Abstract: | Two new 125I-labeled barbituric acid analogs, 5-ethyl-5-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)2-thiobarbituric acid ( 4 ) and 5-ethyl-5-( m -iodophenyl)barbituric acid ( 7 ), have been prepared and evaluated in rats as potential cerebral perfusion agents. Annulation of 2-ethyl-2-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)malonate ( 3 ) with thiourea in the presence of sodium ethoxide gave the 5-ethyl-5-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-y1)-thiobarbituric acid ( 4 ). Diethyl 2-ethyl-2-phenyl-malonate was treated with thallium(III) trifluoroacetate followed by addition of aqueous potassium iodide to provide diethyl 2-ethyl-2-(m-iodophenyl)malonate ( 10 ). The malonic ester derivative 10 was condensed with urea in the presence of sodium hydride to give the desired 5-ethyl-5-(m-iodophenyl)barbituric acid ( 7 ), and a decarbethoxylation product, 2-(m-iodophenyl)butyric acid ( 11 ). Iodine-125-labeled 4 and 7 were synthesized in the same manner and the tissue distribution of these new agents evaluated in rats. Both 125I] 4 and 125I] 7 showed high brain uptake. Significant in vivo deiodination was detected with 125I] 4 whereas 125I] 7 was found to be stable to deiodination. |