Manganese-Based Nanoscale Metal−Organic Frameworks for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Manganese-containing nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) with controllable morphologies were synthesized using reverse-phase microemulsion techniques at room temperature and a surfactant-assisted procedure at 120 degrees C with microwave heating. The nanoparticles were characterized using a variety of methods including SEM, TEM, TGA, PXRD, and ICP-MS. Although the nanoparticles gave a modest longitudinal relaxivity (r1) on a per Mn basis, they provided an efficient vehicle for the delivery of large doses of Mn2+ ions which exhibited very high in vitro and in vivo r1 values and afforded excellent MR contrast enhancement. The particle surface was also modified with a silica shell to allow covalent…