Mechanistic studies of Gd$^{3+}$-based MRI contrast agents for Zn$^{2+}$ detection: towards rational design
Résumé
A series of novel pyridine-based Gd$^{3+}$ complexes have been prepared and studied as potential MRI contrast agents for Zn$^{2+}$ detection. By independent assessment of molecular parameters affecting relaxivity, we could interpret the relaxivity changes observed upon Zn$^{2+}$ binding in terms of variations of the rotational motion.