Rational design of hyperpolarized xenon NMR molecular sensor for the selective and sensitive determination of zinc ions

We developed a novel hyperpolarized 129Xe-based NMR molecular sensor for detection of Zn2+ ions. The 129Xe NMR spectroscopy of such molecular sensor was shifted up to 6.4 ppm in the presence of Zn2+ ions, which was nearly four times larger than that of the reported similar sensor. This zinc-activated HP 129Xe-based NMR molecular sensor suggests a great potential to be used in the monitoring of Zn2+ ions and investigating Zn2+ ions related physiopathological processes in biological organisms in the foreseeable future.