(1)H relaxivity of water in aqueous suspensions of Gd(3+)-loaded NaY nanozeolites and AlTUD-1 mesoporous material: the influence of Si/Al ratio and pore size

The results of a (1)H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) and EPR study on aqueous suspensions of Gd(3+)-loaded NaY nanozeolites and AlTUD-1 mesoporous material are described. Upon increase of the Si/Al ratio from 1.7 to 4.0 in the Gd(3+)-loaded zeolites, the relaxation rate per mM Gd(3+) (r1) at 40 MHz and 25 degrees C increases from 14 to 27 s(-)1 mM(-1). The NMRD and EPR data were fitted with a previously developed two-step model that considers the system as a concentrated aqueous solution of Gd(3+) in the interior of the zeolite that is in exchange with the bulk water outside the zeolite. The results show that the observed increase in relaxivity can mainly be attributed to the residence lifetime of the water protons in the interior of the material, which decreased from 0.3 to 0.2 micros, upon the increase of the Si/Al ratio. This can be explained by the decreased interaction of water with the zeolite walls as a result of the increased hydrophobicity. The importance of the exchange rate of water between the inside and the outside of the material was further demonstrated by the relatively high relaxivity (33 s(-1) mM(-1) at 40 MHz, 25 degrees C) observed for a suspension of the Gd(3+)-loaded mesoporous material AlTUD-1. Unfortunately, Gd(3+) leaches rather easily from that material, but not from the Gd(3+)-loaded NaY zeolites, which may have potential as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.     

Multiexponential electronic spin relaxation and Redfield's limit in Gd(III) complexes in solution: consequences for 17O/1H NMR and EPR simultaneous analysis

Multiple experiments (17O NMR, 1H NMR, and EPR) have been performed in the past to understand the microscopic parameters that control the magnetic relaxation rate enhancement induced by paramagnetic molecules on neighboring water protons, the so-called relaxivity. The generally accepted theories of the electron spin relaxation of S = 7/2 ions such as Gd3+ (Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan or simplified Hudson-Lewis) are unsatisfactory for a simultaneous analysis. Recently, an improved theory, where the electron spin relaxation is due to the combination of a static (thus explicitly linked to the molecular structure) and a dynamic zero field splitting, has been developed and tested on experimental EPR data. The model has also been extended beyond the electronic Redfield limit using Monte Carlo simulations. Using the aqua ion [Gd(H2O)8]3+ as a test case, we present here the first simultaneous analysis of 17O NMR, 1H NMR, and EPR relaxation data using this rigorous approach of the electron spin relaxation. We discuss the physical meaning of the calculated parameters. The consequences on future experiments are also considered, especially regarding the analysis of nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles in the study of Gd3+ complexes.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of MRI-relevant GdIII chelates: direct access to outer-sphere relaxivity

The structure and dynamics of the surrounding water were studied through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for several GdIII polyaminocarboxylate and polyaminophosphonate complexes in aqueous solution. The radial distribution functions (rdf) show that a few water molecules are bonded to the ligand through hydrogen bonds to hydrophilic groups such as carboxylates and phosphonates. Residence times are of the order of 20-25 ps for the polyaminocarboxylate and 56ps for the polyaminophosphonate chelates. No preferred orientation or bonding of water molecules is observed in the hydrophobic region of the anisotropic macrocyclic complexes. Our rdf allow calculation of the outer-sphere contribution to the nuclear magnetic resonance dispersion (NMRD) profiles using Freed's finite differences method, including electronic relaxation. The results show that the commonly used analytical force-free model is only an empirical relationship. When experimental outer-sphere NMRD profiles are available ([Gd(teta)]- and [Gd(dotp)]5-(teta=N,N',N",N"'-tetracarboxymethyl-1,4,8,11- tetraazacyclotetradecane; dotp = N,N',N",N"'-tetraphosphonatomethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) the calculated curves are in good agreement. In the case of [Gd(teta)]-, the comparison with the experimental NMRD profile has led us to predict a very fast electronic relaxation, which has been confirmed by the EPR spectrum.     

