Trace analysis by low-field NMR: breaking the sensitivity limit

Low-field NMR with multilayer Halbach magnet and NMR selective excitation

This study introduces a low-field NMR spectrometer (LF-NMR) featuring a multilayer Halbach magnet supported by a combined mechanical and electrical shimming system. This setup offers improved field homogeneity and sensitivity compared to spectrometers relying on typical Halbach and dipole magnets. The multilayer Halbach magnet was designed and assembled using three nested cylindrical magnets, with an additional inner Halbach layer that can be rotated for mechanical shimming. The coils and shim-kernel of the electrical shimming system were constructed and coated with layers of zirconia, thermal epoxy, and silver-paste resin to facilitate passive heat dissipation and ensure mechanical and thermal stability. Furthermore, the 7-channel shim coils were divided into two parts connected in parallel, resulting in a reduction of joule heating temperatures from 96.2 to 32.6 °C. Without the shimming system, the Halbach magnet exhibits a field inhomogeneity of approximately 140 ppm over the sample volume. The probehead was designed to incorporate a solenoidal mini coil, integrated into a single planar board. This design choice aimed to enhance sensitivity, minimize [Formula: see text] inhomogeneity, and reduce impedance discrepancies, transmission loss, and signal reflections. Consequently, the resulting linewidth of water within a 3 mm length and 2.4 mm inner diameter sample volume was 4.5 Hz. To demonstrate the effectiveness of spectral editing in LF-NMR applications at 29.934 MHz, we selectively excited hydroxyl and/or methyl protons in neat acetic acid using optimal control pulses calculated through the Krotov algorithm.

SABRE Hyperpolarization with up to 200 bar Parahydrogen in Standard and Quickly Removable Solvents

Parahydrogen (p-H₂)-based techniques are known to drastically enhance NMR signals but are usually limited by p-H₂ supply. This work reports p-H₂-based SABRE hyperpolarization at p-H₂ pressures of hundreds of bar, far beyond the typical ten bar currently reported in the literature. A recently designed high-pressure setup was utilized to compress p-H₂ gas up to 200 bar. The measurements were conducted using a sapphire high-pressure NMR tube and a 43 MHz benchtop NMR spectrometer. In standard methanol solutions, it could be shown that the signal intensities increased with pressure until they eventually reached a plateau. A polarization of about 2%, equal to a molar polarization of 1.2 mmol L^-1, could be achieved for the sample with the highest substrate concentration. While the signal plateaued, the H₂ solubility increased linearly with pressure from 1 to 200 bar, indicating that p-H₂ availability is not the limiting factor in signal enhancement beyond a certain pressure, depending on sample composition. Furthermore, the possibility of using liquefied ethane and compressed CO₂ as removable solvents for hyperpolarization was demonstrated. The use of high pressures together with quickly removable organic/non-organic solvents represents an important breakthrough in the field of hyperpolarization, advancing SABRE as a promising tool for materials science, biophysics, and molecular imaging.

Recent advances in the application of parahydrogen in catalysis and biochemistry

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are analytical and diagnostic tools that are essential for a very broad field of applications, ranging from chemical analytics, to non-destructive testing of materials and the investigation of molecular dynamics, to in vivo medical diagnostics and drug research. One of the major challenges in their application to many problems is the inherent low sensitivity of magnetic resonance, which results from the small energy-differences of the nuclear spin-states. At thermal equilibrium at room temperature the normalized population difference of the spin-states, called the Boltzmann polarization, is only on the order of 10-5. Parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) is an efficient and cost-effective hyperpolarization method, which has widespread applications in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Medical Imaging. PHIP creates its signal-enhancements by means of a reversible (SABRE) or irreversible (classic PHIP) chemical reaction between the parahydrogen, a catalyst, and a substrate. Here, we first give a short overview about parahydrogen-based hyperpolarization techniques and then review the current literature on method developments and applications of various flavors of the PHIP experiment.

