Chemical and biological evaluation of 99mTc (CO)3 and 99mTc complexes of some IDA derivatives

The confirmation that N-substituted imidodiacetic acids, as small and simple ligand systems containing amines and carboxylic acids, could be coordinated to the tricarbonyl core and form inert complexes with [^99mTc (CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, is demonstrated. The HPLC quality control results of ^99mTc-carbonyl tagged IDA molecules, performed by gradient HPLC, have shown that HIDA, EHIDA and p-butyl-IDA form complexes with [^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺, with a labeling yield of ~90% for each of ^99mTc(CO)₃ IDA derivatives. However, the changes in the structure of labeled compounds, e.g., EHIDA, influence the changes in the biological behavior. In comparison with ^99mTc-EHIDA, the biliary excretion of ^99mTc(CO)₃ EHIDA was lower, but the urinary excretion higher. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of novel [99mTc(I)]+ and [99mTc(I)(CO)3]+ complexes with a 4-nitroimidazole isocyanide for imaging tumor hypoxia

[^99mTc(I)]⁺ and [^99mTc(I)(CO)₃]⁺ complexes with isocyanide exhibit high stability, which makes them suitable platforms to develop novel ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. To develop novel ^99mTc radiotracers for imaging hypoxia, in this study, a novel L ligand (4-nitroimidazole isocyanide derivative) was synthesized and labelled using [^99mTc(I)]⁺ core and [^99mTc(I)(CO)₃]⁺ core to produce [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ and [^99mTc(CO)₃(L)₃]⁺ with high yields. To verify the structure of the ^99mTc complexes, corresponding rhenium analogues were synthesized and characterized. Both of the ^99mTc complexes were stable and hydrophilic. in vitro cellular uptake results showed they could exhibit good hypoxic selectivity. The evaluation of biodistribution in mice bearing S180 tumors indicated both of them could accumulate in tumor. Between them, [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ exhibited higher tumor uptake and tumor/non-target ratio than [^99mTc(CO)₃(L)₃]⁺. Further, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging studies of [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ indicated an obvious accumulation in tumor and the value of the region-of-interest (ROI) ratio of the uptake for the tumor site to the corresponding non-tumor region was 5.64 ± 0.52. The above results suggested [^99mTc(L)₆]⁺ would be a potential tracer for imaging tumor hypoxia.     

Phosphonate complexes of 99mTc - Potential bone scintigraphy agents

The synthesis of several combined aminophosphonate ligands containing an N-carboxymethyl group is described. The complexes of these ligands were prepared both with ^99mTc and ⁹⁹Tc, and the dependence of their formation on pH and the stoichiometry of reagents was studied. All of the complexes were pharmacologically evaluated. The distribution of radioactivity and bone uptake were determined, and discussed in comparison with clinically used phosphonate complexes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of (η-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes

We have undertaken a study of the microwave-assisted synthesis of (η⁶-arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes. Under microwave irradiation, the reactions of hexacarbonylchromium with arenes gave high yields of (η⁶-arene)chromium tricarbonyl complexes.     

99mTc complexes of 1,3-propanedithiol derivatives

The labelling of 1,3-n alkylpropanedithiols and of 15-/1,3-dimercapto 2-propyl/ pentadecanoic acid by^99mTc has been performed by an exchange reaction with the hexachlorotechnetate ion^99mTcCl ₆ ^2– and by reduction of^99mTcO ₄ ^– with Sn/II/ in the presence of the ligand. The biological distribution of the exotechnetium complexes obtained by the latter method in mouse does not reveal a high tropism of these labelling compounds in relation to a particular tissue.     

