Nucleophilic ring-opening of activated aziridines: A one-step method for labeling biomolecules with fluorine-18

The direct labeling of biomolecules with fluorine-18 is highly desirable. An option is the ring-opening of an activated aziridine moiety in a biomolecule using ¹⁸F-fluoride. Therefore, a series of aziridine-based model compounds and three aziridine-based biomolecules four aziridine-based model compounds were synthesized and evaluated as potential precursors for a direct one-step radiolabeling with fluorine-18. High to moderate yields of ¹⁸F-incorporation were achieved under mild labeling conditions. The influence of different activating groups, reaction temperature, solvent and base was investigated. The applicability of this method for the direct ¹⁸F-radiolabeling of biomolecules for positron emission tomography (PET) studies is illustrated with examples.     

Synthesis of 18F‐Labelled β‐Lactams by Using the Kinugasa Reaction

Owing to their broad spectrum of biological activities and low toxicity, β‐lactams are attractive lead structures for the design of novel molecular probes. However, the synthesis of positron emission tomography (PET)‐isotope‐labelled β‐lactams has not yet been reported. Herein, we describe the simple preparation of radiofluorinated β‐lactams by using the fast Kinugasa reaction between ¹⁸F‐labelled nitrone [¹⁸F]‐ 1 and alkynes of different reactivity. Additionally, ¹⁸F‐labelled fused β‐lactams were obtained through the reaction of a cyclic nitrone 7 with radiofluorinated alkynes [¹⁸F]‐ 6 a , b . Radiochemical yields of the Kinugasa reaction products could be significantly increased by the use of different Cu^I ligands, which additionally allowed a reduction in the amount of precursor and/or reaction time. Model radiofluorinated β‐lactam‐peptide and protein conjugates ([¹⁸F]‐ 10 and ¹⁸F‐labelled BSA conjugate) were efficiently obtained in high yield under mild conditions (aq. MeCN, ambient temperature) within a short reaction time, demonstrating the suitability of the developed method for radiolabelling of sensitive molecules such as biopolymers.     

Difluorocarbene‐Derived Trifluoromethylthiolation and [18F]Trifluoromethylthiolation of Aliphatic Electrophiles

The first trifluoromethylthiolation and [¹⁸F]trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl electrophiles with in situ generated difluorocarbene in the presence of elemental sulfur and external (radioactive) fluoride ion is described. This transition‐metal‐free approach is high yielding, compatible with a variety of functional groups, and operated under mild reaction conditions. The conceptual advantage of this exogenous‐fluoride‐mediated transformation enables unprecedented syntheses of [¹⁸F]CF₃S‐labeled molecules from most commonly used [¹⁸F]fluoride ions. The rapid radiochemical reaction time (≤1 min) and high functional‐group tolerance allow access to a variety of aliphatic [¹⁸F]CF₃S compounds in high yields.     

Inorganic approaches for radiolabelling biomolecules with fluorine-18 for imaging with positron emission tomography

Conventional methods for radiolabelling biomolecules such as proteins and peptides with fluorine-18 for PET imaging rely on carbon-fluorine bond formation and are complex and inefficient. Several non-carbon elements form strong bonds (i.e. with high bond enthalpy) with fluorine, but with lower activation energy for their formation compared to carbon-fluorine bonds, whilst preserving a relatively high kinetic stability. In particular, by incorporating boron-, aluminium- and silicon-containing prosthetic groups into biomolecules, promising results have recently been achieved in the radiolabelling with F-18-fluoride under mild aqueous conditions, affording a level of convenience, efficiency and specific activity potentially superior to those offered by conventional C-F bond formation methods. The promise already shown by these early studies heralds a new branch of bioconjugate radiochemistry involving a wider range of "fluoridephilic" elements for synthesis of PET molecular imaging agents.     

