Selective fluorination of m-tyrosine by OF2

Fluorine-18 labeled aromatic amino acids are routinely used as tracers in positron emission tomography (PET) to study in vivo metabolic processes. The most versatile method for the production of such radiotracers is electrophilic fluorination of the aromatic amino acid with [¹⁸F]F₂, which is most commonly produced by the gas-phase nuclear reaction ¹⁸O(p, n)¹⁸F. Although [¹⁸F]F₂ is the major product, considerable amounts of [¹⁸F]OF₂ (up to 20%) are also produced. Electrophilic fluorination reactions of l-phenylalanine, 3-nitro-l-tyrosine, 4-nitro-dl-phenylalanine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (l-DOPA), 3-O-methyl-l-DOPA, 3,4-dimethoxy-l-phenylalanine, p-tyrosine and o-tyrosine in H₂O and of m-tyrosine in anhydrous HF (aHF), CF₃SO₃H, CF₃COOH, CH₃COOH, HCOOH and H₂O using OF₂ were investigated. Although F₂ is an efficient fluorinating agent in aHF, electrophilic fluorination reactions using OF₂ were shown to be most efficient in less acidic media such as H₂O. In addition, and contrary to reports that OF₂ and F₂ have similar reactivities, m-tyrosine was the only aromatic system studied that was fluorinated by OF₂ and this was optimum in H₂O for the fluorinated m-tyrosine isomers (total yield, 4.35 ± 0.04%). The presence of [¹⁸F]OF₂ byproduct has no significant impact on the fluorination of aromatic amino acids investigated in this study and the subsequent production of their corresponding ¹⁸F-labeled radiotracers for patient use.     

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution by [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]fluoride at substituted 2-nitropyridines

For the radiofluorination of benzenes and benzene derivatives, the electrophilic reaction with [¹⁸F]F₂ is a very common route. Yet, aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) by n.c.a [¹⁸F]fluoride, which can be produced efficiently in high amounts, has been considered to be very desirable. However, to facilitate ¹⁸F-labelling via S_NAr at an electron rich aromatic system, an appropriate leaving group must be present together with an auxiliary group in ortho or para position to the leaving group. An interesting alternative for the auxiliary group is the heteroatom of a heteroaromatic system, for which pyridine is a leading example. Dolci et al. (J Label Compd Radiopharm 42:975–985, 1999) have evaluated the scope of the nucleophilic aromatic fluorination of 2-substituted pyridine rings using the activated K [¹⁸F]F-K₂₂₂ complex. As methyl and methoxy groups are known to enhance the electron density of an aromatic system by the +I and the +M effect, respectively, S_NAr is unlikely to occur. Until now, the effect of these substituents has not been studied towards the ¹⁸F-radiofluorination of substituted 2-nitropyridines by use of [¹⁸F]fluoride. Therefore, we have investigated the effect of methoxy and methyl groups in 2-nitropyridines. The results showed that 3-methoxy-2-nitropyridine and 3-methyl-2-nitropyridine can efficiently be substituted by [¹⁸F]fluoride with high RCY’s (70–89%) in short reaction times (1–30 min) at a reaction temperature of 140 °C. Moreover, 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-[¹⁸F]fluoropyridine was obtained from the corresponding nitro-precursor in a high yield of 81 ± 1% after 30 min at 140 °C. In case of 2-nitropyridines data indicates the effect of methyl and methoxy groups on S_NAr to be of minor importance.     

Electrochemical radiofluorination: Labeling of benzene with [18F]fluoride by nucleophilic substitution

¹⁸F-labeling of aromatic compounds normally is achieved by electrophilic substitution. In that case [¹⁸F]fluoride cannot be applied although it is produced very efficiently at medical cyclotrons. By the use of electrochemical methods, however, benzene can be oxidized and thus, the electron density is reduced in a way that nucleophilic attack of [¹⁸F]fluoride occurs. For the first time benzene was shown to be labeled with [¹⁸F]fluoride after being electrochemically oxidized in a 2 ml electrolysis cell with 0.033M Et₃N^.3HF and 0.066M Et₃N^.HCl in CH₃CN and benzene in various concentrations. After 50 Coulombs (60-90 min) maximum of labeling was reached. With the highest concentration of aromatic compound (1.0M) the radiochemical yields were 16±9% with specific activities up to 27 GBq/mmol.     

