Parahydrogen-based hyperpolarization for benchtop NMR: principles and emerging applications

Despite the growing demand for compact and cost-effective low-field NMR systems, their broader use remains limited by low sensitivity and reduced spectral resolution. One important approach for addressing these limitations is the integration of parahydrogen-based hyperpolarization with benchtop NMR. Because this hyperpolarization approach can be implemented using relatively simple and low-cost equipment, experimental setups originally developed for high-field NMR can be readily adapted to benchtop systems. Such compatibility makes the parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) and Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) strategies particularly attractive for expanding the analytical capabilities of benchtop NMR. Herein, we review the principles and experimental requirements of PHIP- and SABRE-based hyperpolarization for benchtop NMR, followed by a discussion of their recent applications, current challenges, and future opportunities for chemical, biological, and biomedical analysis.