Asymmetrically Coordinated Dual‐Atom Manganese Contrast Agents Enabling High‐Efficiency T1 Enhanced MRI for Precise Tumor Visualization

ABSTRACT Achieving atomically precise control over paramagnetic coordination environments is challenging because relaxivity's sixth power dependence on metal water distance demands sub‐angstrom precision while also requiring rapid water exchange, two inherently competing requirements in conventional systems. Here, leveraging dual‐atom coordination engineering as a rational material design strategy, we successfully synthesized a novel dual‐atom manganese‐based platform featuring a well‐defined asymmetric Mn 2 ‐N 3 O 3 geometry anchored on hierarchical boron nitride (Mn‐BN). Notably, this atomic‐level engineering achieves T1 relaxivity of 36.27 mM −1 s −1 at 3.0 T and 15.86 mM −1 s −1 at 7.0 T, approximately 10‐fold higher than those of clinical agents. Combining advanced characterizations with theoretical calculations reveals that adjacent asymmetrically coordinated Mn centers generate cooperative electronic effects that lower water adsorption energy and shorten the Mn–H distance, thereby enhancing water exchange and optimizing dipole–dipole interactions. The Mn‐BN exhibits specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 signals for accurate tumor boundary visualization, meanwhile preferential hepatocyte uptake through specific transporters creates differential enhancement for sensitive liver metastases detection. This work positions dual‐atom coordination engineering as an effective materials design strategy for precise enhancement of MRI properties, providing new opportunities for developing advanced contrast agents with tailored biological interactions and extended imaging windows.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-05-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.75644
Primary Topic
Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Asymmetrically Coordinated Dual‐Atom Manganese Contrast Agents Enabling High‐Efficiency T1 Enhanced MRI for Precise Tumor Visualization

Jianli Liang, G H Li, Yafang Xiao, Zechuan Li et al.
Advanced Science
Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Applications
article

Asymmetrically Coordinated Dual‐Atom Manganese Contrast Agents Enabling High‐Efficiency T1 Enhanced MRI for Precise Tumor Visualization

Jianli Liang, G H Li, Yafang Xiao, Zechuan Li, Nan Sun, Qianqian Song, Ding Yang, Sun Y, Haitao Zhu, Xiaoting Li, Jiankai Dong, Qing‐Yang Li, Chun‐Sing Lee, Weisheng Guo
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving atomically precise control over paramagnetic coordination environments is challenging because relaxivity's sixth power dependence on metal water distance demands sub‐angstrom precision while also requiring rapid water exchange, two inherently competing requirements in conventional systems. Here, leveraging dual‐atom coordination engineering as a rational material design strategy, we successfully synthesized a novel dual‐atom manganese‐based platform featuring a well‐defined asymmetric Mn 2 ‐N 3 O 3 geometry anchored on hierarchical boron nitride (Mn‐BN). Notably, this atomic‐level engineering achieves T1 relaxivity of 36.27 mM −1 s −1 at 3.0 T and 15.86 mM −1 s −1 at 7.0 T, approximately 10‐fold higher than those of clinical agents. Combining advanced characterizations with theoretical calculations reveals that adjacent asymmetrically coordinated Mn centers generate cooperative electronic effects that lower water adsorption energy and shorten the Mn–H distance, thereby enhancing water exchange and optimizing dipole–dipole interactions. The Mn‐BN exhibits specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 signals for accurate tumor boundary visualization, meanwhile preferential hepatocyte uptake through specific transporters creates differential enhancement for sensitive liver metastases detection. This work positions dual‐atom coordination engineering as an effective materials design strategy for precise enhancement of MRI properties, providing new opportunities for developing advanced contrast agents with tailored biological interactions and extended imaging windows.

Advanced Science
Tianjin Normal University (CN), City University of Hong Kong (HK), Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (CN), Ministry of Education (ET), Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis and Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.