groups and its esters and amides and sulfonic acid groups and their esters and amides; and wherein  
 M is a metal selected from Ga 3+  Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 3+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , and Mg 2+ ,  
 wherein and where necessary associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions;  
 where R 1 -R 11  may possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral;  
 with the proviso that formula II excludes the following compounds: 
 R 1 , R 4 , R 6 , R 9  are ethyl, R 2 , R 3 , R 7 , R 10  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Mg;  
 R 1 , R 4 , R 7 , R 9  are ethyl, R 2 , R 3 , R 6 , R 10  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 4 , R 6 , R 10  are ethyl, R 2 , R 3 , R 7 , R 9  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 4 , R 7 , R 9  are Me, R 2 , R 3 , R 6 , R 10  are Et, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 4 , R 6 , R 10  are Me, R 2 , R 3 , R 7 , R 9  are Et, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 3 , R 6 , R 10  are Me, R 2 , R 4  are vinyl, R 7 , R 9  are CH 2 CH 2 CO 2 Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , R 100  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 3 , R 7 , R 10  are ethyl, R 2 , R 4 , R 6 , R 9  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 1  are H, and M=Zn;  
 R 1 , R 3 , R 6 , R 10  are Me, R 2 , R 4  are Et, R 7 , R 9  are CH 2 CH 2 CO 2 Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Zn or Pd;  
 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 6 , R 7 , R 9 , R 10  are Me, R 5 , R 8 , R 11  are H, and M=Pd; and  
 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8  R 9 , R 10 , R 11  are H and M=Zn.  
 
 
     
     
         69 . A compound of the following formula:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 6  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 7 , where R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 10 ), CONHNH(R 10 ), CO(R 10 ), CON(R 10 ) 2 , CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 10 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 10 , (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CHX) n COR 10 , where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter-ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 NHNHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 17  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Y 3+ , Zn 2+ , and Mg 2+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions;  
 with the proviso that when R 1  and R 3  are Me, R 2  and R 4  are vinyl, and R 5  and R 6  are (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 Me, M cannot be Zn; and when R 1  and R 3  are Me, R 2  and R 4  are Et, and R 5  and R 6  are (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 Me, M cannot be Zn 2+ , Pd 2+ , or Mn 3+ .  
 
     
     
         70 . A compound of the following formula IIA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 6  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 7 , where R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 8 , where R 8  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 9 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 9 , where X is a halogen, and R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 10 ), CONHNH(R 10 ), CO(R 10 ), CON(R 10 ) 2 , CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 10 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 10 , (CHX) n CONH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 10 ), (CHX) n CON(R 10 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CHX) n COR 10 , where X is a halogen, and R 10  and R 11  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 12 )(R 13 )(R 14 ) + A, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 12 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 12 , R 13  and R 14  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 15 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 15 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 15 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 15  where R 15  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 16  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 16 , where R 16  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 17 , SO 2 NHR 17 , SO 2 NHNHR 17 , SO 2 N(R 17 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 17 )(R 18 ), or SO 2 R 17 , where R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 17  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons.  
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+ , Y 3 +, Mg 2+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions; with the proviso that when R 1  and R 3  are Me, R 2  and R 4  are vinyl, and R 5  and R 6  are CO 2 Me, M cannot be Zn 2+ ; and when R 1  and R 3  are Me, R 2  and R 4  are Et and R 5  and R 6  are CO 2 Me, M cannot be Zn 2+ , Pd 2+  or Mn 3+ .  
 
     
     