Mechanism of electrophilic fluorination of aromatic compounds with NF-reagents

Kinetic isotope effects H/D in electrophilic fluorination of aromatic compounds with NF-reagents were investigated. The small values of k _H/k _D (0.86–1.00) are in agreement with the polar reaction mechanism where the Wheland complex decomposition is not the limiting stage. The fluorination of 1,3,5-trideuterobenzene was established by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy to occur with a 1,2-migration of a hydrogen (deuterium) atom. The analysis of Brown-Stock relationship demonstrated that the activity of NF-reagents exceeded that of many known electrophilic systems including halogenation, but it was essentially less than the activity of elemental fluorine.     

A General Copper‐Mediated Nucleophilic 18F Fluorination of Arenes

Molecules labeled with fluorine‐18 are used as radiotracers for positron emission tomography. An important challenge is the labeling of arenes not amenable to aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) with [¹⁸F]F^?. In the ideal case, the ¹⁸F fluorination of these substrates would be performed through reaction of [¹⁸F]KF with shelf‐stable readily available precursors using a broadly applicable method suitable for automation. Herein, we describe the realization of these requirements with the production of ¹⁸F arenes from pinacol‐derived aryl boronic esters (arylBPin) upon treatment with [¹⁸F]KF/K₂₂₂ and [Cu(OTf)₂(py)₄] (OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate, py=pyridine). This method tolerates electron‐poor and electron‐rich arenes and various functional groups, and allows access to 6‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐L ‐DOPA, 6‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐m‐tyrosine, and the translocator protein (TSPO) PET ligand [¹⁸F]DAA1106.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of α‐Cumyl Bromodifluoromethanesulfenate: Application to the Radiosynthesis of [18F]ArylSCF3

A highly reactive electrophilic bromodifluoromethylthiolating reagent, α‐cumyl bromodifluoro‐methanesulfenate 1 , was prepared to allow for direct bromodifluoromethylthiolation of aryl boron reagents. This coupling reaction takes place under copper catalysis, and affords a large range of bromodifluoromethylthiolated arenes. These compounds are amenable to various transformations including halogen exchange with [¹⁸F]KF/K₂₂₂ , a process giving access to [¹⁸F]arylSCF₃ in two steps from the corresponding aryl boronic pinacol esters.     

No carrier-added nucleophilic aromatic radiofluorination using solid phase supported arenediazonium sulfonates and 1-(aryldiazenyl)piperazines

This Letter concerns the investigation of a solid phase based method for no carrier-added nucleophilic [¹⁸F]fluorination of aromatic compounds via de-diazofluorination. Initial screening of reaction conditions was conducted using soluble analogues, that is, substituted benzenediazonium tosylates and 1-(phenyldiazenyl)piperazines in solution. This was followed by translation of the principle conditions to solid phase bound analogues. A variety of substituted aryldiazonium cations were immobilised using a sulfonate functionalised ion exchange resin and labelled with [¹⁸F]fluoride ion by Balz–Schiemann like thermal decomposition in the presence of no carrier-added [¹⁸F]fluoride ion. Likewise, a chloromethyl-bearing (Merrifield-) resin was modified using piperazine to provide the means for covalent immobilisation of diazonium ions. The resin bound 1-(aryldiazenyl)piperazines obtained were used as substrates for a Wallach reaction with hydrogen [¹⁸F]fluoride.     

Full automatic synthesis of [<Superscript>18</Superscript>F]THK-5351 for tau protein PET imaging in Alzheimer’s disease patients: 1 year experience

[¹⁸F]THK-5351, a new candidate for tau protein imaging, is based on an aryl quinoline structure. We report the full automatic synthesis using disposable cassettes under pH controlled [¹⁸F]fluorination. After the trapping of 88.5 ± 21.9 GBq of [¹⁸F]fluoride, it was eluted with potassium methansulfonate (KOMs) (pH 7.8)/K₂₂₂. After drying, 3 mg of the precursor was added to 1 mL DMSO and subjected to [¹⁸F]fluorination at 110 °C for 10 min. After hydrolysis, the final product was purified by HPLC. The overall radiochemical yield was 31.9 ± 11.1% (n = 22), satisfying all quality control criteria. It was stable for up to 6 h with high radiochemical purity as 99.8 ± 0.5%.     

