Rapid synthesis of C-labeled FK506 for positron emission tomography

The present study describes a rapid synthesis method for labeled [¹¹C]FK506 for positron emission tomography (PET). A one-pot reaction from [¹¹C]CH₃I, involving a Wittig reaction as the key carboncarbon bond formation was developed. The chemical process was accomplished using a designed, fully automated synthetic apparatus, and an injectable solution of [¹¹C]FK506 was obtained in only 34 min from [¹¹C]CH₃I. The decay-corrected radiochemical yield based on [¹¹C]CH₃I was 11.9%, and the specific activity was 39.8 GBq/μmol.     

A new technique for labeling of [11C]-choline, a positron-emitting tracer for tumor imaging

Summary [¹¹C]-choline has been reported as a potential tracer for imaging a variety of human tumors with positron emission tomography (PET). A new labeling technique for [¹¹C]-choline was established depending on parameters optimized, such as reaction time, volume, temperature, and the quantity of DMAE.The synthesis yield was improved from 82.0% to 96.5% (EOB), while the consumption of DMAE precursor decreased from 60 to 2 mg. Absolute yield of [¹¹C]-choline was 2500 MBq for a 10-minute irradiation at15mA, and a total synthesis time of less than 8 minutes from [¹¹C]-CH₃I to [¹¹C]-choline.     

Synthesis of [carbonyl-C]acetophenone via the Stille cross-coupling reaction of [1-C]acetyl chloride with tributylphenylstannane mediated by Pd2(dba)3/P(MeNCH2CH2)3N·HCl

The Stille cross-coupling reaction of [1-¹¹C]acetyl chloride with tributylphenylstannane leading to [carbonyl-¹¹C]acetophenone was studied with the goal of developing a new ¹¹C-labeling method for positron emission tomography tracer synthesis. The coupled product [carbonyl-¹¹C]acetophenone was synthesized using the Pd₂(dba)₃/P(MeNCH₂CH₂)₃N·HCl system with a 60-61% radiochemical conversion from [1-¹¹C]acetyl chloride (decay-corrected, n = 3).     

Rapid ‘on-column’ preparation of hydrogen [11C]cyanide from [11C]methyl iodide via [11C]formaldehyde

Hydrogen [¹¹C]cyanide ([¹¹C]HCN) is a versatile ¹¹C-labelling agent for the production of ¹¹C-labelled compounds used for positron emission tomography (PET). However, the traditional method for [¹¹C]HCN production requires a dedicated infrastructure, limiting accessibility to [¹¹C]HCN. Herein, we report a simple and efficient [¹¹C]HCN production method that can be easily implemented in ¹¹C production facilities. The immediate production of [¹¹C]HCN was achieved by passing gaseous [¹¹C]methyl iodide ([¹¹C]CH₃I) through a small two-layered reaction column. The first layer contained an N-oxide and a sulfoxide for conversion of [¹¹C]CH₃I to [¹¹C]formaldehyde ([¹¹C]CH₂O). The [¹¹C]CH₂O produced was subsequently converted to [¹¹C]HCN in a second layer containing hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid. The yield of [¹¹C]HCN produced by the current method was comparable to that of [¹¹C]HCN produced by the traditional method. The use of oxymatrine and diphenyl sulfoxide for [¹¹C]CH₂O production prevented deterioration of the molar activity of [¹¹C]HCN. Using this method, compounds labelled with [¹¹C]HCN are now made easily accessible for PET synthesis applications using readily available labware, without the need for the ‘traditional’ dedicated cyanide synthesis infrastructure.

In a reaction column, gaseous [¹¹C]methyl iodide was converted to [¹¹C]formaldehyde in a first layer containing N-oxide and then transformed into hydrogen [¹¹C]cyanide in a second layer containing hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid within 2 minutes.     

Preparation of N-[11C]methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine

In order to evaluate the neurobiological mechanism causing the psychogenic effects of N-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (MDOM), the¹¹C labelled analogue was prepared for application in in vivo PET studies by the reaction of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) with [¹¹C]CH₃I. The radiochemical yield was determined in dependence on time, temperature, solvent and amount of substrate. The best conditions for fast labelling reactions with¹¹C on a preparative scale were found to be a reaction time of 10 miutes at 110°C using 1 mg DOM in acetonitrile thus obtaining radiochemical yields of 80% (based on produced [¹¹C]CH₃I).     

