High‐Contrast and Fast‐Removable ¹⁹F‐MRI Labels with Perfluoro‐tert‐Butyl Substituents

Abstract

Abstract19F MRI is a unique technique for tracking and quantifying the indicator (19F‐MRI label) in vivo without the use of ionizing radiation. Here we report new 19F‐MRI labels, which are compounds with perfluoro‐tert‐butyl groups: 1,2‐bis(perfluoro‐tert‐butoxy)ethane (C10F18H4O2) and 1,3‐bis(perfluoro‐tert‐butyl)propane (C11F18H6). Both substances contain 18 equivalent 19F atoms, constituting 68.67 % and 71.25 % of the molecule, respectively. The emulsions with 19F molecules were prepared and used in 19F MRI studies in laboratory rats in vivo. The substances demonstrated high contrast properties, good biological inertness and the ability to be rapidly eliminated from the body. We showed that at a dose of 0.34 mg/g of body weight in rats, the time for complete elimination of C10F18H4O2 and C11F18H6 is ∼30 days. The results turned out to be promising for the use of the presented compounds in 19F MRI applications, especially since they are quite easy to synthesize.