The overproduction of reactive oxygen species, such as H2O2, has been implicated in a wide array of pathologies, including many neurological, inflammatory, and cardiovascular disorders. The development of a means to non-invasively visualize in vivo oxidative stress could allow clinicians to diagnose these conditions in more timely manners. We have found that Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes with polydentate quinol-containing ligands display positive T1-weighted responses to H2O2 with negligible responses to O2. The responses of the manganese complexes rely on ligand oxidation, whereas the increased relaxivity of an iron-containing sensor results from metal oxidation. Recent modifications to the ligand design have improved the stabilities of the sensors while amplifying the response to H2O2.

Developing water-stable MRI contrast agent sensors for the visualization of oxidative stress in biological environments

ACS Spring 2022

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