[11C]-labeling of some caffeine derivatives for mapping adenosine A2a receptors by PET technique

[¹¹C]-labeled form of ten A_2a adenosine receptor specific 8-styryl-7-methyl-xanthine derivatives ([¹¹C]-caffeines) were synthesised by N-methylation of the corresponding 8-styryl-xanthine derivatives using [¹¹C]-methyl iodide in optimized reaction conditions. The results show that the [¹¹C]-methylations take place with excellent radiochemical yields (35–93%), and can be utilised easily in online preparations. These labeled ligands may facilitate the positron emission tomographic (PET) investigation of adenosine A_2a receptors.     

Synthesis of 15-(4-[11C]methylphenyl)pentadecanoic acid (MePPA) via Stille cross-coupling reaction

For experimental studies by animal PET [¹¹C]-labeled 15-(4-methylphenyl)pentadecanoic acid (MePPA) is an attractive alternative to the radioiodinated 15-(4-iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid (IPPA) which has widely been used for imaging of fatty acid metabolism. The important physiological aspect is that the iodine atom and the methyl substituent have similar steric and lipophilic properties. For preparation of [¹¹C]MePPA, Stille cross-coupling reaction was applied since the same tin precursor as for the radiosynthesis of IPPA and readily available [¹¹C]CH₃I can be used. Unsaturated tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)/tri(o-tolyl)phosphine [Pd₂(dba)₃/P(o-tolyl)₃] was taken as the catalytic system. The reaction conditions were optimized with respect to temperature, time, solvent and amount of precursor. The best radiochemical yields of 73 ± 2.8% (decay corr.) were obtained using 0.525 mg tin precursor in DMF at 80 °C already after a reaction time of 10 min. The labeled methyl ester was hydrolyzed by 1 M NaOH/EtOH at 80 °C within 3 min to give [¹¹C]IPPA in a RCY of 62 ± 3.0%. The radiochemical purity of the product assured by HPLC was >99% and the overall preparation time including HPLC purification and formulation was 40 min.     

N-[11C]methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (Ecstasy) and 2-methyl-N-[11C]methyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine: Synthesis and biodistribution studies

In order to evaluate the neurobiological mechanism causing the psychogenic effects of methylenedioxy-derivatives of amphetamine, the carbon-11 labeled analogues of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA),2 and 2,N-dimethyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MADAM-6)4 were prepared for application in in-vivo PET studies by methylation of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)1 and 2-methyl-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine3 with [¹¹C]CH₃I. The radiochemical yield was determined in dependence on time, temperature and amount of precursor. The best conditions for a fast labeling reaction with carbon-11 on a preparative scale were found to be a reaction time of 10 min using 1 mg of the corresponding dimethyl-precursors1 or3, thus obtaining radiochemical yields of 60% (based on produced [¹¹C]CH₃I). Biodistribution studies were performed in rats, a high brain to blood ratio of 7.5 was observed for [¹¹C]MDMA in contrast to a ratio of 3.7 for [¹¹C]MADAM-6.     

Yield ratio of [11C]-CO2, [11C]-CO and [11C]-CH4 from the irradiation of N2/H2-mixtures in a gas target

The¹⁴N/p, /¹¹C-reaction was studied in different N₂/H₂-mixtures. The products are [¹¹C]-CO₂, [¹¹C]-CO and [¹¹C]-CH₄. The yield ratio may be controlled by varying the bombardment conditions. High pressure, high H₂-content, high beam current and high proton energy shift the ratio towards [¹¹C]-CH₄. Lower beam current and lower proton energy increase the yield of [¹¹C]-CO₂. The production of [¹¹C]-CO is constant over a wide range of conditions /about 10%/. For the production of [¹¹C]-CH₄ in good yield a target gas holder for high pressures has been developed. Details are given in Fig. 7. This target gas holder was filled with 5% H₂ in N₂ at 3×10⁶ Pa. Proton irradiation of the mixture gives a typical yield of [¹¹C]-CH₄ of 400–500 mCi at a beam current of 15–20 A within 20 min. Only traces of other¹¹C-labelled compounds could be detected under these conditions.     

