Simple hybrid polymeric nanostructures encapsulating macro-cyclic Gd/Eu based complexes: luminescence properties and application as MRI contrast agent.

Lanthanide-based macrocycles are successfully incorporated into hybrid polyionic complexes, formed by adding a mixture of zirconium ions to a solution of a double-hydrophilic block copolymer. The resulting nanoobjects with an average radius of approximately 10-15 nm present good colloidal and chemical stability in physiological media even in the presence of competing ions such as phosphate or calcium ions. The final optical and magnetic properties of these objects benefit from both their colloidal nature and the specific properties of the complexes.

New polyaminocarboxylate macrocycles containing phenolate binding units: synthesis, luminescent and relaxometric properties of their lanthanide complexes.

The synthesis of two new polyaminocarboxylate macrocycles incorporating one or two intracyclic phenol units (HL and HL, respectively) is described. The 12-membered HL macrocycle leads to soluble and stable mononuclear Ln complexes of [(L)Ln(HO)] composition (Ln = Eu, Tb and Gd) in aqueous solutions. In Tris buffer (pH 7.