Hyperpolarization of Nitrile Compounds Using Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange

Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE), a hyperpolarization technique, has been harnessed as a powerful tool to achieve useful hyperpolarized materials by polarization transfer from parahydrogen. In this study, we systemically applied SABRE to a series of nitrile compounds, which have been rarely investigated. By performing SABRE in various magnetic fields and concentrations on nitrile compounds, we unveiled its hyperpolarization properties to maximize the spin polarization and its transfer to the next spins. Through this sequential study, we obtained a ~130-fold enhancement for several nitrile compounds, which is the highest number ever reported for the nitrile compounds. Our study revealed that the spin polarization on hydrogens decreases with longer distances from the nitrile group, and its maximum polarization is found to be approximately 70 G with 5 μL of substrates in all structures. Interestingly, more branched structures in the ligand showed less effective polarization transfer mechanisms than the structural isomers of butyronitrile and isobutyronitrile. These first systematic SABRE studies on a series of nitrile compounds will provide new opportunities for further research on the hyperpolarization of various useful nitrile materials.

SABRE polarized low field rare-spin spectroscopy

High-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an indispensable technique for identification and characterization of chemicals and biomolecular structures. In the vast majority of NMR experiments, nuclear spin polarization arises from thermalization in multi-Tesla magnetic fields produced by superconducting magnets. In contrast, NMR instruments operating at low magnetic fields are emerging as a compact, inexpensive, and highly accessible alternative but suffer from low thermal polarization at a low field strength and consequently a low signal. However, certain hyperpolarization techniques create high polarization levels on target molecules independent of magnetic fields, giving low-field NMR a significant sensitivity boost. In this study, SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange) was combined with high homogeneity electromagnets operating at mT fields, enabling high resolution ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, and ¹⁹F spectra to be detected with a single scan at magnetic fields between 1 mT and 10 mT. Chemical specificity is attained at mT magnetic fields with complex, highly resolved spectra. Most spectra are in the strong coupling regime where J-couplings are on the order of chemical shift differences. The spectra and the hyperpolarization spin dynamics are simulated with SPINACH. The simulations start from the parahydrogen singlet in the bound complex and include both chemical exchange and spin evolution at these mT fields. The simulations qualitatively match the experimental spectra and are used to identify the spin order terms formed during mT SABRE. The combination of low field NMR instruments with SABRE polarization results in sensitive measurements, even for rare spins with low gyromagnetic ratios at low magnetic fields.

From LASER physics to the para-hydrogen pumped RASER

The properties of the LASER with respect to self-organization are compared with the key features of the p-H₂ pumped RASER. According to LASER theory the equations of motion for the LASER can be derived from the enslaving principle, i.e. the slowest-changing order parameter (the light field in the resonator) enslaves the rapidly relaxing atomic degrees of freedom. Likewise, it is shown here that the equations of motion for the p-H₂ pumped RASER result from a set of order parameters, where the transverse magnetization of the RASER-active spin states enslaves the electromagnetic modes. The consequences are striking for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, since long-lasting multi-mode RASER oscillations enable unprecedented spectroscopic resolution down to the micro-Hertz regime. Based on the theory for multi-mode RASER operation we analyze the conditions that reveal either the collapse of the entire NMR spectrum, the occurrence of self-organized frequency-combs, or RASER spectra which reflect the J-coupled network of the molecule. Certain RASER experiments involving the protons of ¹⁵N pyridine or 3-picoline molecules pumped with p-H₂ via SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange) show either a single RASER oscillation in the time domain, giant RASER pulses or a complex RASER beat pattern. The corresponding ¹H spectra consist of one narrow line, equidistant narrow lines (frequency-comb), or highly resolved lines reporting NMR properties, respectively. Numerous applications in the areas of material sciences, fundamental physics and medicine involving high precision sensors for magnetic fields, rotational motions or molecular structures become feasible.