N-[11C]methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB): synthesis, quality control and biodistribution

N-[¹¹C]methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine ([¹¹C]MBDB) 3 was prepared by methylation of the demethyl precursor BDB with [¹¹C]CHI. The radiosynthesis was optimized with regard to temperature, reaction time and amount of precursor, best results (i.e., 84% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CH₃I activity) were obtained using 3 mg BDB at a reaction temperature of 130 °C in 8 minutes. With respect to a facilitated workup routine, productions were performed with 0.6 mg BDB at 110 °C for 10 minutes, yielding more than 50% of 3. The radiochemical purity of the final tracer solution was >98%, the specific activity was determined to be 300 GBq/mol (8000 Ci/mmol). Biodistribution, studies in rats showed two major metabolic pathways as indicated by an increasing liver uptake (9.1% ID/organ at 5 minutes to 21% ID/organ at 30 minutes) and a high urine activity (up to 16% ID/g). In brain tracer uptake was more than 1%, with a brain to blood ratio of almost 12 resulting from a very rapid blood clearance of 3.     

Performances of a TRACERlab FX C synthesis module using a Ni-nanopowder/molecular sieves mixed catalyst

The progress of positron emission tomography goes together with an increasing demand for new radiopharmaceuticals: among these, the development of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with carbon-11 is particularly interesting because these compounds are biologically indistinguishable from their stable analogues. These radiotracers are prepared starting from [¹¹C]carbon dioxide, the most common and versatile primary labelling precursor, or from secondary labelling precursors such [¹¹C]methyl iodide produced by “wet” or “gas-phase” method. The gas-phase is the most used method and consists in the radical reaction of iodine vapours with [¹¹C]methane, produced in target or from [¹¹C]carbon dioxide by reduction with hydrogen on nickel catalyst at high temperature. This second approach is frequently adopted in commercial automatic methylation modules, such as the TRACERlab FX C. When not performed in target, [¹¹C]CH₄ production represents a key step for the [¹¹C]CH₃I synthesis from which the outcome of the whole radiolabelling process depends. In order to improve the performance of the module, a new reduction catalyst made of a mixture of metallic Ni (nanopowder) and molecular sieves mixed in different ratios has been tested. Preliminary results demonstrated that not only the mixture of nanopowder-Ni and molecular sieves represents a valid reduction catalyst but also permits to trap [¹¹C]CO₂ and subsequently use it as labelling reagent, making TRACERlab FX C a module for both methylation and carboxylation.     

A simplified [11C]phosgene synthesis

A new flow-through system for the production of [¹¹C]phosgene, a versatile labelling agent in radiochemistry for PET, is described. Cyclotron-produced [¹¹C]CH₄ is mixed with Cl₂ and converted into [¹¹C]CCl₄ by passing the mixture through an empty quartz tube at 510 °C. The outflow is directed through a Sb-filled guard that takes out Cl₂ and then, without intentional O₂ addition, through a second empty quartz tube at 750 °C, giving rise to [¹¹C]phosgene in 30–35% radiochemical yield.     

General Method for the 11C‐Labeling of 2‐Arylpropionic Acids and Their Esters: Construction of a PET Tracer Library for a Study of Biological Events Involved in COXs Expression

