Unprecedented Kinetic Inertness for a Mn2+‐Bispidine Chelate: A Novel Structural Entry for Mn2+‐Based Imaging Agents

Abstract

AbstractThe search for more biocompatible alternatives to Gd3+‐based MRI agents, and the interest in 52Mn for PET imaging call for ligands that form inert Mn2+ chelates. Given the labile nature of Mn2+, high inertness is challenging to achieve. The strongly preorganized structure of the 2,4‐pyridyl‐disubstituted bispidol ligand L1 endows its Mn2+ complex with exceptional kinetic inertness. Indeed, MnL1 did not show any dissociation for 140 days in the presence of 50 equiv. of Zn2+ (37 °C, pH 6), while recently reported potential MRI agents MnPyC3A and MnPC2A‐EA have dissociation half‐lives of 0.285 h and 54.4 h under similar conditions. In addition, the relaxivity of MnL1 (4.28 mm−1 s−1 at 25 °C, 20 MHz) is remarkable for a monohydrated, small Mn2+ chelate. In vivo MRI experiments in mice and determination of the tissue Mn content evidence rapid renal clearance of MnL1. Additionally, L1 could be radiolabeled with 52Mn and the complex revealed good stability in biological media.