Aqueous fluoride and the preparation of [99mTc(CO)3(OH2)3]+ and 99mTc-carborane complexes

A method for the preparation of eta5-metallocarborane complexes of technetium-99m in water was developed. The key to the procedure is the use of aqueous sodium or potassium fluoride, which prevents premature degradation of the Tc(I) starting material used to prepare the carborane complexes. Solid-phase extraction was used to purify Tc-metallocarboranes derived from both ortho and meta isomers, which were isolated in good to excellent yields in high radiochemical purities. In conjunction with these studies, a series of fluoride-based "kits" were developed to produce the key precursor [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ in the absence of any other stabilizing ligand. Using this approach, [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ could be prepared directly from 99mTcO4- under a range of pH values, including neutral pH, which affords the opportunity to develop one-pot labeling procedures for base-sensitive targeting vectors.     

Shelf-life of99mTc(Sn)-pyrophosphate

The effect of the preparation conditions on the in vitro stability of^99mTc (Sn)-pyrophosphate kit solution has been examined. To extend the shelf-life of the preparation, different methods of protection were tested. Nitrogen purging stabilizes the kit for at least 6 h after labeling when the content of^99mTc-pertechnetate raises to about 5%. However, this method is ineffective in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The protecting ability of two chemicals was also determined. Gentisic acid gave good results. In the presence of 50 g of gentisic acid per ml of the kit the content of pertechnetate was 1–2% throughout the examined time interval. To eliminate the influence of hydrogen peroxide (6 g per ml of the kit) about 100 g of gentisic acid is needed. N, N-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) performs some protecting effect only when used in the samples protected by nitrogen purging. However its protecting ability is lower that in the case of gentisic acid.     

99mTc-centered one-pot synthesis for preparation of 99mTc radiotracers

Nuclear medicine relies on two main imaging modalities: single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Radiopharmaceuticals (or radiotracers) are the blood stream of nuclear medicine for the diagnosis or therapy of diseases. Diagnostic radiotracers that are small molecules labelled with a gamma-emitter for SPECT or positron-emitter for PET provide a non-invasive method to assess the disease or disease states and monitor the therapeutic efficacy of a specific treatment regime. Over the past four decades, radiopharmaceutical research has been practising one-pot synthesis at the tracer level (10(-7)-10(-6) M). Many (99m)Tc radiotracers currently used in nuclear medicine are routinely prepared by following the basic principles of one-pot synthesis. Unlike traditional organic one-pot synthesis, which often involves the formation of multiple C-C and C-heteroatom bonds in a single step, the (99m)Tc-centered one-pot synthesis requires the formation of multiple coordination bonds between Tc and various donor atoms, such as N, O, S and P. This review will illustrate how the (99m)Tc-centered one-pot synthesis is utilized for routine preparations of different (99m)Tc radiotracers.     

A glucosamine-dipicolylamine conjugate of 99mTc(I) and 186Re(I) for use in imaging and therapy

The synthesis and metal complexation of a glucosamine-appended 2,2'-dipicolylamine ligand to the tricarbonyls of 99mTc and 186Re is described; the ligand was found to bind in a tridentate fashion with the glucosamine function remaining pendant, and the 99mTc complex was found to exhibit exceptional stability towards in vitro ligand exchange experiments.     

Preparation of99mTc complexes with compounds structurally related to (4r)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid

The preparation of^99mTc-Sn-complexes with derivatives of (4R)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid is described. The labeling efficiency of all labeled compounds was checked by paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography and paper electrophoresis. Preliminary results of the biodistribution studies performed in mice are given. The proposed structure of the^99mTc-labled monocomplexes is also discussed.     

Preparation of99mTc complexes with diastereomeric dimercaptosuccinic acids

Four stereoisomeric^99mTc complexes from meso and racemic 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids /DMSA/ were prepared controlling the pH and the molar ratio of ligand to tin/II/ chloride. The complexes showed different thermal stability and lipophilicity.     

