Manganese Complex of Ethylene­diamine­tetraacetic Acid (EDTA)–Benzothiazole Aniline (BTA) Conjugate as a Potential Liver-Targeting MRI Contrast Agent

A novel manganese­(II) complex based on an ethylene­diamine­tetraacetic acid (EDTA) coordination cage bearing a benzothiazole aniline (BTA) moiety (Mn-EDTA-BTA) was designed and synthesized for use as a liver-specific MRI contrast agent with high chelation stability. In addition to forming a hydrophilic, stable complex with Mn²⁺, this new Mn chelate was rapidly taken up by liver hepatocytes and excreted by the kidneys and biliary system. The kinetic inertness and <i>R</i>₁ relaxivity of the complex were much higher than those of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP), a clinically approved liver-specific MRI contrast agent. The diagnostic utility of this new Mn complex in MRI was demonstrated by high-sensitivity tumor detection in an animal model of liver cancer