Synthesis and hydrolytic stability of novel 3-[F]fluoroethoxybis(1-methylethyl)silyl]propanamine-based prosthetic groups

Two new silicon-based prosthetic groups, derived from 3-[ethoxybis(1-methylethyl)silyl]propanamine, have been prepared in good yields. These silicon groups bearing an acid or an azide group were coupled to a model tripeptide (Leu-Gly-Gly) either through a classical amide bond formation or through “click chemistry” via the Huisgen cycloaddition. The radiolabelling with fluorine-18 by substitution of the ethoxy group at silicon has been carried out with success in 51-54% decay corrected radiochemical yields. Radiolabelled peptides were easily prepared by direct ¹⁸F-fluorination of the silicon-bearing tripeptide or by coupling the peptide with a radiolabelled silicon-based prosthetic group. Their stabilities in physiological medium were studied and proved poor.     

[18F]Ethenesulfonyl Fluoride as a Practical Radiofluoride Relay Reagent

Fluorine-18 is the most utilized radioisotope in positron emission tomography (PET), but the wide application of fluorine-18 radiopharmaceuticals is hindered by its challenging labelling conditions. As such, many potentially important radiotracers remain underutilized. Herein, we describe the use of [¹⁸F]ethenesulfonyl fluoride (ESF) as a novel radiofluoride relay reagent that allows radiofluorination reactions to be performed in minimally equipped satellite nuclear medicine centres. [¹⁸F]ESF has a simple and reliable production route and can be stored on inert cartridges. The cartridges can then be shipped remotely and the trapped [¹⁸F]ESF can be liberated by simple solvent elution. We have tested 18 radiolabelling precursors, inclusive of model and clinically used structures, and most precursors have demonstrated comparable radiofluorination efficiencies to those obtained using a conventionally dried [¹⁸F]fluoride source.     

Photochemical Conjugation and One‐Pot Radiolabelling of Antibodies for Immuno‐PET

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immunoglobulin fragments, and other proteins are important scaffolds in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic immuno‐positron emission tomography (immuno‐PET) and targeted radioimmunotherapy (RIT). Conventional methods for radiolabelling proteins with metal ions such as ⁶⁸Ga, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁹Zr, and ⁹⁰Y require multi‐step procedures involving pre‐purification, functionalisation with a chelate, and subsequent radiolabelling. Standard coupling chemistries are time‐consuming, difficult to automate, and involve synthesis, isolation, and storage of an intermediate, new molecular entity (the conjugated mAb) whose biochemical properties can differ from those of the parent protein. To circumvent these issues, we developed a photoradiochemical approach that uses fast, chemoselective, light‐induced protein modification under mild conditions with novel metal‐ion‐binding chelates derivatised with aryl azide (ArN₃) groups. Experiments show that one‐pot photochemical conjugation and radiolabelling of formulated mAbs can be achieved in <20 min.     

Suzuki coupling catalyzed by a homoleptic Pd(I)-Pd(I) solvento complex

The Pd^I-Pd^I bonded complex [Pd₂(CH₃CN)₆][SbF₆]₂ is catalytically active towards Suzuki cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides or chlorides with various arylboronic acids under mild conditions giving good to excellent yields. Its performance is enhanced by the introduction of stoichiometric or limited phosphines. The effects of different ligands, metal oxidation states [Pd(II), Pd(I) Pd(0)], bases and solvents have been examined.     

Silica-Supported Phosphine Palladium(0) Complex Catalyzed Phenylation of Acid Chlorides and Aryl Iodides by Sodium Tetraphenylborate

In the presence of a catalytic amount of silica – supported phosphine palladium(0) complex, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh₄) reacts with acid chlorides under mild conditions to give the corresponding phenyl ketones in 57 – 80% yields; it also reacts with aryl iodides to afford the corresponding biaryls in 75 – 84% yields.     