Gadolinium(III)-loaded nanoparticulate zeolites as potential high-field MRI contrast agents: relationship between structure and relaxivity

The effects of dealumination, pore size, and calcination on the efficiency (as expressed in the relaxivity) of Gd3+-loaded zeolites for potential application as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents were studied. Partial dealumination of zeolites NaY or NaA by treatment with (NH4)2SiF6 or diluted HCl resulted in materials that, upon loading with Gd3+, had a much higher relaxivity than the corresponding non-dealuminated materials. Analysis of the 1H NMR dispersion profiles of the various zeolites showed that this can be mainly ascribed to an increase of the amount of water inside the zeolite cavities as a result of the destruction of walls between cavities. However, the average residence time of water inside the Gd3+-loaded cavities did not change significantly, which suggests that the windows of the Gd3+-loaded cavities are not affected by the dealumination. Upon calcination, the Gd3+ ions moved to the small sodalite cavities and became less accessible for water, resulting in a decrease in relaxivity. The important role of diffusion for the relaxivity was demonstrated by a comparison of the relaxivity of Gd3+-loaded zeolite NaY and NaA samples. NaA had much lower relaxivities due to the smaller pore sizes. The transversal relaxivities of the Gd3+-doped zeolites are comparable in magnitude to the longitudinal ones at low magnetic fields (<60 MHz). However at higher fields, the transversal relaxivities steeply increased, whereas the longitudinal relaxivities decreased as field strength increased. Therefore, these materials have potential as T1 MRI contrast agents at low field, and as T2 agents at higher fields.     

Nanodispersed Suspensions of Zeolite Catalysts for Converting Dimethyl Ether into Olefins

Nanodispersed suspensions that are effective in DME conversion and stable in the reaction zone in a three-phase system (slurry reactor) are obtained from MFI zeolite commercial samples (TsVM, IK-17-1, and CBV) in liquid media via ultrasonic treatment (UST). It is found that the dispersion medium, in which ultrasound affects zeolite commercial sample, has a large influence on particle size in the suspension. UST in the aqueous medium produces zeolite nanoparticles smaller than 50 nm, while larger particles of MFI zeolite samples form in silicone or hydrocarbon oils. Spectral and adsorption data show that when zeolites undergo UST in an aqueous medium, the acid sites are redistributed on the zeolite surface and the specific surface area of the mesopores increases. Preliminary UST in aqueous media of zeolite commercial samples (TsVM, IK-17-1, and CBV) affects the catalytic properties of MFI zeolite nanodispersed suspensions. The selectivity of samples when paraffins and olefins form is largely due to superacid sites consisting of OH groups of hydroxonium ion H₃O⁺.     

Lanthanide(III) complexes with ligands derived from a cyclen framework containing pyridinecarboxylate pendants. The effect of steric hindrance on the hydration number

Two new macrocyclic ligands, 6,6′-((1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)bis(methylene))dipicolinic acid (H2DODPA) and 6,6′-((4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diyl)bis(methylene))dipicolinic acid (H2Me-DODPA), designed for complexation of lanthanide ions in aqueous solution, have been synthesized and studied. The X-ray crystal structure of [Yb(DODPA)](PF6)·H2O shows that the metal ion is directly bound to the eight donor atoms of the ligand, which results in a square-antiprismatic coordination around the metal ion. The hydration numbers (q) obtained from luminescence lifetime measurements in aqueous solution of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes indicate that the DODPA complexes contain one inner-sphere water molecule, while those of the methylated analogue H2Me-DODPA are q = 0. The structure of the complexes in solution has been investigated by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, as well as by theoretical calculations performed at the density functional theory (DFT; mPWB95) level. The minimum energy conformation calculated for the Yb(III) complex [Λ(λλλλ)] is in good agreement with the experimental structure in solution, as demonstrated by the analysis of the Yb(III)-induced paramagnetic 1H shifts. The nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles recorded for [Gd(Me-DODPA)]+ are typical of a complex with q = 0, where the observed relaxivity can be accounted for by the outer-sphere mechanism. However, [Gd(DODPA)]+ shows NMRD profiles consistent with the presence of both inner- and outer-sphere contributions to relaxivity. A simultaneous fitting of the NMRD profiles and variable temperature 17O NMR chemical shifts and transversal relaxation rates provided the parameters governing the relaxivity in [Gd(DODPA)]+. The results show that this system is endowed with a relatively fast water exchange rate k(ex)(298) = 58 × 10(6) s(–1).     

