Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Synthesis and Comparative Evaluation of Photoswitchable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents
Mingchun Gao1, Bowen Shen2, Junhan Zhou2
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States.
Abstract:
A series of spiropyran (SP)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents have been synthesized and evaluated for changes in relaxivity resulting from irradiation with visible light. Both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents were appended to the SP ring in order to study the electronic effects on the photochromic and relaxivity properties of these photoswitchable MRI contrast agents. Photoswitches lacking an electron-withdrawing substituent isomerize readily between the merocyanine and SP forms, while the addition of a nitro group prevents this process. Complexes capable of isomerizing were demonstrated to effect a change in the relaxivity of the appended gadolinium complex.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...