Alpha selective epoxide opening with F: synthesis of 4-(3-[F]fluoro-2-hydroxypropoxy)benzaldehyde ([F]FPB) for peptide labeling

Strained tricyclic ring systems such as epoxides are rarely used as precursors for the introduction of anionic fluorine-18 into organic compounds intended for positron emission tomography (PET). Here we report the alpha selective ring opening of epoxides for the introduction of fluorine-18 into small as well as larger biomolecules via 1- and 2-step protocols. [¹⁸F]fluoromisonidazole ([¹⁸F]MISO), a tracer for hypoxia imaging, and the tumor targeting peptide Tyr³-octreotate (TATE) were radiolabeled using epoxide opening reactions. In the latter case, the new prosthetic labeling synthon 4-(3-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-hydroxypropoxy)benzaldehyde ([¹⁸F]FPB) has been used for ¹⁸F-introduction.     

Facile Syntheses of the Three Major Metabolites of Thioridazine

Efficient, mild syntheses of the three major metabolites 2 – 4 of the important antipsychotic drug thioridazine ( 1 ) have been developed. The cardiotoxic metabolite 2 with a ring sulfoxide moiety was prepared in 96% yield by oxidation of 1 with NaIO₄ under acidic conditions. Four different procedures were elaborated for the selective side‐chain sulfide oxidation of 1 to mesoridazine ( 3 ), giving rise to yields of up to 91%. Finally, sulforidazine ( 4 ) was synthesised via oxidation of the sulfoxide 3 in the presence of either KMnO₄ or t‐BuOOH under basic conditions. Except for the oxidation with t‐BuOOH, all reactions took place under mild conditions within a few minutes, were nicely reproducible, and afforded medium‐to‐high yields of the desired products, which could be readily purified by column chromatography.     

Effective 2,6-substitution of piperidine nitroxyl radical by carbonyl compound

Nitroxyl radicals (nitroxides) with unpaired electron are widely used as antioxidants, contrast agents, and spin probes. Although piperidine nitroxyl radicals have many applications, these are mainly tetramethylpiperidine compounds, and only a few reports consider the substitution of N-O surround as a reaction site, such as 2,2,6,6-tetrasubstituted piperidine nitroxyl radicals. Our results revealed that the 2,6-position of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one compound was substituted by cyclohexyl groups to produce 2,2,6,6-tetrasubstituted piperidin-4-one derivatives under mild reaction conditions. An interesting result was obtained by using ¹⁵N-labeled NH₄Cl instead of ¹⁴NH₄Cl: it gave ¹⁵N-labeled 2,2,6,6-tetrasubstituted piperidin-4-one-1-oxyls with a high ¹⁵N content. In conclusion, the new method for the synthesis of nitroxyl radicals readily yields 2,2,6,6-tetrasubstituted piperidin-4-one under mild conditions.     

Practical and regioselective brominations of aromatic compounds using tetrabutylammonium peroxydisulfate

Direct bromination of wide range of aromatic compounds substituted with electron donating groups such as methoxy, hydroxy, or amino groups have been achieved with high regioselectivity by the reaction with Br₂ in the presence of tetrabutylammonium peroxydisulfate 1 under mild conditions in acetonitrile in excellent yields. The use of lithium bromide as a bromination reagent afforded high yields of monobromo compounds with complete regioselectivity under neutral and mild reaction conditions in acetonitrile.     

新型手性<i>β</i>-烷氨基-<i>γ</i>-(<i>l</i>-孟氧基)丁内酯的合成

脂肪族伯胺作为亲核试剂与手性合成子5(R)-(l-孟氧基)-2(5H)-呋喃酮(4)发生不对称Michael加成反应, 得到一系列新的手性β-烷氨基-γ-(l-孟氧基)丁内酯类化合物6(产率34～81%, de≥98%). 通过IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, 元素分析及单晶X射线衍射分析, 确认了它们的化学结构、立体化学和绝对构型. 此结果为某些具有生物活性化合物及复杂分子的合成提供了新的途径.     