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a critical enzyme in prostaglandin biosynthesis that modulates a wide range of biological functions, such as pain, fever, and so on. To perform in vivo COX imaging by positron emission tomography (PET), we developed a method to incorporate ¹¹C radionuclide into various 2‐arylpropionic acids that have a common methylated structure, particularly among nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Thus, we developed a novel ¹¹C‐radiolabeling methodology based on rapid C‐[¹¹C]methylation by the reaction of [¹¹C]CH₃I with enolate intermediates generated from the corresponding esters under basic conditions. One‐pot hydrolysis of the above [¹¹C]methylation products also allows the synthesis of desired ¹¹C‐incorporated acids. We demonstrated the utility of this method in the syntheses of six PET tracers, [¹¹C]Ibuprofen, [¹¹C]Naproxen, [¹¹C]Flurbiprofen, [¹¹C]Fenoprofen, [¹¹C]Ketoprofen, and [¹¹C]Loxoprofen. Notably, we found that their methyl esters were particularly useful as proradiotracers for a study of neuroinflammation. The microPET studies of rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced brain inflammation clearly showed that the radioactivity of PET tracers accumulated in the inflamed region. Among these PET tracers, the specificity of [¹¹C]Ketoprofen methyl ester was demonstrated by a blocking study. Metabolite analysis in the rat brain revealed that the methyl esters were initially taken up in the brain and then underwent hydrolysis to form pharmacologically active forms of the corresponding acids. Thus, we succeeded in general ¹¹C‐labeling of 2‐arylpropionic acids and their methyl esters as PET tracers of NSAIDs to construct a potentially useful PET tracer library for in vivo imaging of inflammation involved in COXs expression.     

[4 + 6]-cycloaddition von 1,3-butadien an hexacarbonyl-μ-η6:6-heptafulvalen-dichrom(0)

The thermal reaction of heptafulvalene (I) with [Cr(CO)₃(CH₃CH)₃] (II) gives the hexacarbonyl-η^6:6-heptafulvalenedichromium(0) complex (III). UV irradiation of complex III in THF solution, with 1,3-butadiene (IV) in successive [4 + 6]-cycloadditions and decomplexations gives the complexes tricarbonyl-η⁶-11-(2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-ylidene)bicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-2,4,8-trine-chromium(0) (V) and tricarbonyl-η⁶-bi(bicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-2,4,8-trien-11-ylidene)-chromium(0) (VI). On warming, VI looses the bi(bicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-2,4,8-trien-11-ylidene) hydrocarbon ligand (VII). The reaction of VII with [Mo(CO)₃(diglyme)] (VIII) gives the tricarbonyl-η⁶-bi(bicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-2,4,8-trien-11-ylidene)molybdenum(0) complex (IX). The compounds III, V–VII and IX were characterized by IR and NMR spectra (¹H, ¹³C) and by C,H elemental analysis.     

Radiosynthesis of New Carbon-11-labeled Nimesulide Analogs as Potential PET SAER Tracers for Imaging of Aromatase Expression in Breast Cancer

Carbon-11-labeled nimesulide analogs, N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-(2-benzyloxy-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]4a), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[2-(4′-methylbenzyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]4b), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[2-(4′-fluorobenzyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]4c), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[2-(4′-nitrobenzyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]8a), N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[2-(β-naphthylmethoxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]8b), and N-[¹¹C]methyl-N-[2-(2′-phenylbenzyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide ([¹¹C]8c), have been synthesized as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) selective aromatase expression regulator (SAER) radiotracers for imaging of aromatase expression in breast cancer. The target tracers were prepared by N-[¹¹C]methylation of their corresponding precursors using [¹¹C]CH₃OTf under basic conditions (NaH) and isolated by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method in 30–50% radiochemical yields decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB) with 25–30 min overall synthesis time and 111–148 GBq/μmol specific activity at end of synthesis (EOS).     

Asymmetric nitroaldol reaction using nitromethane labeled with C

Nitro[¹¹C]methane produced from [¹¹C]O₂ reacted with several aldehydes in the presence of chiral metal catalyst prepared from LaLi₃{tris(binaphtoxide)}, n-BuLi, H₂O, and (R)-binaphtol. The molar ratios of La, Li, and binaphtol for effective catalysis in the ¹¹C-labeling were 1/4/4.5 and 1/4/6, respectively. The ¹¹C-nitroaldol products were obtained in 3-25% radiochemical yields with 39-51% ee within 20 min starting from the preparation of nitro[¹¹C]methane.     