Relaxivity and water exchange studies of a cationic macrocyclic gadolinium(III) complex

We conducted relaxometric and water exchange studies of the cationic [Gd((S,S,S,S)-THP)(H2O)]3+ complex (THP 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-propyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). While the NMRD profiles obtained are typical for DOTA-like complexes (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate), variable-temperature 7O NMR investigations revealed a relatively high water exchange rate (k(298)(ex) = 1.89 x 10(7) s(-1)). These results differ from those reported for other cationic tetraamide macrocyclic Gd(III) complexes, which exhibit characteristically low exchange rates. Since the low exchange rates are attributed partially to the geometry of the M isomer (square antiprismatic) in the tetraamide derivatives, the atypical water exchange rate observed in [Gd((S,S,S,S)-THP-(H2O)]3+ may result from a twisted square antiprismatic structure in this complex and from the relatively high steric strain at the water coordination site as a result of the presence of methyl groups at the alpha-position with respect to the Gd(III)-bound O atoms of THP.     

A high-frequency EPR study of frozen solutions of Gd(III) complexes: straightforward determination of the zero-field splitting parameters and simulation of the NMRD profiles

Gd(III) (S = 7/2) polyaminocarboxylates, used as contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), were studied in frozen solutions by High-Frequency-High-Field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (HF-EPR). EPR spectra recorded at 240 GHz and temperatures below 150 K allowed the direct and straightforward determination of parameters governing the strength of zero-field splitting (ZFS). For the first time, a correlation has been established between the sign of the axial ZFS parameter, D, and the nature of the chelating ligand in Gd(III) complexes: positive and negative signs have been observed for acyclic and macrocyclic complexes, respectively. Furthermore, it has been shown that complexes of the less symmetric acyclic DTPA derivatives possess a substantial rhombicity, E, in contrast to the more symmetric macrocyclic DOTA derivatives, where E is negligible. The results obtained are compatible with recent results of liquid-state EPR and allowed to simulate 1H Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profiles with more directly physically meaningful EPR and NMR parameters over the full frequency range from 0.01 to 50 MHz.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of [Gd(egta)(H(2)O)](-) in aqueous solution: internal motions of the poly(amino carboxylate) and water ligands, and rotational correlation times

Molecular dynamics simulations of [Gd(egta)(H(2)O)](-) (egta(4-)=3,12-bis(carboxymethyl)-6,9-dioxa-3,12-diazatetradecanedioate(4-)) have been performed without any artificial constraint on the first coordination sphere, such as covalent bonds between the Gd(3+) and the coordination sites. Two new crystallographic structures were determined for this gadolinium chelate and used to start two molecular dynamics simulations. [Gd(egta)(H(2)O)](-) and [Gd(egta)](-) were both observed during the simulations, with a mean volume for the reaction of dissociation [Gd(egta)(H(2)O)](-)-->[Gd(egta)](-)+H(2)O of +7.2 cm(3)mol(-1), which corroborates the previously published experimental value of +10.5 cm(3)mol(-1). Changes in the conformation of the complex with the inversion of several dihedral angles are observed in the simulations independently from the water dissociation. Very fast changes of the third-order rotation axis direction of the Gd(3+) coordination polyhedron (of symmetry D(3h)) are observed during the simulations and are related to the mechanism of electronic relaxation of the complex. Different rotational correlation times (tau(R)) were calculated from the simulations on various observables of the complex. Protons of the inner sphere have different tau(R). The mean tau(R) of the two Gd-HW(HW=hydrogen of water molecule) vectors is 72% lower than tau(R) of the complex, and 75% lower than tau(R) of the vector Gd-OW (OW=oxygen of water molecule). This discrimination of the tumbling rates should be taken into account in future global (17)O NMR, EPR and NMRD (nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion) data analysis.     

Positively charged GdIII cryptates: slow, associative water exchange

A combined variable-temperature and multiple field 17O NMR, EPR and NMRD study has been performed for the first time on gadolinium(III) complexes of cryptand ligands, L1 and L2, where L1 contains three 2,2'-bipyridine units ([bpy.bpy.bpy]) and L2 is the disubstituted methyl ester derivative of L1. The experimental data have been analysed in a simultaneous fit in order to determine parameters for water exchange, rotational dynamics and electronic relaxation for both complexes. The cryptates have three water molecules in the inner sphere which exchange with a rate of k(ex)298 = 1.8 x 10(6) s(-1) and 0.97 x 10(6) s(-1) for [GdL1(H2O)3]3+ and [GdL2(H2O)3)]3+, respectively. The k(ex)298 values obtained for these positively charged cryptates are smaller than those of the negatively charged Gd-poly(amino carboxylate) complexes. The water exchange mechanism was assessed for [GdL2(H2O)3]3+ by variable-pressure 17O NMR relaxation measurements. Based on the activation volume, DeltaV++ = -2.5 cm3 mol(-1), the water exchange is an associative interchange process. The proton relaxivities, r1, of the cryptate complexes are 9.79 mM(-1) s(-1) for [GdL1(H2O)3]3+ and 11.18 mM(-1) s(-1) for [GdL2(H2O)3]3+ (298 K, 20 MHz), which, due to the presence of three inner sphere water molecules, represent much higher values than those obtained for Gd3+ poly(amino carboxylate) complexes of similar molecular weight.     