Parahydrogen-Based Hyperpolarization for Biomedicine

Magnetic resonance (MR) is one of the most versatile and useful physical effects used for human imaging, chemical analysis, and the elucidation of molecular structures. However, its full potential is rarely used, because only a small fraction of the nuclear spin ensemble is polarized, that is, aligned with the applied static magnetic field. Hyperpolarization methods seek other means to increase the polarization and thus the MR signal. A unique source of pure spin order is the entangled singlet spin state of dihydrogen, parahydrogen (pH2 ), which is inherently stable and long-lived. When brought into contact with another molecule, this "spin order on demand" allows the MR signal to be enhanced by several orders of magnitude. Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in the area of pH2 -based hyperpolarization techniques for biomedical applications. It is the goal of this Review to provide a selective overview of these developments, covering the areas of spin physics, catalysis, instrumentation, preparation of the contrast agents, and applications.

SQUID-based detection of ultra-low-field multinuclear NMR of substances hyperpolarized using signal amplification by reversible exchange

Ultra-low-field (ULF) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a promising spectroscopy method allowing for, e.g., the simultaneous detection of multiple nuclei. To overcome the low signal-to-noise ratio that usually hampers a wider application, we present here an alternative approach to ULF NMR, which makes use of the hyperpolarizing technique signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE). In contrast to standard parahydrogen hyperpolarization, SABRE can continuously hyperpolarize 1 H as well as other MR-active nuclei. For simultaneous measurements of 1 H and 19 F under SABRE conditions a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-based NMR detection unit was adapted. We successfully hyperpolarized fluorinated pyridine derivatives with an up to 2000-fold signal enhancement in 19 F. The detected signals may be explained by two alternative reaction mechanisms. SABRE combined with simultaneous SQUID-based broadband multinuclear detection may enable the quantitative analysis of multinuclear processes.

Perspectives on hyperpolarised solution-state magnetic resonance in chemistry

This perspective article reviews some of the recent developments in the field of hyperpolarisation, with a focus on solution-state NMR spectroscopy of small molecules. Two techniques are considered in more detail, dissolution dynamic nuclear polarisation (D-DNP) and signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE). Some of the opportunities and challenges for applications of hyperpolarised solution-state magnetic resonance in chemistry are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

NMR SLIC Sensing of Hydrogenation Reactions Using Parahydrogen in Low Magnetic Fields

Parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) is an NMR hyperpolarization technique that increases nuclear spin polarization by orders of magnitude, and it is particularly well-suited to study hydrogenation reactions. However, the use of high-field NMR spectroscopy is not always possible, especially in the context of potential industrial-scale reactor applications. On the other hand, the direct low-field NMR detection of reaction products with enhanced nuclear spin polarization is challenging due to near complete signal cancellation from nascent parahydrogen protons. We show that hydrogenation products prepared by PHIP can be irradiated with weak (on the order of spin-spin couplings of a few hertz) alternating magnetic field (called Spin-Lock Induced Crossing or SLIC) and consequently efficiently detected at low magnetic field (e.g., 0.05 T used here) using examples of several types of organic molecules containing a vinyl moiety. The detected hyperpolarized signals from several reaction products at tens of millimolar concentrations were enhanced by 10000-fold, producing NMR signals an order of magnitude greater than the background signal from protonated solvents.

Developments and advances concerning the hyperpolarisation technique SABRE

To overcome the inherent sensitivity issue in NMR and MRI, hyperpolarisation techniques are used. Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) is a hyperpolarisation technique that utilises parahydrogen, a molecule that possesses a nuclear singlet state, as the source of polarisation. A metal complex is required to break the singlet order of parahydrogen and, by doing so, facilitates polarisation transfer to analyte molecules ligated to the same complex through the J-coupled network that exists. The increased signal intensities that the analyte molecules possess as a result of this process have led to investigations whereby their potential as MRI contrast agents has been probed and to understand the fundamental processes underpinning the polarisation transfer mechanism. As well as discussing literature relevant to both of these areas, the chemical structure of the complex, the physical constraints of the polarisation transfer process and the successes of implementing SABRE at low and high magnetic fields are discussed.