Einbauversuche mit (3H und 14C)-doppelmarkiertem Farnesol in Cantharidin. 5. Mitteilung zur Biosynthese des Cantharidins

Incorporation experiments with (³H and ¹⁴C) doubly labelled farnesols into cantharidin After injection of 11′, 12-[³H]-7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol or 11′, 12-[³H]-5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol, the ³H-label is located specifically in the C(9)-methyl-group of cantharidin, whereas the ¹⁴C-labelling pattern follows an incorporation via acetic acid (Scheme 4). C-Atoms 5, 6 and 7 from the middle part of the farnesol molecule are utilized for cantharidin biosynthesis to an extent that is about 2.1–11% of the incorporation rate of the methyl groups C(11′) and C(12), depending on the position of the ¹⁴C-label in farnesol. These results confirm our earlier hypothesis [1] that the C₁₀-molecule cantharidin is biosynthesized from the C₁₅-precursor farnesol which is cleaved between C(1)–C(2), C(4)–C(5), and C(7)–C(8). The synthesis of 7-[¹⁴C]-farnesol and of 5,6-[¹⁴C]-farnesol is described.     

Rapid in situ synthesis of [C]methyl azide and its application in C click-chemistry

We synthesized [¹¹C]methyl azide ([¹¹C]MeA) by reacting [¹¹C]methyl iodide ([¹¹C]MeI) in situ with an azide-donor and used it in the synthesis of ¹¹C-labeled 1,2,3-triazoles. A one-pot click approach comprised the infusion of gaseous [¹¹C]MeI into a mixture of NaN₃, ethynylbenzene, and CuI in water at a temperature of 100 °C yielding the ¹¹C-triazole in radiochemical yields (RCY) of 25%. In a two-step labeling protocol, we synthesized the [¹¹C]MeA in acetonitrile in advance to the click step. Using the more soluble complex as source of , a much higher trapping efficiency of [¹¹C]MeI in this solvent ensured an almost quantitative conversion of [¹¹C]MeI to [¹¹C]MeA within 5-10 min at room temperature. The [¹¹C]MeA was thereafter reacted with ethynylbenzene at 100 °C yielding 1-[¹¹C]methyl-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole in preparative RCY of 60%. As a final proof of applicability, we used ¹¹C-click-chemistry for the labeling of N-terminal 4-ethynylbenzene derivatized d-Glu-d-Tyr-[Cys-Tyr-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys]-Thr, a cyclic water-soluble Tyr³-octreotate derivative.     

Improved synthesis of the thiophenol precursor N-(4-chloro-3-mercaptophenyl)picolinamide for making the mGluR4 PET ligands

Recently [¹¹C]mG4P012 (previously [¹¹C]KALB012 and presently named as [¹¹C]PXT012253 by Prexton Therapeutics) had been used as a biomarker during the preclinical development of a potential therapeutic drug, PXT0002331 (an mGluR4 PAM), for PD and l-dopa-induced dyskinesia. [¹¹C]mG4P012 was shown to be a promising PET radioligand for mGluR4 in the monkey brain and for further development in human subjects. However, the previously reported multi-step synthesis of the thiophenol precursor suffered from low yields and difficult workup procedures. To support the translational research of [¹¹C]mG4P012 and the other potential applications, we have developed a new route for synthesis of the thiophenol precursor and optimized the reaction conditions. The synthesis of N-(4-chloro-3-mercaptophenyl)picolinamide from 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene has been greatly improved from 8% to 52% total yield with easy handling and in gram scales.     

Use of Dibutyl[14C]formamide as a Formylating Reagent in the Vilsmeier–Haack Reaction and Synthesis of a 14C‐Labeled Novel Phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE‐4) Inhibitor

A simple, high‐yielding synthesis of dibutyl[¹⁴C]formamide ([¹⁴C]DBF; 1 ) from ¹⁴CO₂ was developed (Scheme 1): reaction of LiBEt₃H and ¹⁴CO₂ followed by aqueous workup gave H¹⁴CO₂H in high yield. Conversion of the [¹⁴C]formic acid to 1 was effected by a standard carbodiimide coupling procedure. The utility of 1 as an alternative to dimethyl[¹⁴C]formamide ([¹⁴C]DMF) in alkylation reactions and in the [¹⁴C]Vilsmeier–Haack reaction was demonstrated for several substrates (Table 2). A ¹⁴C‐labeled phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE‐4) inhibitor, [¹⁴C]‐ 2 , was synthesized by application of this technology (Scheme 2).