High relaxivity gadolinium hydroxypyridonate-viral capsid conjugates: nanosized MRI contrast agents

High relaxivity macromolecular contrast agents based on the conjugation of gadolinium chelates to the interior and exterior surfaces of MS2 viral capsids are assessed. The proton nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles of the conjugates show up to a 5-fold increase in relaxivity, leading to a peak relaxivity (per Gd3+ ion) of 41.6 mM(-1) s(-1) at 30 MHz for the internally modified capsids. Modification of the exterior was achieved through conjugation to flexible lysines, while internal modification was accomplished by conjugation to relatively rigid tyrosines. Higher relaxivities were obtained for the internally modified capsids, showing that (i) there is facile diffusion of water to the interior of capsids and (ii) the rigidity of the linker attaching the complex to the macromolecule is important for obtaining high relaxivity enhancements. The viral capsid conjugated gadolinium hydroxypyridonate complexes appear to possess two inner-sphere water molecules (q = 2), and the NMRD fittings highlight the differences in the local motion for the internal (tauRl = 440 ps) and external (tauRl = 310 ps) conjugates. These results indicate that there are significant advantages of using the internal surface of the capsids for contrast agent attachment, leaving the exterior surface available for the installation of tissue targeting groups.     

Relaxometric and solution NMR structural studies on ditopic lanthanide(III) complexes of a phosphinate analogue of DOTA with a fast rate of water exchange

A novel "ditopic" ligand containing two monophosphinate triacetate DOTA-like units linked by a thiourea bridge has been synthesized and its complexes with Ln3+ ions (Ln = Y, Eu, Gd, Dy) investigated by NMR spectroscopy and relaxometry. The presence of one water molecule in the first coordination sphere has been determined by the measurement of the dysprosium(III)-induced 17O NMR shifts. The 1H and 31P NMR spectra of the Eu(III) derivative indicate a higher abundance of the fast-exchanging twisted square antiprismatic (m) isomer than the isomeric square antiprismatic (M; m/M = 3:2) complex. The analysis of the 89Y and 13C T1 NMR relaxation times in the Gd(III)/Y(III) mixed complex have provided useful structural information. Values of ca. 6.3 and 8.2 A for the Gd...Y and Gd...C distances, respectively, have been estimated which indicate a rather compact solution structure. This result finds support in the value of the relaxivity whose increase (at 20 MHz and 298 K) on passing from the monomeric (5.7 s(-1) mM(-1)) to the ditopic complex (8.2 s(-1) mM(-1)) can be attributed to the doubling of the inner-sphere term following the doubling of the molecular size. The structural and dynamic relaxivity-controlling parameters were assessed by a simultaneous fitting of the variable temperature 17O NMR and 1H NMRD relaxometric data. The mean water residence lifetime (298tauM) has been found to be 53 ns, one of the shortest values reported for ditopic complexes. The reorientational correlation time is two times longer (298tauR = 183 ps) than the corresponding value of the parent monomeric Gd(III) complex, thus supporting the view of a limited degree of internal rotation. The possible influence of magnetic Gd-Gd coupling has been excluded by a comparison of the 1H NMRD profiles of the homodinuclear Gd(III)/Gd(III) and the heterodinuclear Gd(III)/Y(III) complexes.     

Synthesis and properties of europium-based phosphors on the nanometer scale: Eu2O3, Gd2O3:Eu, and Y2O3:Eu

Nanocrystals of oxides containing europium as the main constituent or as a doping element in RE2O3 ( RE=Y, Gd) have been prepared by direct oxide precipitation in high-boiling polyalcohol solutions and characterized by high-resolution TEM, absorption spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. The samples obtained consisted of concentrated and colloidally stable suspensions of luminescent oxide nanoparticles with an average grain diameter in the range 2-5 nm. The nanoparticles were found to be highly crystalline despite their ultrasmall size and the low temperature of 180 degrees C applied during the synthesis. Upon UV excitation, the red luminescence relative to the 5D0-->7Fn transition within the cubic form of RE2O3 exhibits some important differences from that usually found in bulk materials.     

