Novel cromolyn analogs useful as imaging agents for detecting atherosclerotic plaques and for treating atherosclerosis and Alzheimers Disease, and methods of making the cromolyn analogs, are disclosed. The cromolyn analogs have the general formula (I), or formula (II) wherein X is OH, C1-C6 alkoxyl, 18F, or 19F Y and Z are independently selected from a C1-C6 alkyl, CpC6 alkoxyl, halogen, un-substituted or C1-C6 substituted amine, 18F, 19F, or H and n is 1, 2, or 3 and wherein for structure (I), if n are both 1 and Y and Z are both H, X is not OH.
