SABRE Hyperpolarization of Bipyridine Stabilized Ir-Complex at High, Low and Ultralow Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Abstract A strong limitation of nuclear magnetic resonance is its low inherent sensitivity that can be overcome by using an appropriate hyperpolarization technique. Presently, dynamic nuclear polarization and spin-exchange optical pumping are the only hyperpolarization techniques that are used in applied medicine. However, both are relatively complex in use and expensive. Here we present a modification of the signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) hyperpolarization method – SABRE on stabilized Ir-complexes. A stabilized Ir-complex (here we used bipyridine for stabilization) can be hyperpolarized in a wide range of magnetic fields from a few μT upto 10 T with 15N polarization of about 1–3%. Moreover, the investigated complex can be incorporated into biomolecules or other bulky molecules; in this situation exchange with para-hydrogen will allow one to continuously generate hyperpolarization.