Strategies for the hyperpolarization of acetonitrile and related ligands by SABRE

We report on a strategy for using SABRE (signal amplification by reversible exchange) for polarizing (1)H and (13)C nuclei of weakly interacting ligands which possess biologically relevant and nonaromatic motifs. We first demonstrate this via the polarization of acetonitrile, using Ir(IMes)(COD)Cl as the catalyst precursor, and confirm that the route to hyperpolarization transfer is via the J-coupling network. We extend this work to the polarization of propionitrile, benzylnitrile, benzonitrile, and trans-3-hexenedinitrile in order to assess its generality. In the (1)H NMR spectrum, the signal for acetonitrile is enhanced 8-fold over its thermal counterpart when [Ir(H)2(IMes)(MeCN)3](+) is the catalyst. Upon addition of pyridine or pyridine-d5, the active catalyst changes to [Ir(H)2(IMes)(py)2(MeCN)](+) and the resulting acetonitrile (1)H signal enhancement increases to 20- and 60-fold, respectively. In (13)C NMR studies, polarization transfers optimally to the quaternary (13)C nucleus of MeCN while the methyl (13)C is hardly polarized. Transfer to (13)C is shown to occur first via the (1)H-(1)H coupling between the hydrides and the methyl protons and then via either the (2)J or (1)J couplings to the respective (13)Cs, of which the (2)J route is more efficient. These experimental results are rationalized through a theoretical treatment which shows excellent agreement with experiment. In the case of MeCN, longitudinal two-spin orders between pairs of (1)H nuclei in the three-spin methyl group are created. Two-spin order states, between the (1)H and (13)C nuclei, are also created, and their existence is confirmed for Me(13)CN in both the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra using the Only Parahydrogen Spectroscopy protocol.

LIGHT-SABRE enables efficient in-magnet catalytic hyperpolarization

Nuclear spin hyperpolarization overcomes the sensitivity limitations of traditional NMR and MRI, but the most general method demonstrated to date (dynamic nuclear polarization) has significant limitations in scalability, cost, and complex apparatus design. As an alternative, signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) of parahydrogen on transition metal catalysts can hyperpolarize a variety of substrates, but to date this scheme has required transfer of the sample to low magnetic field or very strong RF irradiation. Here we demonstrate "Low-Irradiation Generation of High Tesla-SABRE" (LIGHT-SABRE) which works with simple pulse sequences and low power deposition; it should be usable at any magnetic field and for hyperpolarization of many different nuclei. This approach could drastically reduce the cost and complexity of producing hyperpolarized molecules.

Achieving 1% NMR polarization in water in less than 1min using SABRE

The development of biocompatible hyperpolarized media is a crucial step towards application of hyperpolarization in vivo. This article describes the achievement of 1% hyperpolarization of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazine protons in water using the parahydrogen induced polarization technique based on signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE). Polarization was achieved in less than 1 min.

Heterogeneous solution NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange

A novel variant of an iridium-based organometallic catalyst was synthesized and used to enhance the NMR signals of pyridine in a heterogeneous phase by immobilization on polymer microbead solid supports. Upon administration of parahydrogen (pH2) gas to a methanol mixture containing the HET-SABRE catalyst particles and the pyridine, up to fivefold enhancements were observed in the (1)H NMR spectra after sample transfer to high field (9.4 T). Importantly, enhancements were not due to any residual catalyst molecules in solution, thus supporting the true heterogeneity of the SABRE process. Further significant improvements may be expected by systematic optimization of experimental parameters. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalyst is easy to separate and recycle, thus opening a door to future potential applications varying from spectroscopic studies of catalysis, to imaging metabolites in the body without concern of contamination from expensive and potentially toxic metal catalysts or accompanying organic molecules.

The feasibility of formation and kinetics of NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) at high magnetic field (9.4 T)

(1)H NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) was observed for pyridine and pyridine-d5 at 9.4 T, a field that is orders of magnitude higher than what is typically utilized to achieve the conventional low-field SABRE effect. In addition to emissive peaks for the hydrogen spins at the ortho positions of the pyridine substrate (both free and bound to the metal center), absorptive signals are observed from hyperpolarized orthohydrogen and Ir-complex dihydride. Real-time kinetics studies show that the polarization build-up rates for these three species are in close agreement with their respective (1)H T1 relaxation rates at 9.4 T. The results suggest that the mechanism of the substrate polarization involves cross-relaxation with hyperpolarized species in a manner similar to the spin-polarization induced nuclear Overhauser effect. Experiments utilizing pyridine-d5 as the substrate exhibited larger enhancements as well as partial H/D exchange for the hydrogen atom in the ortho position of pyridine and concomitant formation of HD molecules. While the mechanism of polarization enhancement does not explicitly require chemical exchange of hydrogen atoms of parahydrogen and the substrate, the partial chemical modification of the substrate via hydrogen exchange means that SABRE under these conditions cannot rigorously be referred to as a non-hydrogenative parahydrogen induced polarization process.

Ligand effects of NHC-iridium catalysts for signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE)

SABRE hyperpolarizes substrates by polarization transfer from para-hydrogen in a metal complex. We have measured the signal enhancement of pyridine and its exchange rate in various [Ir(NHC)(Py)3(H)2](+) complexes to gain insight into their dependence on the N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) ligand's steric and electronic properties.

Toward nanomolar detection by NMR through SABRE hyperpolarization

SABRE is a nuclear spin hyperpolarization technique based on the reversible association of a substrate molecule and para-hydrogen (p-H2) to a metal complex. During the lifetime of such a complex, generally fractions of a second, the spin order of p-H2 is transferred to the nuclear spins of the substrate molecule via a transient scalar coupling network, resulting in strongly enhanced NMR signals. This technique is generally applied at relatively high concentrations (mM), in large excess of substrate with respect to metal complex. Dilution of substrate ligands below stoichiometry results in progressive decrease of signal enhancement, which precludes the direct application of SABRE to the NMR analysis of low concentration (μM) solutions. Here, we show that the efficiency of SABRE at low substrate concentrations can be restored by addition of a suitable coordinating ligand to the solution. The proposed method allowed NMR detection below 1 μM in a single scan.

Hyperpolarisation through reversible interactions with parahydrogen

Ir(COD)(NHC)Cl complexes provide significant insight into the catalytic processes underpinning SABRE hyperpolarization.

Iridium(III) hydrido N-heterocyclic carbene-phosphine complexes as catalysts in magnetization transfer reactions

The hyperpolarization (HP) method signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) uses para-hydrogen to sensitize substrate detection by NMR. The catalyst systems [Ir(H)2(IMes)(MeCN)2(R)]BF4 and [Ir(H)2(IMes)(py)2(R)]BF4 [py = pyridine; R = PCy3 or PPh3; IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], which contain both an electron-donating N-heterocyclic carbene and a phosphine, are used here to catalyze SABRE. They react with acetonitrile and pyridine to produce [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4 and [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PCy3)]BF4, complexes that undergo ligand exchange on a time scale commensurate with observation of the SABRE effect, which is illustrated here by the observation of both pyridine and acetonitrile HP. In this study, the required symmetry breaking that underpins SABRE is provided for by the use of chemical inequivalence rather than the previously reported magnetic inequivalence. As a consequence, we show that the ligand sphere of the polarization transfer catalyst itself becomes hyperpolarized and hence that the high-sensitivity detection of a number of reaction intermediates is possible. These species include [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4, [Ir(H)2(MeOH)(py)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4, and [Ir(H)2(NCMe)(py)2(PPh3)]BF4. Studies are also described that employ the deuterium-labeled substrates CD3CN and C5D5N, and the labeled ligands P(C6D5)3 and IMes-d22, to demonstrate that dramatically improved levels of HP can be achieved as a consequence of reducing proton dilution and hence polarization wastage. By a combination of these studies with experiments in which the magnetic field experienced by the sample at the point of polarization transfer is varied, confirmation of the resonance assignments is achieved. Furthermore, when [Ir(H)2(pyridine-h5)(pyridine-d5)(IMes)(PPh3)]BF4 is examined, its hydride ligand signals are shown to become visible through para-hydrogen-induced polarization rather than SABRE.

Optimization of SABRE for polarization of the tuberculosis drugs pyrazinamide and isoniazid

Hyperpolarization produces nuclear spin polarization that is several orders of magnitude larger than that achieved at thermal equilibrium thus providing extraordinary contrast and sensitivity. As a parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) technique that does not require chemical modification of the substrate to polarize, Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) has attracted a lot of attention. Using a prototype parahydrogen polarizer, we polarize two drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis, namely pyrazinamide and isoniazid. We examine this approach in four solvents, methanol-d4, methanol, ethanol and DMSO and optimize the polarization transfer magnetic field strength, the temperature as well as intensity and duration of hydrogen bubbling to achieve the best overall signal enhancement and hence hyperpolarization level.

Para-hydrogen perspectives in hyperpolarized NMR

The first instance of para-hydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) in an NMR experiment was serendipitously observed in the 1980s while investigating a hydrogenation reaction (Seldler et al., 1983; Bowers and Weitekamp, 1986, 1987; Eisenschmid et al., 1987) [1-4]. Remarkably a theoretical investigation of the applicability of para-hydrogen as a hyperpolarization agent was being performed in the 1980's thereby quickly providing a theoretical basis for the PHIP-effect (Bowers and Weitekamp, 1986) [2]. The discovery of signal amplification by a non-hydrogenating interaction with para-hydrogen has recently extended the interest to exploit the PHIP effect, as it enables investigation of compounds without structural alteration while retaining the advantages of spectroscopy with hyperpolarized compounds [5]. In this article we will place more emphasis of the future applications of the method while only briefly discussing the efforts that have been made in the understanding of the phenomenon and the development of the method so far.

Nuclear spin isomers of guest molecules in H₂@C₆₀, H₂O@C₆₀ and other endofullerenes

Spectroscopic studies of recently synthesized endofullerenes, in which H₂, H₂O and other atoms and small molecules are trapped in cages of carbon atoms, have shown that although the trapped molecules interact relatively weakly with the internal environment they are nevertheless susceptible to appropriately applied external perturbations. These properties have been exploited to isolate and study samples of H₂ in C₆₀ and other fullerenes that are highly enriched in the para spin isomer. Several strategies for spin-isomer enrichment, potential extensions to other endofullerenes and possible applications of these materials are discussed.

Parahydrogen Induced Polarization in Scalar Coupled Systems: Analytical Solutions for Spectral Patterns and their Field Dependence

We have obtained analytical solutions for Para-Hydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) for several types of coupled spin systems, namely, for AB-, ABX-, AA´A´´- and A2B-systems. Scalar spin-spin interactions were considered the factor, that determines the PHIP spectral pattern; it is the variation of the spin coupling regime (from strong coupling at low field to weak coupling at high field), which is responsible for the PHIP magnetic field dependence. The field dependence of polarization was considered in detail, general peculiarities of PHIP were found, PHIP patterns were calculated for the systems mentioned. Special attention was paid to the effects of field switching on PHIP.

Application of parahydrogen induced polarization techniques in NMR spectroscopy and imaging

