Spin transition molecular materials: intelligent contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

Some preliminary results from a model of temperature-sensitive contrast agents are reported. This paramagnetic system switches from a spin S = 0 diamagnetic state to a S = 2 paramagnetic one at a temperature that can be tuned according to chemical composition. The magnetic susceptibility jump and the subsequent R2* effect as a function of temperature have been followed by means of spectroscopy, relaxometry, and imaging, demonstrating sharp and reversible transitions. Potential applications of this kind of system could be found in therapy by hyperthermia or in material science.