         71 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of formula III:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  to R 10  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group having a molecular weight of about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3  A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )Oaryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 11 , where R 11  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 12 , where R 12  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 13 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 13 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 13 , where X is a halogen, and R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 14 ), CONHNH(R 14 ), CO(R 14 ), CON(R 14 ) 2 , CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 14 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 14 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 14 , (CHX) n CONH(R 14 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CHX) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), or (CHX) n COR 14 , where X is a halogen, and R 14  and R 15  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 )(R 17 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 )(R 17 )(R 18 ) + A, where R 16 , R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 16 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 16 , R 17  and R 18  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 19 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 19 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 19 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 19  where R 19  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 20  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 20 , where R 20  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 21 , SO 2 NHR 21 , SO 2 NHNHR 21 , SO 2 N(R 21 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 21 )(R 22 ), or SO 2 R 21 , where R 21  and R 22  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 21  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 R 1 -R 2 , R 3 -R 4 , R 6 -R 7 , R 8 -R 9 , R 4 -R 5 , R 5 -R 6 , R 9 -R 10 , and R 10 —R 1  may also possess the atoms necessary to form ring systems, either aromatic or not, which themselves may possess heteroatoms that may be charged or neutral or bear one or more functional groups of molecular weight equal to or less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , where associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         72 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of formula IIIA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 CO 2 R 5 , where R 5  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 6 , where R 6  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 7 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , where X is a halogen, and R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 8 ), CONHNH(R 8 ), CO(R 8 ), CON(R 8 ) 2 , CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 8 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 8 , (CHX) n CONH(R 8 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CHX) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), or (CHX) n COR 8 , where X is a halogen, and R 8  and R 9  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 )(R 12 ) + A, where R 10 , R 1  and R 12  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 10 , R 11  and R 12  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 13 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 13 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 13 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 13 , where R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 14  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 14 , where R 14  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 15 , SO 2 NHR 15 , SO 2 NHNHR 15 , SO 2 N(R 15 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 15 )(R 16 ), or SO 2 R 15 , where R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 15  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+ , Y 3+ , Mg 2+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         73 . A compound of formula IIIA:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or a polyhydroxyaryl residue;  
 CO 2 R 5 , where R 5  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 6 , where R 6  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 7 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 7 , where X is a halogen, and R 7  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 8 ), CONHNH(R 8 ), CO(R 8 ), CON(R 8 ) 2 , CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 8 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 8 , (CHX) n CONH(R 8 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 8 ), (CHX) n CON(R 8 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 8 )(R 9 ), or (CHX) n COR 8 , where X is a halogen, and R 8  and R 9  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 10 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 10 )(R 11 )(R 12 ) + A, where R 10 , R 11  and R 12  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 10 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, or where R 10 , R 11  and R 12  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 13 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 13 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 13 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 13  where R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 14  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 14 , where R 14  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 15 , SO 2 NHR 15 , SO 2 NHNHR 15 , SO 2 N(R 15 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 15 )(R 16 ), or SO 2 R 15 , where R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 15  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+ , Y 3 +, and Mg 2+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions;  
 with the proviso that when R 1  and R 2  are Et, and R 3  and R 4  are (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 H or (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 Me, M cannot be Fe 3+ ;  
 when R 1  and R 2  are (CH 2 ) 2 CO 2 Me, M cannot be Fe 3+ ; and  
 when R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are butyl, M cannot be Cu 2+ .  
 
     
     
         74 . A compound of formula III:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 4 , R 6 -R 9 , can be the same or different and can be selected from: H, halogen, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl; 
 CO 2 R 11 , where R 11  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 12 , where R 12  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 13 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 13 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 13 , where X is a halogen, and R 13  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 14 ), CONHNH(R 14 ), CO(R 14 ), CON(R 14 ) 2 , CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 14 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 14 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 14 , (CHX) n CONH(R 14 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 14 ), (CHX) n CON(R 14 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 14 )(R 15 ), or (CHX) n COR 14 , where X is a halogen, and R 14  and R 15  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 16 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 )(R 17 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 16 )(R 17 )(R 18 ) + A, where R 16 , R 17  and R 18  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 16 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 16 , R 17  and R 18  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 19 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 19 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 19 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 19  where R 19  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 20  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 20 , where R 20  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 21 , SO 2 NHR 21 , SO 2 NHNHR 21 , SO 2 N(R 21 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 21 )(R 22 ), or SO 2 R 21 , where R 21  and R 22  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 21  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 where R 5  and R 10  are aryl, heteroaryl or substituted aryl or substituted heteroaryl, which may bear one or more of the substituents selected from: H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Y 3+ , Zn 2+ , Mg 2+  wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         75 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of formula IV:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 8  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 9 , where R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 10 , where R 10  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 11 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , where X is a halogen, and R 11  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 12 ), CONHNH(R 12 ), CO(R 12 ), CON(R 12 ) 2 , CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 12 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 12 , (CHX) n CONH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CHX) n COR 12 , where X is a halogen, and R 12  and R 13  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 )(R 16 ) + A, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 14 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 17 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 17 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 17 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 17  where R 17  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 18  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 18 , where R 18  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 19 , SO 2 NHR 19 , SO 2 NHNHR 19 , SO 2 N(R 19 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 19 )(R 20 ), or SO 2 R 19 , where R 19  and R 20  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 19  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; and  
 A, B, C, and D can be the same or different and can be selected from N, CH, and CR 20 , where R 20  is selected from a halogen, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+ , where associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         76 . The method of claims  2  and  9  wherein the gallium azaporphyrin is a compound of formula IV:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 8  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 9 , where R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 10 , where R 10  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 11 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , where X is a halogen, and R 11  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 12 ), CONHNH(R 12 ), CO(R 12 ), CON(R 12 ) 2 , CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 12 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 12 , (CHX) n CONH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CHX) n COR 12 , where X is a halogen, and R 12  and R 13  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 )(R 16 ) + A, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 14 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 17 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 17 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 17 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 17  where R 17  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 18  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 18 , where R 18  is a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 19 , SO 2 NHR 19 , SO 2 NHNHR 19 , SO 2 N(R 19 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 19 )(R 20 ), or SO 2 R 19 , where R 19  and R 20  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 19  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons; 
 A, B, C, and D can be the same or different and can be selected from N, CH, and CR 20 , where R 20  is selected from a halogen, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 
 M is a diamagnetic or paramagnetic photoactive metal ion selected from Ga 3+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sn 4+ , In 3+ , Ge 4+ , Si 4+ , Al 3+ , Zn 2+ , Y 3+ , and Mg 2+ , wherein associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions.  
 