Multiple-frequency EPR spectra of two aqueous Gd3+ polyamino polypyridine carboxylate complexes: a study of high field effects

In the search for highly efficient magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, polyamino polypyridine carboxylate complexes of Gd3+ have shown unusual properties with both very rapid and very slow electron spin relaxation in solution observed by electron paramagnetic resonance. Since the relationship between the molecular structure and the electron spin properties remains quite obscure at this point, detailed studies of such complexes may offer useful clues for the design of Gd3+ compounds with tailored electronic features. Furthermore, the availability of very high-frequency EPR spectrometers based on quasi-optical components provides us with an opportunity to test the existing relaxation theories at increasingly high magnetic fields and observation frequencies. We present a detailed EPR study of two gadolinium polyamino polypyridine carboxylate complexes, [Gd(tpaen)]- and [Gd(bpatcn)(H2O)], in liquid aqueous solutions at multiple temperatures and frequencies between 9.5 and 325 GHz. We analyze the results using the model of random zero-field splitting modulations through Brownian rotation and molecular deformations. We consider the effect of concentration on the line width, as well as the possible existence of an additional g-tensor modulation relaxation mechanism and its possible impact on future experiments. We use (17)O NMR to characterize the water exchange rate on [Gd(bpatcn)(H2O)] and find it to be slow (approximately 0.6 x 10(6) s-1).     

Fine-tuning water exchange on Gd(III) poly(amino carboxylates) by modulation of steric crowding

In the objective of optimizing water exchange rate on stable, nine-coordinate, monohydrated Gd(III) poly(amino carboxylate) complexes, we have prepared monopropionate derivatives of DOTA4- (DO3A-Nprop4-) and DTPA5- (DTTA-Nprop5-). A novel ligand, EPTPA-BAA(3-), the bisamylamide derivative of ethylenepropylenetriamine-pentaacetate (EPTPA5-) was also synthesized. A variable temperature 17O NMR study has been performed on their Gd(III) complexes, which, for [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(EPTPA-BAA)(H2O)] has been combined with multiple field EPR and NMRD measurements. The water exchange rates, k(ex)(298), are 8.0 x 10(7) s(-1), 6.1 x 10(7) s(-1) and 5.7 x 10(7) s(-1) for [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2-, [Gd(DO3A-Nprop)(H2O)]- and [Gd(EPTPA-BAA)(H2O)], respectively, all in the narrow optimal range to attain maximum proton relaxivities, provided the other parameters (electronic relaxation and rotation) are also optimized. The substitution of an acetate with a propionate arm in DTPA5- or DOTA4- induces increased steric compression around the water binding site and thus leads to an accelerated water exchange on the Gd(III) complex. The k(ex) values on the propionate complexes are, however, lower than those obtained for [Gd(EPTPA)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(TRITA)(H2O)]- which contain one additional CH(2) unit in the amine backbone as compared to the parent [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2- and [Gd(DOTA)(H2O)]-. In addition to their optimal water exchange rate, [Gd(DTTA-Nprop)(H2O)]2- has, and [Gd(DO3A-Nprop)(H2O)]- is expected to have sufficient thermodynamic stability. These properties together make them prime candidates for the development of high relaxivity, macromolecular MRI contrast agents.     

Structure, stability and relaxivity of trinuclear triangular complexes

The self-assembly of a carbonylpyridine-based heptadentate ligand with Ln(III) results in the formation of triangular trinuclear europium complexes, which exhibit interesting luminescent properties in the solid state and in solution. With a view to developing multimodal responsive systems, we report here the preparation and characterisation of analogous complexes with Gd(III). The X-ray crystal structure of Gd(3)L2(3) indeed reveals the isostructurality with the Eu(III) complexes. A combination of (1)H NMRD and variable temperature studies yields the parameters elucidating the exchange of coordinated water and relaxivity properties. Conveniently, the competitive spectrophotometric titrations with EDTA and NTA are used to determine the thermodynamic stability constants of the europium complexes in aqueous media. In addition, the exchange reaction with EDTA is monitored with NMR and fluorimetry. The interactions of the Eu(III) trinuclear complex with some potentially interfering ligands are qualitatively investigated by means of luminescence titrations.     

