https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7027-8396
Abstract
Mn(II) has several favorable physicochemical characteristics and a good toxicity profile, which makes it a viable alternative to the Gd(III)-based MRI contrast agents currently used in clinics. Although many studies have been undertaken in the last 10 years, this is a field of investigation still in rapid and continuous development. This review aims to critically discuss the chemical and magnetic properties of Mn(II) compounds relevant as MRI probes, both small complexes and nanosystems containing a large number of metal centers, the possible approaches for optimizing their efficiency by understanding the role of various molecular parameters that control the relaxation processes, and the most important issues related to stability and kinetic inertness.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors, M Botta, F Carniato and L Tei, acknowledge the financial support from Università del Piemonte Orientale (Ricerca locale 2016). The authors, D Esteban-Gómez and C Platas-Iglesias, thank Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (CTQ2016-76756-P) and Xunta de Galicia (ED431B 2017/59 and ED431D 2017/01) for generous financial support. This work was carried out within the framework of the COST CA15209 Action ‘European Network on NMR Relaxometry’. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.