Carbonyl-organocobalt(I) and -(II) complexes

Passage of CO through solutions of complexes (C₆F₅)₂CoL₂ gives carbonyl derivatives (C₆F₅)₂CoL₂(CO) (L₂ = 2 PEt₃, 2 P-n-Bu₃, 2 PPh₃, Ph₂PCH₂CH₃PPh₂). The properties of these compounds are described.The compounds are also produced by treating solutions of (C₆F₅)₂Co-(dioxane)₂ with CO, but a simultaneous reduction to (C₆F₅)Co(CO)₄ takes place. Treatment of the latter complex with monodentate ligands gives substitution products (C₆F₅)Co(CO)₃L (L = PEt₃, P-n-Bu₃, PPh₃) all of which are monomeric, whereas the addition of Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ gives the dimer (C₆F₅)(CO)₂CoLLCo(CO)₂(C₆F₅). The properties of these compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis of 99mTc(CO)3-NOET via [99mTc(OH2)3(CO)3]+ precursor and comparative biological studies with 99mTcN-noet

Summary The organometallic precursor fac-[^99mTc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ was reacted with N-ethoxy, N-ethyl dithiocarbamate (NOET) in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) at room temperature for 30 minutes to produce the ^99mTc(CO)₃-NOET complex. The radiochemical purity (RCP) of the product was over 90% as measured by thin layer chromatography (TLC). No decomposition of the complex at room temperature (RT) was observed over a period of 6 hours. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a lipophilic complex. The biodistribution comparison in mice of the ^99mTc(CO)₃-NOET complex and the ^99mTcN-NOET complex showed that the former had a lower heart and brain uptake as compared to that of the latter, suggesting the incorporation of the [^99mTc(CO)₃]⁺ core into the NOET ligand does not improve the biological features as a myocardial imaging agent.     

Tricarbonylrhenium(I) and manganese(I) complexes of 2-(pyrazolyl)-4-toluidine

A series of tricarbonyl rhenium(I) and manganese(I) complexes of the electroactive 2-(pyrazolyl)-4-toluidine ligand, H(pzAn^Me), has been prepared and characterized including by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The reactions between H(pzAn^Me) and M(CO)₅Br afford fac-MBr(CO)₃[H(pzAn^Me)] (M = Mn, 1a; Re, 1b) complexes. The ionic species {fac-M(CH₃CN)(CO)₃[H(pzAn^Me)]}(PF₆) (M = Mn, 2a; Re, 2b) were prepared by metathesis of 1a or 1b with TlPF₆ in acetonitrile. Complexes 1a and 1b partly ionize to {M(CH₃CN)(CO)₃[H(pzAn^Me)]⁺}(Br⁻) in CH₃CN but retain their integrity in less donating solvents such as acetone or CH₂Cl₂. Each of the four metal complexes reacts with (NEt₄)(OH) in CH₃CN to give poorly-soluble crystalline [fac-M(CO)₃(μ-pzAn^Me)]₂ (M = Mn, 3a; Re, 3b). The solid state structures of 3a and 3b are of centrosymmetric dimeric species with bridging amido nitrogens and with pyrazolyls disposed trans- to the central planar M₂N₂ metallacycle. In stark contrast to the diphenylboryl derivatives, Ph₂B(pzAn^Me), none of the tricarbonyl group 7 metal complexes are luminescent.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel oxotechnetium (99Tc and 99mTc) and oxorhenium complexes from the 2,2'-bipyridine (NN)/thiol (S) mixed-ligand system

