Today, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is based on the detection of water protons (¹H) in tissues. MRI of ¹⁹F fluorine offers complementary advantages, but its use is hampered by a lack of suitable imaging agents, soluble in water and easily detectable. In order to improve the sensitivity of detecting ¹⁹F MRI signals, a CBM team used Mn²⁺ ions to form complexes with small fluorinated molecules. Unlike currently used nanoparticles, these small molecular probes have well-defined chemical structures and better biocompatibility and water solubility. Finally, thanks to the paramagnetism of manganese(II), they generate a strong signal in MRI. In addition, these fluorinated contrast agents are also active in proton MRI, allowing proton and fluorine MRI images to be superimposed for precise anatomical mapping.

This advance, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, opens new horizons in fluorine MRI. It was reported by CNRS Chimie on its website.

Reference :
Small, Fluorinated Mn²⁺ Chelate as an Efficient ¹H and ¹⁹F MRI Probe
Éva Tóth, Zoltán Garda, Frédéric Szeremeta, Océane Quin, Enikő Molnár, Balázs Váradi, Rudy Clémençon, Sandra Même, Chantal Pichon and Gyula Tircsó
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2024
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202410998