The present disclosure relates to catalytic conversion of ketoacids, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids, the method including the steps of providing in a reactor a feedstock comprising at least one ketoacid. The feedstock is then subjected to one or more CC-coupling reaction(s) in the presence of hydrogen, and in the presence of a catalyst system having both hydrogenation activity and CC-coupling activity.

Catalytic conversion of ketoacids is disclosed, including methods for increasing the molecular weight of ketoacids. An exemplary method includes providing in a reactor a feedstock having at least one ketoacid. The feedstock is then subjected to one or more CC-coupling reaction(s) in the presence of a catalyst system having a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide.

Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of preparation thereof,

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1, Xa, Xb, Xc, and Xd are as described in the specification. Further disclosed is an isotopic mixture of a compound of Formula (I), as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing a hyperpolarized compound of Formula (I). Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a patient suffering from cancer, the method including administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and measuring the hyperpolarization of a compound of interest in the patient. Further disclosed is a method of preparing hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compounds for use in the above methods.

Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of preparation thereof,

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1, Xa, Xb, Xc, and Xd are as described in the specification. Further disclosed is an isotopic mixture of a compound of Formula (I), as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing a hyperpolarized compound of Formula (I). Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing or monitoring a patient suffering from cancer, the method including administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and measuring the hyperpolarization of a compound of interest in the patient. Further disclosed is a method of preparing hyperpolarized ketoglutarate compounds for use in the above methods.