Manganese-oxo clusters as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

摘要

Nanoparticles for use as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents are described. The nanoparticles are made up of a polymeric support and a manganese-oxo or manganses-iron-oxo cluster having magnetic properties suitable of a contrast agent. The manganese-oxo clusters may be Mn-12 clusters, which have known characteristics of a single molecule magnet. The polymer support may form a core particle which is coated by the clusters, or the clusters may be dispersed within the polymeric agent.

主权项

1. A contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging comprising: nanoparticles, wherein said nanoparticles comprise:
a polymer support; and a manganese-iron-oxo cluster of formula II:
[Mn8Fe4(O2R)16(H2O)4]  II, or formula III:
[Mn8(Fe4O12(O2R)16(H2O)4]  III wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, vinyl, halo, oxy, and oxyalkyl; wherein the nanoparticles of the present invention are from about 5 to about 1000 nm in diameter; and wherein (i) the polymer support is a carboxylate-coated polymeric bead comprising styrene, vinyl benzoic acid, vinyl alcohol, or a co-polymer thereof and the clusters are bonded to the surface of the carboxylate-coated polymeric bead, or (ii) the polymer support is a co-polymer comprising (a) styrene, vinyl benzoic acid, or vinyl alcohol, and (b) the clusters.