Heterogeneous Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization of Diethyl Ether for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the use of hyperpolarized gases as contrast agents provides valuable information on lungs structure and function. While the technology of ¹²⁹ Xe hyperpolarization for clinical MRI research is well developed, it requires the expensive equipment for production and detection of hyperpolarized ¹²⁹ Xe. Herein we present the ¹ H hyperpolarization of diethyl ether vapor that can be imaged on any clinical MRI scanner. ¹ H nuclear spin polarization of up to 1.3 % was achieved using heterogeneous hydrogenation of ethyl vinyl ether with parahydrogen over Rh/TiO₂ catalyst. Liquefaction of diethyl ether vapor proceeds with partial preservation of hyperpolarization and prolongs its lifetime by ≈10 times. The proof-of-principle 2D ¹ H MRI of hyperpolarized diethyl ether was demonstrated with 0.1×1.1 mm² spatial and 120 ms temporal resolution. The long history of use of diethyl ether for anesthesia is expected to facilitate the clinical translation of the presented approach.

SUBMITTER: Salnikov OG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7855047 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature