Study of Xenon Binding in Cryptophane-A Using Laser-Induced NMR Polarization Enhancement

Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (HyperCEST) Molecular Imaging: Achievements and Future Challenges

Molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging field that is set to revolutionize our perspective of disease diagnosis, treatment efficacy monitoring, and precision medicine in full concordance with personalized medicine. A wide range of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe biosensors have been recently developed, demonstrating their potential applications in molecular settings, and achieving notable success within in vitro studies. The favorable nuclear magnetic resonance properties of 129Xe, coupled with its non-toxic nature, high solubility in biological tissues, and capacity to dissolve in blood and diffuse across membranes, highlight its superior role for applications in molecular MRI settings. The incorporation of reporters that combine signal enhancement from both hyperpolarized 129Xe and chemical exchange saturation transfer holds the potential to address the primary limitation of low sensitivity observed in conventional MRI. This review provides a summary of the various applications of HP 129Xe biosensors developed over the last decade, specifically highlighting their use in MRI. Moreover, this paper addresses the evolution of in vivo applications of HP 129Xe, discussing its potential transition into clinical settings.

Background-Free Detection of Spin-Exchange Dynamics at Ultra-Low Magnetic Field

Ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and imaging (MRI) inherently suffer from a low signal-to-noise ratio due to the small thermal polarization of nuclear spins. Transfer of polarization from a pre-polarized spin system to a thermally polarized spin system via the Spin Polarization Induced Nuclear Overhauser Effect (SPINOE) could potentially be used to overcome this limitation. SPINOE is particularly advantageous at ultra-low magnetic field, where the transferred polarization can be several orders of magnitude higher than thermal polarization. Here we demonstrate direct detection of polarization transfer from highly polarized 129 Xe gas spins to 1 H spins in solution via SPINOE. At ultra-low field, where thermal nuclear spin polarization is close to background noise levels and where different nuclei can be simultaneously detected in a single spectrum, the dynamics of the polarization transfer can be observed in real time. We show that by simply bubbling hyperpolarized 129 Xe into solution, we can enhance 1 H polarization levels by a factor of up to 151-fold. While our protocol leads to lower enhancements than those previously reported under extreme Xe gas pressures, the methodology is easily repeatable and allows for on-demand enhanced spectroscopy. SPINOE at ultra-low magnetic field could also be employed to study 129 Xe interactions in solutions.

Xenon Induces Its Own Preferred Heterochiral Host from Exclusive Homochiral Assembly

Xenon binding represents a formidable challenge, and efficient hosts remain rare. Here we report our findings that while enantiomeric bis(urea)-bis(thiourea) macrocycles form exclusive homochiral dimeric assemblies, xenon is able to overcome the narcissism and induces an otherwise-nonobservable heterochiral assembly as its preferred host. An experimental approach and fitting model were developed to obtain binding constants associated with the invisible assembly species. The determined xenon binding affinity with the heterochiral capsule reaches 1600 M^-1, which is 15 times higher than that with the homochiral capsule and represents the highest record for an assembled host. The origin of the large difference in xenon affinity between the two subtle diastereotopic assemblies was revealed by single-crystal analysis. In the heterochiral capsule with S₄ symmetry, the xenon atom is more tightly enclosed by van der Waals surroundings of the four thiourea groups arranged in a spherical cross-array, superior to the antiparallel array in the homochiral capsule with D₂ symmetry.

Enzyme assays with supramolecular chemosensors - the label-free approach

Enzyme activity measurements are essential for many research areas, e.g., for the identification of inhibitors in drug discovery, in bioengineering of enzyme mutants for biotechnological applications, or in bioanalytical chemistry as parts of biosensors. In particular in high-throughput screening (HTS), sensitive optical detection is most preferred and numerous absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy-based enzyme assays have been developed, which most frequently require time-consuming fluorescent labelling that may interfere with biological recognition. The use of supramolecular chemosensors, which can specifically signal analytes with fluorescence-based read-out methods, affords an attractive and label-free alternative to more established enzyme assays. We provide herein a comprehensive review that summarizes the current state-of-the-art of supramolecular enzyme assays ranging from early examples with covalent chemosensors to the most recent applications of supramolecular tandem enzyme assays, which utilize common and often commercially available combinations of macrocyclic host molecules (e.g. cyclodextrins, calixarenes, and cucurbiturils) and fluorescent dyes as self-assembled reporter pairs for assaying enzyme activity.

Enantiopure cryptophane derivatives: Synthesis and chiroptical properties

This review addresses the synthesis of enantiopure cryptophane and the study of their chiroptical properties. Cryptophane derivatives represent an important class of macrocyclic compounds that can bind a large range of species in solution under different conditions. The overwhelming majority of these host molecules is chiral, and their chiroptical properties have been thoroughly investigated. The first part of this review is dedicated to the optical resolution and the synthesis of enantiopure cryptophane derivatives. In a second part, the study of the chiroptical properties of these molecular hosts by different techniques such as electronic and vibrational circular dichroism and Raman optical activity is detailed. These techniques allow the determination of the absolute configuration of cryptophane derivatives and provide useful information about their conformation in different conditions.

Xenon binding by a tight yet adaptive chiral soft capsule

Xenon binding has attracted interest due to the potential for xenon separation and emerging applications in magnetic resonance imaging. Compared to their covalent counterparts, assembled hosts that are able to effectively bind xenon are rare. Here, we report a tight yet soft chiral macrocycle dimeric capsule for efficient and adaptive xenon binding in both crystal form and solution. The chiral bisurea-bisthiourea macrocycle can be easily synthesized in multi-gram scale. Through assembly, the flexible macrocycles are locked in a bowl-shaped conformation and buckled to each other, wrapping up a tight, completely sealed yet adjustable cavity suitable for xenon, with a very high affinity for an assembled host. A slow-exchange process and drastic spectral changes are observed in both ¹H and ¹²⁹Xe NMR. With the easy synthesis, modification and reversible characteristics, we believe the robust yet adaptive assembly system may find applications in xenon sequestration and magnetic resonance imaging-based biosensing.

Molecular Sensing with Host Systems for Hyperpolarized 129Xe

Hyperpolarized noble gases have been used early on in applications for sensitivity enhanced NMR. 129Xe has been explored for various applications because it can be used beyond the gas-driven examination of void spaces. Its solubility in aqueous solutions and its affinity for hydrophobic binding pockets allows "functionalization" through combination with host structures that bind one or multiple gas atoms. Moreover, the transient nature of gas binding in such hosts allows the combination with another signal enhancement technique, namely chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). Different systems have been investigated for implementing various types of so-called Xe biosensors where the gas binds to a targeted host to address molecular markers or to sense biophysical parameters. This review summarizes developments in biosensor design and synthesis for achieving molecular sensing with NMR at unprecedented sensitivity. Aspects regarding Xe exchange kinetics and chemical engineering of various classes of hosts for an efficient build-up of the CEST effect will also be discussed as well as the cavity design of host molecules to identify a pool of bound Xe. The concept is presented in the broader context of reporter design with insights from other modalities that are helpful for advancing the field of Xe biosensors.

Ab initio relativistic potential energy surfaces of benzene-Xe complex with application to intermolecular vibrations

The benzene-Xe (BXe) complex in its electronic ground state is studied using ab initio methods. Since this complex contains the heavy Xe atom, the relativistic effects cannot be neglected. We test two different approaches that describe the scalar relativistic effects in the framework of the coupled-cluster level of theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations, used for the interaction energy calculations. The first one is based on the small core pseudopotential (PP), and the second one is based on the explicit treatment of scalar relativistic effects using the Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) Hamiltonian. A few basis sets are tested with the PP and DKH, and for each one, the analytical potential energy surface (PES) is constructed. It is shown that the difference between PESs determined with PP and DKH methods is small, if the orbitals of the 4d subshell in Xe are correlated. We select the most appropriate approach for the calculation of the potential energy surface of BXe, with respect to accuracy and computational cost. The optimal level of theory includes a small Dunning's basis set for the benzene monomer and a larger PP basis set for Xe supplemented by midbond functions. The PES obtained using such an approach provides a reasonable accuracy when compared to the empirical one derived from the microwave spectra of BXe. The empirical and the theoretical values of intermolecular vibrational energies agree within 0.5 cm^-1 up to second overtones. The vibrational energy level pattern of BXe is characterized by a distinct polyad structure.

An intracellular diamine oxidase triggered hyperpolarized 129Xe magnetic resonance biosensor

Here, a novel method was developed for suppressing 129Xe signals in cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) until the trigger is activated by a specific enzyme. Due to its noncovalent interactions with amino-groups and CB6, putrescine dihydrochloride (Put) was chosen for blocking interactions between 129Xe and CB6. Upon adding diamine oxidase (DAO), Put was released from CB6 and a 129Xe@CB6 Hyper-CEST signal emerged. This proposed 129Xe biosensor was then tested in small intestinal villus epithelial cells.

Complete Generation of a 129Xe Biosensor on the Solid Support by Systematic Backbone Assembly

Xenon biosensors are an emerging tool for different molecular imaging approaches. For many applications, their development requires peptide synthesis steps, followed by the selective installation of a xenon host onto the peptide backbone in solution. In this study, three different strategies were attempted for generating entire Xe biosensors on the solid support. Notably, one strategy involving CryA-da was beneficial by directly integrating this host into the growing construct on a low loaded resin via modification of the administered subcomponent equivalents and by prolonging the coupling procedure. Subsequently, installation of additional amino acids or of additional labels onto the growing construct was achieved by a procedure in which an excess amine was administered to the activated CryA-da (acid) anchored onto the resin. Further, the as-generated Xe biosensor was tested for its NMR and MRI capabilities in H₂O and compared to the performance of CryA-ma. Xe NMR of the biosensor indicated a clear CEST response and the Xe MR images revealed similar contrast compared to the reference host. These observations suggest that functionalizing CryA-da on both sides with multiple labels did not alter significantly its NMR capabilities. Hereby, we could show the successful and complete synthesis of a CryA-da-based xenon biosensor on the solid support without any notable side reactions and without the necessity of multiple purification steps.

NMR Hyperpolarization Techniques of Gases

Nuclear spin polarization can be significantly increased through the process of hyperpolarization, leading to an increase in the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments by 4-8 orders of magnitude. Hyperpolarized gases, unlike liquids and solids, can often be readily separated and purified from the compounds used to mediate the hyperpolarization processes. These pure hyperpolarized gases enabled many novel MRI applications including the visualization of void spaces, imaging of lung function, and remote detection. Additionally, hyperpolarized gases can be dissolved in liquids and can be used as sensitive molecular probes and reporters. This Minireview covers the fundamentals of the preparation of hyperpolarized gases and focuses on selected applications of interest to biomedicine and materials science.

Potential 129Xe-NMR biosensors based on secondary and tertiary complexes of a water-soluble pillar[5]arene derivative

We report on the first secondary and tertiary complexes of the pillar[5]arene derivative with xenon in water. We show that the chemical shift of the encapsulated xenon provides information on the type of the formed complex suggesting that has the potential to be used as a platform for NMR biosensors.

Perspectives of hyperpolarized noble gas MRI beyond 3He

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) studies with hyperpolarized (hp) noble gases are at an exciting interface between physics, chemistry, materials science and biomedical sciences. This paper intends to provide a brief overview and outlook of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hp noble gases other than hp (3)He. A particular focus are the many intriguing experiments with (129)Xe, some of which have already matured to useful MRI protocols, while others display high potential for future MRI applications. Quite naturally for MRI applications the major usage so far has been for biomedical research but perspectives for engineering and materials science studies are also provided. In addition, the prospects for surface sensitive contrast with hp (83)Kr MRI is discussed.

Host-guest complexes between cryptophane-C and chloromethanes revisited

Cryptophane-C is composed of two nonequivalent cyclotribenzylene caps, one of which contains methoxy group substituents on the phenyl rings. The two caps are connected by three OCH(2)CH(2)O linkers in an anti arrangement. Host-guest complexes of cryptophane-C with dichloromethane and chloroform in solution were investigated in detail by nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Variable temperature proton and carbon-13 spectra show a variety of dynamic processes, such as guest exchange and host conformational transitions. The guest exchange was studied quantitatively by exchange spectroscopy measurements or by line-shape analysis. The conformational preferences of the guest-containing host were interpreted through cross-relaxation measurements, providing evidence of the gauche+2 and gauche-2 conformations of the linkers. In addition, the mobility of the chloroform guest inside the cavity was studied by carbon-13 relaxation experiments. Combining different types of evidence led to a detailed picture of molecular recognition, interpreted in terms of conformational selection.

Crystallographic observation of 'induced fit' in a cryptophane host-guest model system

Cryptophane-A, comprised of two cyclotriguaiacylenes joined by three ethylene linkers, is a prototypal organic host molecule that binds reversibly to neutral small molecules via London forces. Of note are trifunctionalized, water-soluble cryptophane-A derivatives, which exhibit exceptional affinity for xenon in aqueous solution. In this paper, we report high-resolution X-ray structures of cryptophane-A and trifunctionalized derivatives in crown–crown and crown–saddle conformations, as well as in complexes with water, methanol, xenon or chloroform. Cryptophane internal volume varied by more than 20% across this series, which exemplifies 'induced fit' in a model host–guest system.

Cryptophane-A is a prototypical organic host molecule that binds reversibly to neutral guest molecules. Taratula et al. report X-ray structures of cryptophane-A complexed with a range of host molecules to show that the cryptophane host–guest system exhibits ‘induced fit’.

Encapsulation of small gas molecules by cryptophane-111 in organic solution. 1. Size- and shape-selective complexation of simple hydrocarbons

The reversible trapping of small hydrocarbons and other gases by cryptophane-111 (1) in organic solution was characterized with variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Characteristic spectral changes observed upon guest binding allowed kinetic and thermodynamic data to be readily extracted, permitting quantification and comparison of different host-guest interactions. Previous work (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 10332) demonstrated that 1, the smallest cryptophane to date, forms a complex with xenon with remarkably high affinity. Presently, it is shown that 1 also exhibits slow exchange dynamics with methane at reduced temperatures (delta(bound) = -5.2 ppm) with an association constant K(a) = 148 M(-1) at 298 K. In contrast, ethane and ethylene are poorly recognized by 1 with K(a) values of only 2 M(-1) and 22 M(-1), respectively; moreover, chloromethane (whose molecular volume is similar to that of xenon, approximately 42 A(3)) is not observed to bind to 1. Separately, molecular hydrogen (H(2)) gas is observed to bind 1, but in contrast to other ligands presently studied, H(2) complexation is spectrally manifested by fast exchange throughout virtually the entire range of available conditions, as well as by a complex dependence of the guest (1)H resonance frequency upon temperature and host concentration. Taken together, these results establish 1 as a selective host for small gases, with implications for the design of size- and geometry-selective sensors targeted for various gas molecules.

Functionalized 129Xe contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

The concept of 'xenon biosensor' for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was first proposed by a Berkeley team in 2001, with evidence that hyperpolarized 129Xe bound to a biotin-labeled cryptophane can detect streptavidin at much lower concentrations (nM-microM) than is typical for contrast-enhanced MRI experiments. 129Xe biosensors have undergone many recent developments to address challenges in molecular imaging. For example, cryptophanes that exhibit 10-fold higher xenon affinity with distinct 129Xe magnetic resonance spectra have been synthesized. Also relevant are dendrimeric cryptophane assemblies and inorganic zeolites that localize many 129Xe atoms to rare targets. Finally, this article considers biosensors that produce measurable changes in 129Xe chemical shift based upon the activity of oligonucleotides, proteins, or enzymes, and includes the first cell studies.

Conformational changes in cryptophane having C1-symmetry studied by vibrational circular dichroism

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to obtain the absolute configuration of a cryptophane molecule having C1-symmetry (labeled cryptophane-H). This molecule exhibits chiroptical properties different from those published for cryptophane-A having D3-symmetry [Brotin et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 5533-5540]. In particular, we have shown that the conformation of the aliphatic linkers is very dependent on the solvent used and its ability to enter (CDCl3 solution) or not (C2D2Cl4 solution) in the cryptophane cavity. Calculations performed at the DFT (B3PW91/6-31G*) level establish, besides the absolute configuration, the preferential anti and gauche conformations of the aliphatic linkers of the chloroform@cryptophane-H complex and the empty cryptophane-H molecule, respectively. Polarimetric measurements performed in several solvents reflect also the change of conformation of the bridges upon guest encapsulation.

Vibrational circular dichroism study of optically pure cryptophane-A

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to obtain the absolute configuration of optically pure cryptophane-A molecule. This large molecule (120 atoms) that possess a globular shape, but no chiral centers, exceeds the molecular size of published structures for which VCD has been used to determine the absolute configuration. VCD spectra recorded in CDCl(3) solution for the two resolved enantiomers are near mirror images, and very good agreement between the observed IR and VCD spectra and intensity calculations performed at the DFT (B3PW91/6-31G) level establish, besides the absolute configuration, the preferential anti conformation of the aliphatic linkers of the chloroform-cryptophane-A complex. Experiments performed in CD(2)Cl(2) and C(2)D(2)Cl(4) solutions show no significant modifications in the IR and VCD spectra, indicating that the conformation of the aliphatic linkers is similar for empty (C(2)D(2)Cl(4) solution) and encaged (CDCl(3) and CD(2)Cl(2) solutions) cryptophane-A molecules.

Diastereomeric Xe chemical shifts in tethered cryptophane cages

Cryptophane cages serve as host molecules to a Xe atom. Functionalization of cryptophane-A has permitted the development of Xe as a biosensor. Synthetic routes used to prepare cryptophanes result in racemic mixtures of the chiral cages. In the preparation of a tethered cryptophane-A cage for biosensor applications, some achiral and chiral substituents such as left-handed amino acids have been used. When the substituent is achiral, the NMR signal of the Xe atom in the functionalized cage in solution is a single isotropic peak, since the Xe shielding tensor components in the R and L cages differ by no more than the signs of the off-diagonal elements. Chiral substituents can split the cage-encapsulated Xe NMR signal into one or more sets of doublets, depending on the number of asymmetric centers in the substituent. We carry out quantum mechanical calculations of Xe nuclear magnetic shielding for the Xe atom at the same strategic position within an L cryptophane-A cage, under the influence of chiral potentials that represent r or l substituents outside the cage. Calculations of the Xe shielding response in the Lr and Ll diastereomeric pairs permit the prediction of the relative order of the Xe chemical shifts in solutions containing the Rl and Ll diastereomers. Where the substituent itself possesses two chiral centers, comparison of the calculated isotropic shielding responses in the Llr, Lrl, Rll, and Lrr systems, respectively, permits the prediction of the Xe spectrum of diastereomeric systems in solutions containing Llr, Rlr, Lll, and Rll systems. Assignment of the peaks observed in the experimental Xe NMR spectra is therefore possible, without having to undertake the difficult synthetic route that produces a single optically pure enantiomer.

Novel Method for the Measurement of Xenon Gas Solubility Using 129Xe NMR Spectroscopy

A novel method is presented for determining xenon partitioning between a gas phase and a liquid phase. An experimental setup which permits the simultaneous measurement of the 129Xe chemical shift in both the gas and the liquid phases, that is, under the same experimental conditions, has been designed. Xenon solubility is obtained via 129Xe chemical shift measurements in the gas phase. The method was validated against xenon solubility data from the literature; in general, the agreement is found to be within 3%. The solubility of xenon in three solvents for which data have not been previously reported (acetone, acetonitrile, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane) was determined using this novel method. 129Xe chemical shifts for dissolved xenon are also reported; it is found that xenon-xenon interactions may play a significant role in the liquid phase even at low equilibrium xenon pressures.

Water Soluble Cryptophanes Showing Unprecedented Affinity for Xenon: Candidates as NMR-Based Biosensors

Cryptophanes bearing OCH(2)COOH groups in place of the methoxy groups represent a new class of xenon-carrier molecules soluble in water at biological pH. By using (1)H and (129)Xe NMR (thermally- and laser-polarized dissolved gas), the structural and dynamical behaviors of these host molecules as well as their interaction with xenon are studied. They are shown to exist in aqueous solution under different conformations in very slow exchange. A saddle form present for one of these conformations could explain the (1)H NMR spectra. Whereas the cryptophanes in such a conformation are unable to complex xenon, unprecedented high binding constants are found for cryptophanes in the other canonical crown-crown conformation. These host molecules could therefore be valuable candidates for biosensing using (129)Xe MRI.

NMR studies of chloroform@cryptophane-A and chloroform@bis-cryptophane inclusion complexes oriented in thermotropic liquid crystals

Oriented inclusion complexes of chloroform@cryptophane-A and chloroform@bis-cryptophane were prepared using a nematic thermotropic liquid crystal (ZLI 1132), and the alignment and magnetic resonance properties of these host-guest systems were studied via (13)C NMR of the labeled guests. Large (1)H-(13)C dipolar splittings for (13)CHCl(3) guests indicated significantly enhanced (approximately 2-fold) ordering for the trapped vs. free ligands under all conditions studied, with similar ordering observed for the two complexes-despite significant differences in size and motional freedom between the hosts. For each environment, variable-temperature studies permitted the sign and magnitude of the order parameter for chloroform's C-H bond to be independently determined from the (13)C chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) shifts (via the gradient method) and the restored (1)H-(13)C dipolar couplings. In both systems, the results are consistent with overall alignment of the complexes such that the cage principal axis lies roughly perpendicular to the LC director.

Optimization of Xenon Biosensors for Detection of Protein Interactions

Hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy can detect the presence of specific low-concentration biomolecular analytes by means of a xenon biosensor that consists of a water-soluble, targeted cryptophane-A cage that encapsulates the xenon. In this work, we use the prototypical biotinylated xenon biosensor to determine the relationship between the molecular composition of the xenon biosensor and the characteristics of protein-bound resonances. The effects of diastereomer overlap, dipole-dipole coupling, chemical-shift anisotropy, xenon exchange, and biosensor conformational exchange on the protein-bound biosensor signal were assessed. It was found that an optimal protein-bound biosensor signal can be obtained by minimizing the number of biosensor diastereomers and using a flexible linker of appropriate length. Both the line width and sensitivity of chemical shift to protein binding of the xenon biosensor were found to be inversely proportional to linker length.

Dynamics of xenon binding inside the hydrophobic cavity of pseudo-wild-type bacteriophage T4 lysozyme explored through xenon-based NMR spectroscopy

Wild-type bacteriophage T4 lysozyme contains a hydrophobic cavity with binding properties that have been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography and NMR. In the present study, the monitoring of 1H chemical shift variations under xenon pressure enables the determination of the noble gas binding constant (K = 60.2 M(-1)). Although the interaction site is highly localized, dipolar cross-relaxation effects between laser-polarized xenon and nearby protons (SPINOE) are rather poor. This is explained by the high value of the xenon-proton dipolar correlation time (0.8 ns), much longer than the previously reported values for xenon in medium-size proteins. This indicates that xenon is highly localized within the protein cavity, as confirmed by the large chemical shift difference between free and bound xenon. The exploitation of the xenon line width variation vs xenon pressure and protein concentration allows the extraction of the exchange correlation time between free and bound xenon. Comparison to the exchange experienced by protein protons indicates that the exchange between the open and closed conformations of T4 lysozyme is not required for xenon binding.

NMR detection using laser-polarized xenon as a dipolar sensor

Hyperpolarized (129)Xe can be used as a sensor to indirectly detect NMR spectra of heteronuclei that are neither covalently bound nor necessarily in direct contact with the Xe atoms, but coupled through long-range intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions. To reintroduce long-range dipolar couplings the sample symmetry has to be broken. This can be done either by using an asymmetric sample arrangement, or by breaking the symmetry of the spin magnetization with field gradient pulses. Experiments are performed where only a small fraction of the available (129)Xe magnetization is used for each point, so that a single batch of xenon suffices for the point-by-point acquisition of a heteronuclear NMR spectrum. Examples with (1)H as the analyte nucleus show that these methods have the potential to obtain spectra with a resolution that is high enough to determine homonuclear J couplings. The applicability of this technique with remote detection is discussed.

Development of a Functionalized Xenon Biosensor

NMR-based biosensors that utilize laser-polarized xenon offer potential advantages beyond current sensing technologies. These advantages include the capacity to simultaneously detect multiple analytes, the applicability to in vivo spectroscopy and imaging, and the possibility of "remote" amplified detection. Here, we present a detailed NMR characterization of the binding of a biotin-derivatized caged-xenon sensor to avidin. Binding of "functionalized" xenon to avidin leads to a change in the chemical shift of the encapsulated xenon in addition to a broadening of the resonance, both of which serve as NMR markers of ligand-target interaction. A control experiment in which the biotin-binding site of avidin was blocked with native biotin showed no such spectral changes, confirming that only specific binding, rather than nonspecific contact, between avidin and functionalized xenon leads to the effects on the xenon NMR spectrum. The exchange rate of xenon (between solution and cage) and the xenon spin-lattice relaxation rate were not changed significantly upon binding. We describe two methods for enhancing the signal from functionalized xenon by exploiting the laser-polarized xenon magnetization reservoir. We also show that the xenon chemical shifts are distinct for xenon encapsulated in different diastereomeric cage molecules. This demonstrates the potential for tuning the encapsulated xenon chemical shift, which is a key requirement for being able to multiplex the biosensor.

Hyperpolarized xenon in NMR and MRI

Hyperpolarized gases have found a steadily increasing range of applications in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and NMR imaging (MRI). They can be regarded as a new class of MR contrast agent or as a way of greatly enhancing the temporal resolution of the measurement of processes relevant to areas as diverse as materials science and biomedicine. We concentrate on the properties and applications of hyperpolarized xenon. This review discusses the physics of producing hyperpolarization, the NMR-relevant properties of 129Xe, specific MRI methods for hyperpolarized gases, applications of xenon to biology and medicine, polarization transfer to other nuclear species and low-field imaging.

Kinetic and thermodynamic consequences of the substitution of SMe for OMe substituents of cryptophane hosts on the binding of neutral and cationic guests

To investigate the origin of the high selectivity of cryptophane-E (1) towards Me3NH+, Me4N+, and CHCl3, and particularly to discriminate the different contributions that stabilize the supramolecular complexes, we have synthesized the new cryptophane 2 bearing six MeS groups instead of MeO groups in 1. This led to a decrease of the negative charge density in the equatorial region of 2 without affecting notably the size of the molecular cavity. The binding properties of 1 and 2 towards the three guests were examined in solution and showed a slight decrease of the deltaGa favoring the complexes of 1, accompanied by a significant modification of the deltaHa vs. deltaSa balance. The binding of the ammonium guests to 1 and 2 was strongly entropy driven, while that of CHCl3 was purely enthalpy driven. A combination of spectroscopic and computational techniques was used to assign the main intermolecular interactions that occurred during the inclusion process. The neutral CHCl3 molecule is more stabilized in the less negatively charged CTV cap of 1. The different behavior towards the ammonium cations can be explained in term of interactions with the electronegative heteroatoms and cation-pi interactions. Moreover, this study revealed a considerable slowing down of the guest exchange kinetics with host 2, for which the association and dissociation rates are reduced by a factor 10(3) to 10(4) with respect to 1. For example, at room temperature, the Me4N+@2 complex exhibits a half-life of ca. 2 years, instead of a few hours for the corresponding complex of 1.