Magnetic resonance provides a versatile platform that allows scientists to examine many different types of phenomena. However, the sensitivity of both NMR spectroscopy and MRI is low because the detected signal strength depends on the population difference that exists between the probed nuclear spin states in a magnetic field. This population difference increases with the strength of the interacting magnetic field and decreases with measurement temperature. In contrast, hyperpolarization methods that chemically introduce parahydrogen (a spin isomer of hydrogen with antiparallel spins that form a singlet) based on the traditional parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) approach tackle this sensitivity problem with dramatic results. In recent years, the potential of this method for MRI has been recognized, and its impact on medical diagnosis is starting to be realized. In this Account, we describe the use of parahydrogen to hyperpolarize a suitable substrate. This process normally involves the introduction of a molecule of parahydrogen into a target to create large population differences between nuclear spin states. The reaction of parahydrogen breaks the original magnetic symmetry and overcomes the selection rules that prevent both NMR observation and parahydrogen/orthohydrogen interconversion, yielding access to the normally invisible hyperpolarization associated with parahydrogen. Therefore the NMR or MRI measurement delivers a marked increase in the detected signal strength over the normal Boltzmann-population derived result. Consequently, measurements can be made which would otherwise be impossible. This approach was pioneered by Weitekamp, Bargon, and Eisenberg, in the late 1980s. Since 1993, we have used this technique in York to study reaction mechanisms and to characterize normally invisible inorganic species. We also describe signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE), an alternative route to sensitize molecules without directly incorporating a molecule of parahydrogen. This approach widens the applicability of PHIP methods and the range of materials that can be hyperpolarized. In this Account we describe our parahydrogen studies in York over the last 20 years and place them in a wider context. We describe the characterization of organometallic reaction intermediates including those involved in catalytic reactions, either with or without hydride ligands. The collection of spectroscopic and kinetic data with rapid inverse detection methods has proved to be particularly informative. We can see enhanced signals for the organic products of catalytic reactions that are linked directly to the catalytic intermediates that form them. This method can therefore prove unequivocally that a specific metal complex is involved in a catalytic cycle, thus pinpointing the true route to catalysis. Studies where a pure nuclear spin state is detected show that it is possible to detect all of the analyte molecules present in a sample using NMR. In addition, we describe methods that achieve the selective detection of these enhanced signals, when set against a strong NMR background such as that of water.

Similarity of SABRE field dependence in chemically different substrates

The Non-Hydrogenative Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization (NH-PHIP) technique, which is referred to as Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE), has been reported to be applicable to various substrates and catalysts. For more detailed studies, pyridine was mainly examined in the past. Here, we examined several pyrazole derivatives towards their amenability to this method using Crabtree's Catalyst, which is the polarization transfer catalyst that is best documented. Additionally, the dependence of the signal enhancement on the field strength, at which the polarization step takes place, was examined for pyridine and four different pyrazoles. To achieve this, the polarization step was performed at numerous previously determined magnetic fields in the stray field of the NMR spectrometer. The substrate dependence of the field dependence proved to be relatively small for the different pyrazoles and a strong correlation to the field dependence for pyridine was observed. Reducing the number of spins in the catalyst by deuteration leads to increased enhancement. This indicates that more work has to be invested in order to be able to reproduce the SABRE field dependence by simulations.

Selective drug trace detection with low-field NMR

Advances with para-hydrogen induced polarization open up new fields of applications for portable low-field NMR. Here we report the possibility of tracing drugs down to the micromolar regime. We could selectively polarize nicotine quantities similar to those found in one cigarette. Also less than 1 mg of harmine, a drug used for treatment of Parkinson's disease, and morphine extracted from an opium solution were detectable after polarization with para-hydrogen in single-scan (1)H-experiments. Moreover, we demonstrate the possibility to selectively enhance and detect the (1)H-signal of drug molecules with PHIP in proton rich standard solutions that would otherwise mask the (1)H NMR signal of the drug.

Iridium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as efficient catalysts for magnetization transfer from para-hydrogen

While the characterization of materials by NMR is hugely important in the physical and biological sciences, it also plays a vital role in medical imaging. This success is all the more impressive because of the inherently low sensitivity of the method. We establish here that [Ir(H)₂(IMes)(py)₃]Cl undergoes both pyridine (py) loss as well as the reductive elimination of H₂. These reversible processes bring para-H₂ and py into contact in a magnetically coupled environment, delivering an 8100-fold increase in ¹H NMR signal strength relative to non-hyperpolarized py at 3 T. An apparatus that facilitates signal averaging has been built to demonstrate that the efficiency of this process is controlled by the strength of the magnetic field experienced by the complex during the magnetization transfer step. Thermodynamic and kinetic data combined with DFT calculations reveal the involvement of [Ir(H)₂(η²-H₂)(IMes)(py)₂]⁺, an unlikely yet key intermediate in the reaction. Deuterium labeling yields an additional 60% improvement in signal, an observation that offers insight into strategies for optimizing this approach.