The synthesis and characterization of oxotechnetium and oxorhenium mixed-ligand complexes of the general formula MO[NN][S](3) (M = (99)Tc and Re), where NN represents the bidentate ligand 2,2'-bipyridine and S represents a monodentate thiophenol, is reported. The complexes were prepared by ligand exchange reactions using (99)Tc-gluconate and ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) as precursors for the oxotechnetium and oxorhenium complexes, respectively. Compound 1 (M = (99)Tc, S = 4-methylthiophenol) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a, a = 23.12(1) A, b = 14.349(6) A, c = 8.801(4) A, beta = 94.81(2) degrees, V = 2918(2) A(3), Z = 4. Compound 3 (M = Re, S = 4-methylthiophenol) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a, a = 23.018(9) A, b = 14.421(5) A, c = 8.775(3) A, beta = 94.78(1) degrees, V = 2903(2) A(3), Z = 4. Compound 4 (M = Re, S = 4-methoxythiophenol) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, a = 16.32(1) A, b = 24.55(2) A, c = 16.94(1) A, V = 6788(9) A(3), Z = 8. In all cases, the coordination geometry around the metal is distorted octahedral with the equatorial plane being defined by the three sulfur atoms of the thiophenols and one nitrogen atom of 2,2'-bipyridine, while the apical positions are occupied by the second nitrogen atom of 2,2'-bipyridine and the oxygen of the M=O core. The complexes are stable, neutral, and lipophilic. Complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments are reported for all complexes. The analogous oxotechnetium complexes have been also synthesized at tracer level ((99m)Tc) by mixing the 2,2'-bipyridine and the corresponding thiol with Na(99m)TcO(4) generator eluate using NaBH(4) as reducing agent. Their structure was established by chromatographic comparison with authentic oxotechnetium and oxorhenium complexes using high performance liquid chromatography techniques.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of sterically hindered 3-(5-tetrazolyl)pyridines

Sterically hindered 2,4-disubstituted 3-(5-tetrazolyl)pyridines were efficiently prepared from the corresponding nicotinonitriles using microwave technology.     

Solvent-free synthesis of bisferrocenylimines and their rhodium(I) complexes

The solvent-free reaction of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and diaminoalkanes under solvent-free conditions gave bisferrocenylimines (L) in excellent yields. Cationic rhodium(I) complexes with the formulation [Rh(COD)(L)]ClO₄ were prepared by the reaction of [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ with the bisferrocenylimines in the presence of silver perchlorate. The compounds were characterised by NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis. The X-ray crystal structures of two rhodium(I) complexes are also reported.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and transformations of sterically hindered 3-(5-tetrazolyl)pyridines

Sterically hindered 2,4-disubstituted 3-(5-tetrazolyl)pyridines were synthesized from corresponding nicotinonitriles using microwave technology. 2-Methylnicotinonitriles were converted into the 2-azidomethyl-3-cyanopyridines via 2-hydroxymethyl and 2-chloromethyl derivatives. Intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of an heteroaromatic cyano group to side azido group was carried out to form a novel heterocyclic system containing a (tetrazolo)azaisoindole unit. Condensation of the 2-methylnicotinonitriles and aldehydes gave rise to the corresponding 2-vinyl derivatives, which were then transformed into novel heterocyclic system (5,6-dihydrotetrazolo[5,1-f]-1,6-naphthyridine) by intramolecular N-alkylation reaction of tetrazole ring with olefinic fragment. The 3-(5-tetrazolyl)pyridines obtained were alkylated to give the various N- and C-benzyl derivatives as well as acylated to afford the 3-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridines in good yields. A majority of above-mentioned reactions was carried out under microwave irradiation.     

Preparation of 99Mo/99mTc generator based on alumina 99Mo-molybdate (VI) gel

In this work alumina ⁹⁹Mo-molybdate (VI) gel is evaluated as a column matrix for use in the preparation of small chromatographic column type ^99mTc generator. Alumina molybdate (VI) gel is prepared by dissolving inactive MoO₃ with aluminum foil in 5 M NaOH solution containing ⁹⁹Mo radiotracer. After complete dissolution, 0.5 H₂O₂ was added to the reaction mixture solution and acidified to pH 5.5 with concentrated HNO₃. The formed AlMo precipitate was washed with NaNO₃ solution, dried at 50 °C for 24 h and then packed in the form of a chromatographic column for elution of the generated ^99mTc radionuclide with physiological saline solution (0.9 % NaCl). Greater than 86 % of the generated ^99mTc activity is immediately and reproducibly eluted with passing 10 mL of the saline solution through 2.0 g of alumina ⁹⁹Mo-molybdate column bed at a flow rate of about 1.0 mL/min. The high radiochemical ≥98.6 % TcO₄ ^?, radionuclidic ≥99.90 % ^99mTc and chemical purities of the eluates satisfy the specifications for use in nuclear medicine.