New fluorine-18 labeled benzaldehydes as precursors in the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals for positron emission tomography

4,5-Bis(butoxy)-2-nitrobenzaldehyde and 4,5-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyloxy)-2-nitrobenzaldehyde, as well as their fluorine-18 labeled derivatives (the half-life of F¹⁸ is T_1/2 = 110 min) were synthesized for use as precursors in the synthesis of fluorine-18 labeled catecholamines and 6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-l-DOPA ((S)-3-[4,5-dihydroxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluorophenyl]-2-aminopropionic acid), important radiopharmaceutical agents (RPAs) for positron emission tomography. An advantageous feature of the newly obtained substituted nitrobenzaldehydes is the presence of labile protective groups which can be removed without using aggressive chemicals and severe conditions, which is of fundamental importance for automation of the RPA synthesis in modern synthesis apparatus. A high and stable radiofluorination yield achieved under the optimum fluorination conditions (Kryptofix 222 [K/K2.2.2.]⁺[¹⁸F^–], DMF, 140 °C, 10 min) using 4,5-bis(butoxy)-2-nitrobenzaldehyde as a substrate (83±6%, the number of experiments was n = 15) makes this compound a precursor of choice for the radioactive synthesis.     

Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed allylation of quinones with allyltrimethylsilane

p-Quinones react smoothly with allyltrimethylsilane in the presence of 2 mol% of Bi(OTf)₃ under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding allyl substituted benzene derivatives, p-allylquinols and allyl substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones in excellent yields with high regioselectivity. This method is very useful for the direct introduction of an allyl functionality onto a quinone moiety.     

Copper‐Mediated Aromatic 1,1‐Difluoroethylation with (1,1‐Difluoroethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF2CH3)

A new method for the formation of 1,1‐difluoroethyl copper species (“CuCF₂CH₃”) with 1,1‐difluoroethylsilane (TMSCF₂CH₃) has been developed. The “CuCF₂CH₃” species can be applied to the efficient 1,1‐difluoroethylation of diaryliodonium salts under mild conditions, affording (1,1‐difluoroethyl)arenes in good to excellent yields. This convenient procedure tolerates a wide range of functional groups and thus serves as a practical synthetic tool for the introduction of CF₂CH₃ group(s) into complex molecules.     

A Mild,Simple, Efficient,and Selective Protection of Hydroxyl Groups Using Silica-Supported Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

A mild, simple, novel, and highly efficient method for the rapid protection of various primary, secondary, tertiary aliphatic alcohols, aromatic alcohols, and oximes using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) in the presence of silica-supported sodium hydrogen sulfate (NaHSO ₄ -SiO ₂ ), as an active, inexpensive, nontoxic, heterogeneous, and readily available catalyst under ambient conditions is described. Timethylsilyl ethers were prepared in high to excellent yields, with short reaction times under mild and almost neutral reaction conditions at room temperature.     

A convenient method for reduction dehalogenation of α-halocarbonyl compounds using benzenethiol in K+/CH3CN system

Benzenethiol, as a reductive agent for the dehalogenation of various α-halocarbonyl compounds, is investigated in the K⁺/CH₃CN system. The reaction affords the reduced compounds in high yields under mild reaction conditions, especially α-chlorocarbonyl compounds. Furthermore, the reaction performed under ultrasonic irradiation greatly shortens the reaction time.     

Photocatalyzed Cyanodifluoromethylation of Alkenes

Difluoromethylation is a straightforward and widely applied strategy used to incorporate HCF₂ into organic molecules. In contrast, cyanation reagents are typically volatile or highly toxic, or they require harsh reaction conditions. Incorporation of both CN and HCF₂ into organic molecules, such as alkenes, is a worthwhile but challenging task. A method for photocatalyzed cyanodifluoromethylation of alkenes has been developed, which employs a Ph₃P⁺CF₂CO₂^?/NaNH₂ (or NH₃) reagent system. Ph₃P⁺CF₂CO₂^? functions as both the HCF₂ and CN carbon source. A cyanide anion is generated in situ under mild conditions, thereby avoiding the use of toxic cyanation reagents. The photocatalytic method permits cyanodifluoromethylation of a range of alkenes under mild room temperature conditions. The CN group within the products may be further derivatized by standard methods.