The present invention provides a quaternary ammonium etidronate compound (QAE) comprising a quaternary ammonium cation and an etidronate anion, having the Formula I.

##STR00001##

A method for the preparation of such compounds is described by reacting a quaternary ammonium salt with an etidronic acid or salt thereof. Variable ratios of each reactant may also be used to form different QAE compounds. The quaternary ammonium etidronate compounds is useful in water treatment, cosmetic, hygiene, personal care, paint, coating, wood treatment, agrochemical, antimicrobial, disinfectant, or biocidal compositions; as the compound provides high anti-corrosive and biocidal properties; and low scaling properties. A water treatment composition is also described, having a QAE compound of Formula I and a water treating biocidal agent, useful in cooling towers and other recirculating water, or recreational water system.

It is intended to provide a novel bisphosphonic acid compound or a salt thereof which shows a remarkable inhibitory effect on ectopic calcification, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The present invention provides a bisphosphonic acid compound represented by the following formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

##STR00001##

wherein represents a single bond or a double bond; A represents a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon or a saturated heterocyclic ring comprising a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom; and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a haloalkoxy group, a haloalkyl group, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom.

A copolymer includes a main hydrocarbon chain and side groups including carboxylic groups and polyoxyalkylate groups. The copolymer further includes gem-bisphosphonate groups. The copolymer can be included in an admixture for suspensions of mineral particles and in a composition of mineral particles. The copolymer can also be used for fluidifying and maintaining fluid, suspensions of mineral particles and for reducing the sensitivity of hydraulic compositions to clays and alkaline sulfates.

A compound or a polymer is claimed. A first formula can be

##STR00001##

wherein X is H, CH.sub.3, CN, phenyl, substituted phenyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.mZ, or phenyl(CH.sub.2).sub.mZ; T is O, N, S or NH; m equals 1 to 20; n equals 1-100; and Z is CN, NH.sub.2, Thiol, OH, or CO.sub.2H. The second formula is:

##STR00002##

wherein X is H, CH.sub.3, CN, phenyl, substituted phenyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.mZ, or phenyl(CH.sub.2).sub.mZ; and Z is CN, NH.sub.2, Thiol, OH, or CO.sub.2H. The third formula is

##STR00003##

wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are independently: H, CH.sub.3, OH, or a halogen.

Methods for stabilizing one or more peroxide compounds in solution comprising adding to the solution an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group comprising (i) cyclic carbonates; (ii) poly-phosphonic acid chelating agents and salts thereof, and alkaline pH adjusting agents with a pKb value of up to 3.0, wherein the w/w ratio of the poly-phosphonic acid chelating agent or salt thereof to alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide is from about 1:1 to about 50:1; and (iii) mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are solutions comprising the above compounds, uses of the above compounds to stabilize peroxide compounds in solutions, and compounds recited above for use as novel stabilizers.

The present invention provides novel bisphosphonates vinylic monomers, polymers and particles that have utility as biologically active molecule (such as drugs) carriers, medical device coatings and for imaging/radiology applications, especially in bone and dental applications. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing the monomers, polymerizing the polymers, and assembling the particles of the invention.