Hyperpolarization of Amino Acid Derivatives in Water for Biological Applications

We report on the successful synthesis and hyperpolarization of N unprotected {\alpha} amino acid ethyl acrylate esters and extensively, on an alanine derivative hyperpolarized by PHIP (4.4$\pm$1% $^{13}$C-polarization), meeting required levels for in vivo detection. Using water as solvent increases biocompatibility and the absence of N-protection is expected to maintain biological activity.