Bisphosphonates: Synthesis, structures, properties, medical and industrial applications

• The synthesis, crystallographic data, complexes in aqueous phase of bisphosphonates (BPs), and solubility data are reviewed. • Industrial applications of BPs as scale and corrosion inhibitors are summarized. • Novel information on the mechanisms of BPs activity, provided by fluorescent-tagged bisphosphonates is described. • A summary of traditional medical applications of BPs is supplemented by their novel applications as nanomaterials. • The future research opportunities and challenges are discussed. This review is a first attempt to overview both medical and industrial applications of bisphosphonates (BPs) at once, with an emphasis on structure – property relationships. The manuscript embraces synthesis, crystallographic data, thermodynamics of complex formation in aqueous phase, and solubility data. All these aspects are treated as a background for BPs major industrial applications (scale and corrosion inhibition; cation separations) and for numerous applications in medicine: drugs for bone diseases (hypercalcemia, osteoporosis and Paget’s disease); drugs for cancer treatment; drug carriers; contrasting agents. A special focus is set on the nanodrugs. Industrial applications of BPs as scale and corrosion inhibitors are presented with the focus on novel information on the mechanisms of their activity, provided by fluorescent-tagged bisphosphonates. It is demonstrated, that visualization of inhibitor does become a powerful tool for better understanding of scale and corrosion inhibition mechanisms. A summary of traditional medical applications of BPs is supplemented by their novel applications as nanomaterials. At the same time the nanocomposites on the grounds of BPs represent very promising materials for industry. Thus, the present review is illustrated by some recent examples of nanoscale BPs materials.