Characterisation and application of ultra-high spin clusters as magnetic resonance relaxation agents.

In Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRT) image contrast can be improved by adding paramagnetic relaxation agents such as lanthanide ions. Here we report on the use of highly paramagnetic isostructural Fe(III)/4f coordination clusters with a [Fe10Ln10] core to enhance relaxation. Measurements were performed over the range of (1)H Larmor frequencies of 10 MHz to 1.

Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxivities: investigations of ultrahigh-spin lanthanide clusters from 10 MHz to 1.4 GHz.

Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement is often explored in magnetic resonance imaging in terms of contrast agents and in biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structure determination. New ultrahigh-spin clusters are investigated with respect to their NMR relaxation properties. As their molecular size and therefore motional correlation times as well as their electronic properties differ significantly from those of conventional contrast agents, questions about a comprehensive characterization arise.