Exceptionally Inert Lanthanide(III) PARACEST MRI Contrast Agents Based on an 18-Membered Macrocyclic Platform

We report a macrocyclic ligand based on a 3,6,10,13-tetraaza-1,8(2,6)-dipyridinacyclotetradecaphane platform containing four hydroxyethyl pendant arms (L(1)) that forms extraordinary inert complexes with Ln(3+) ions. The [EuL(1)](3+) complex does not undergo dissociation in 1 M HCl over a period of months at room temperature. Furthermore, high concentrations of phosphate and Zn(2+) ions at room temperature do not provoke metal-complex dissociation. The X-ray crystal structures of six Ln(3+) complexes reveal ten coordination of the ligand to the metal ions through the six nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and the four oxygen atoms of the hydroxyethyl pendant arms. The analysis of the Yb(3+)- and Pr(3+)-induced paramagnetic (1)H NMR shifts show that the solid-state structures are retained in aqueous solution. The intensity of the (1)H NMR signal of bulk water can be modulated by saturation of the signals of the hydroxy protons of Pr(3+), Eu(3+), and Yb(3+) complexes following chemical-exchange saturation transfer (CEST). The ability of these complexes to provide large CEST effects at 25 and 37 °C and pH 7.4 was confirmed by using CEST magnetic resonance imaging experiments.