EPR and NMR in powders of doped and undoped IV-VI crystals

The results of the extensive investigations of the variation of the EPR and NMR spectra of active centers due to the existence of the native defects generated by disorder in the IV-VI semiconductor matrices are presented. Both undoped and doped with Gd impurity powder samples of different grain sizes, made from Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te crystals with the composition in the range 0 < or = x < or = 0.2 were studied. Impurity Gd ions were used as the paramagnetic EPR probe, whereas the 207 Pb nuclei as the NMR probe. The following aspects have been ascertained. (i) Grinding of the initial single crystals into powders leads to an additional component line appearing in the NMR spectra of the 207 Pb nuclei and also to a significant increase in the intensity of EPR spectra of the impurity Gd ions. (ii) Both the Gd EPR spectra as well as the 207 Pb NMR spectra undergo modifications due to isothermal annealing, whereas the character of these modifications is determined by both the temperature and duration of the thermal treatment applied. (iii) Some characteristic correlation between the variation of the EPR spectra of impurity Gd ions and that of the NMR spectra of 207 Pb nuclei, which results from the annealing of the samples, has been observed. Experimental results are interpreted based on the prevailing models of the behavior of the doped impurities and the native defects in the lead and tin telluride crystals.     

DOTA-bis(amide)]lanthanide complexes: NMR evidence for differences in water-molecule exchange rates for coordination isomers

Two derivatives of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane with trans-acetate and trans-amide side-chain ligating groups have been prepared and their complexes with lanthanide cations examined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. These lanthanide complexes exist in aqueous solution as a mixture of slowly interconverting coordination isomers with 1H chemical shifts similar to those reported previously for the major (M) and minor (m) forms of the tetraacetate ([Ln(dota)]-) and tetraamide ([Ln(dtma)]3+) complexes. As in the [Ln(dota)]- and [Ln(dtma)]3+ complexes, the m/M ratio proved to be a sensitive function of lanthanide size and temperature. An analysis of 1H hyperfine shifts in spectra of the Yb3+ complexes revealed significant differences between the axial (D1) and non-axial (D2) components of the magnetic susceptibility tensor anisotropy in the m and M coordination isomers and the energetics of ring inversion and m <==> M isomerization as determined by two-dimensional exchange spectroscopy (EXSY). (17)O shift data for the Dy3+ complexes showed that both have one inner-sphere water molecule. A temperature-dependent (17)O NMR study of bulk water linewidths for solutions of the Gd3+ complexes provided direct evidence for differences in water exchange rates for the two coordination isomers. The bound-water lifetimes (tauM298) in the M and m isomers of the Gd3+ complexes ranged from 1.4-2.4 micros and 3-14 ns, respectively. This indicates that 1) the inner-sphere water lifetimes for the complexes with a single positive charge reported here are considerably shorter for both coordination isomers than the corresponding values for the [Gd(dtma)]3+ complex with three positive charges, and 2) the difference in water lifetimes for M and m isomers in these two series is magnified in the [Gd[dota-bis(amide)]] complexes. This feature highlights the remarkable role of both charge and molecular geometry in determining the exchange rate of the coordinated water.     

Lanthanide chelates containing pyridine units with potential application as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging

A new pyridine-containing ligand, N,N'-bis(6-carboxy-2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (H(4)L), has been designed for the complexation of lanthanide ions. (1)H and (13)C NMR studies in D(2)O solutions show octadentate binding of the ligand to the Ln(III) ions through the nitrogen atoms of two amine groups, the oxygen atoms of four carboxylates, and the two nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings. Luminescence measurements demonstrate that both Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes are nine-coordinate, whereby a water molecule completes the Ln(III) coordination sphere. Ligand L can sensitize both the Eu(III) and Tb(III) luminescence; however, the quantum yields of the Eu(III)- and Tb(III)-centered luminescence remain modest. This is explained in terms of energy differences between the singlet and triplet states on the one hand, and between the 0-phonon transition of the triplet state and the excited metal ion states on the other. The anionic [Ln(L)(H2O)]- complexes (Ln=La, Pr, and Gd) were also characterized by theoretical calculations both in vacuo and in aqueous solution (PCM model) at the HF level by means of the 3-21G* basis set for the ligand atoms and a 46+4 f(n) effective core potential for the lanthanides. The structures obtained from these theoretical calculations are in very good agreement with the experimental solution structures, as demonstrated by paramagnetic NMR measurements (lanthanide-induced shifts and relaxation-rate enhancements). Data sets obtained from variable-temperature (17)O NMR at 7.05 T and variable-temperature (1)H nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) on the Gd(III) complex were fitted simultaneously to give insight into the parameters that govern the water (1)H relaxivity. The water exchange rate (k(298)(ex)=5.0 x 10(6) s(-1)) is slightly faster than in [Gd(dota)(H2O)]- (DOTA=1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Fast rotation limits the relaxivity under the usual MRI conditions.