Abstract: The purpose of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the necrosis target of MRI contrast agent based on rhein. The novel ligand 10-［6-(1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-carboxamido)hexyl］aminoacetyl-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecan-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid(DO3A-rhein)was synthesized by two-step acylation and two-step deprotection. The paramagnetic contrast agent gadolinium 10-［6-(1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-carboxamido)hexyl］amino acetyl-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecan-1, 4, 7-triacetate(Gd-DO3A-rhein)was obtained by coordination of Gd³⁺ with the synthesized ligand. Its necrosis affinity was evaluated by liver infarction and muscular necrosis on rat models. The MRI was performed before administration of Gd-DO3A-rhein and during 0 h to 12 h after administration of Gd-DO3A-rhein(0. 1 mmol/kg), respectively, and Gd-DOTA was used as control. After MRI scanning, rats were sacrificed and necrotic tissues were stained using triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)and hematoxylin-eosin(HE). MRI images of liver infarction and muscular necrosis on rat models showed significantly enhanced signal intensity compared with normal tissues. The contrast ratios of necrotic liver/normal liver were 1. 61±0. 14 and 2. 36±0. 20 at 3 h and 12 h postinjection of Gd-DO3A-rhein(0. 1 mmol/kg)respectively, demonstrating a significant difference compared with pre-administration of Gd-DO3A-rhein(1. 16±0. 10; P<0. 05). The same results were obtained from necrotic muscles. These findings suggested that Gd-DO3A-rhein possessed the necrosis target and imaging capability of necrotic tissues.