     
     
         77 . A compound of the following formula IV:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 -R 8  can be the same or different and are selected from: 
 H, halide, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, cyclic alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amide, ester, ether, polyether, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, haloalkoxy group, amino group, alkylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, azo group, arylcarbonyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, sulfinyl group, sulfonyl group, silil group, carbamoyl group, heterocyclic group, nitro group, nitroso group, formyloxy group, isocyano group, cyanate group, isocyanate group, thiocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, N(alkyl) 2 , N(aryl) 2 , CH═CH(aryl), CH═CHCH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; CH═CHCH 2 N + (CH 3 ) 3 A, CH═N(alkyl) 2 A, or N(alkyl) 3   + A, where A is a charge balancing ion; CN, OH, CHO, COCH 3 , CO(alkyl), CO 2 H, CO 2 Na, CO 2 K, CH(CH 3 )OH, CH(CH 3 )O-alkyl, CH(CH 3 )O-alkoxy, or CH(CH 3 )O-aryl;  
 (CH 2 ) n O-alkoxy, or (CH 2 ) n O-alkyl, where n is an integer from 0 to 8;  
 C(X) 2 C(X) 3 , where X is a halogen;  
 CO 2 R 9 , where R 9  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons;  
 (CH 2 ) n OH, or (CH 2 ) n OR 10 , where R 10  is selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a protecting group, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , (CHX) n CO 2 R 11 , or (CX 2 ) n CO 2 R 11 , where X is a halogen, and R 11  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 1 and 4;  
 CONH(R 12 ), CONHNH(R 12 ), CO(R 12 ), CON(R 12 ) 2 , CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CH 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n COR 12 , (CH 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n CONH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CX 2 ) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), (CX 2 ) n COR 12 , (CHX) n CONH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CONHNH(R 12 ), (CHX) n CON(R 12 ) 2 , (CHX) n CON(R 12 )(R 13 ), or (CHX) n COR 12 , where X is a halogen, and R 12  and R 13  can be the same or different and are selected from H, straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, an amino acid, an amino acid ester, an amino acid amide, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n S(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n NHNH(R 14 ), (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 ), or (CH 2 ) n N(R 14 )(R 15 )(R 16 ) + A, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  can be the same or different and are selected from H, NH 2 , straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, amino acids (provided —NH(R 14 ) is part of the amino acid), a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, where R 14 , R 15  and R 16  together possess the atoms necessary to constitute an aromatic ring system, n is an integer between 0 and 4, and A is a physiologically acceptable counter ion;  
 (CH 2 ) n OPO 2 OR 17 , (CH 2 ) n PO(OR 17 ) 2 , (CH 2 ) n PO 2 R 17 , or (CH 2 ) n POR 17  where R 17  is selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 (CH 2 ) n NHCOR 18  or (CH 2 ) n NHNHCOR 18 , where R 18  is a straight or branched chain C 1 -C 20  alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocyclic, aryl, heteroaryl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and n is an integer between 0 and 4;  
 SO 3 R 19 , SO 2 NHR 19 , SO 2 NHNHR 19 , SO 2 N(R 19 ) 2 , SO 2 N(R 19 )(R 20 ), or SO 2 R 19 , where R 19  and R 20  can be the same or different and are selected from H, a physiologically acceptable counter ion, a straight or branched chain C1-C20 alkyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, haloheteroalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyalkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyhydroxyaryl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheralkyl residue, a mono-, di-, or polyetheraryl residue, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons, and NHR 19  can also be an amino acid, an amino acid salt, an amino acid ester residue, or an amino acid amide residue;  
 Aryl or substituted aryl, which may bear one or more substituents with a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 100,000 daltons;  
 A, B, C, and D can be the same or different and can be selected from N, CH, and CR 20 , where R 20  is selected from a halogen, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, haloalkyl, heterohaloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyhaloalkyl, or a functional group of less than about 100,000 daltons; and wherein  
 M is Ga 3+  where associated with the metal ion is the appropriate number of physiologically acceptable charge balancing counter ions;  
 with the proviso that where R 1 -R 8  are all phenyl or H, and A-D are N, M cannot be Ga 3+ .  
 
     
     
         78 . The method of any of claims  55 ,  56 ,  59 ,  60 ,  64 ,  65 ,  67 ,  71 ,  72 ,  75  and  76 , wherein a mammal is treated for disturbances of vascular and perivascular cellular processes selected from proliferation, replication, migration, necrosis, apoptosis, adhesion, matrix deposition, signalling pathways, paracrine and autocrine functions, mediator release, contraction, relaxation, shrinkage, phenotype changes, angiogenesis, aggregation, healing, repair, regulation of surrounding tissue, metabolism and matrices.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said wavelength ranges between about 350 to about 460 nm.  
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said wavelength ranges between about 500 to 600 nm.  
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said energy source is visible or UV light.  
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said metallated azaporphyrin is formulated by encapsulation in carriers selected from water, deionized water, phosphate buffered saline, aqueous ethanol, glucose, amino acids, vegetable oils, liposomes, immunoliposomes, cyclodextrans, microspheres, nanoparticles, lipoproteins, micellular systems or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein said formulation is selected from slow release, a prodrug, tablets, pills, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, granules or capsules.