A Controlled System for Parahydrogen Hyperpolarization Experiments

Parahydrogen-induced hyperpolarization (PHIP) was introduced nearly four decades ago as an elegant solution to one of the fundamental limitations of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) — its notoriously low sensitivity. By converting the spin order of parahydrogen into nuclear spin polarization, NMR signals can be boosted by several orders of magnitude. Here we present a portable, compact and cost-effective setup that brings PHIP and Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) experiments within easy reach, operating seamlessly across ultra-low-field (0–10 μT) and high-field (>1 T) conditions at 50% parahydrogen enrichment. The system provides precise control over bubbling pressure, temperature, and gas flow, enabling systematic studies of how these parameters shape hyperpolarization performance. Using the benchmark Ir-IMes catalyst, we explore the catalyst activation time and response to parahydrogen flow and pressure. Polarization transfer experiments from hydrides to [1-13C]pyruvate leading to the estimation of heteronuclear J-coupling are also presented. We further demonstrate the use of Chloro(1,5-cyclooctadiene)[1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene]iridium(I) (Ir-SIPr), a recently introduced catalyst that can also be used for pyruvate hyperpolarization. The proposed design is robust, reproducible, and easy to implement in any laboratory, widening the route to explore and expand the capabilities of parahydrogen-based hyperpolarization.