Methods for the synthesis of fluorine-18-labeled aromatic amino acids,radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET)

Potential of electrophilic and nucleophilic methods of radiofluorination in the synthesis of fluorine-18-labeled fluorinated amino acid analogs, radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET), is considered. The synthesis of 6-L-[¹⁸F]FDOPA ((S)-2-amino-3-(6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid) was used as an example to discuss new elaborations in this field directed on both the improvement of already existing methods and the development of fundamentally new approaches to the introduction of a fluorine-18 label into the nonactivated aromatic ring of amino acids using nucleophilic methods.     

Sulfonyl Fluoride‐Based Prosthetic Compounds as Potential 18F Labelling Agents

Nucleophilic incorporation of [¹⁸F]F^? under aqueous conditions holds several advantages in radiopharmaceutical development, especially with the advent of complex biological pharmacophores. Sulfonyl fluorides can be prepared in water at room temperature, yet they have not been assayed as a potential means to ¹⁸F‐labelled biomarkers for PET chemistry. We developed a general route to prepare bifunctional 4‐formyl‐, 3‐formyl‐, 4‐maleimido‐ and 4‐oxylalkynl‐arylsulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluorides from their sulfonyl chloride analogues in 1:1 mixtures of acetonitrile, THF, or tBuOH and Cs[¹⁸F]F/Cs₂CO_3(aq.) in a reaction time of 15 min at room temperature. With the exception of 4‐N‐maleimide‐benzenesulfonyl fluoride ( 3 ), pyridine could be used to simplify radiotracer purification by selectively degrading the precursor without significantly affecting observed yields. The addition of pyridine at the start of [¹⁸F]fluorination (1:1:0.8 tBuOH/Cs₂CO_3(aq.)/pyridine) did not negatively affect yields of 3‐formyl‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzenesulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluoride ( 2 ) and dramatically improved the yields of 4‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)benzenesulfonyl [¹⁸F]fluoride ( 4 ). The N‐arylsulfonyl‐4‐dimethylaminopyridinium derivative of 4 ( 14 ) can be prepared and incorporates ¹⁸F efficiently in solutions of 100 % aqueous Cs₂CO₃ (10 mg mL^?1). As proof‐of‐principle, [¹⁸F] 2 was synthesised in a preparative fashion [88(±8) % decay corrected (n=6) from start‐of‐synthesis] and used to radioactively label an oxyamino‐modified bombesin(6–14) analogue [35(±6) % decay corrected (n=4) from start‐of‐synthesis]. Total preparation time was 105–109 min from start‐of‐synthesis. Although the ¹⁸F‐peptide exhibited evidence of proteolytic defluorination and modification, our study is the first step in developing an aqueous, room temperature ¹⁸F labelling strategy.     

Ring-opening fluorination of bicyclic azaarenes

We have discovered a ring-opening fluorination of bicyclic azaarenes. Upon treatment of bicyclic azaarenes such as pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines with electrophilic fluorinating agents, fluorination of the aromatic ring is followed by a ring-opening reaction. Although this overall transformation can be classified as an electrophilic fluorination of an aromatic ring, it is a novel type of fluorination that results in construction of tertiary carbon–fluorine bonds. The present protocol can be applied to a range of bicyclic azaarenes, tolerating azines and a variety of functional groups. Additionally, mechanistic studies and enantioselective fluorination have been examined.

A ring-opening fluorination of bicyclic azaarenes was developed. Although this overall transformation can be classified as an electrophilic fluorination of aromatics, it is a novel type of fluorination that results in construction of tert-C–F bonds.     

[F]Fluoromethyl iodide ([F]FCH2I): preparation and reactions with phenol, thiophenol, amide and amine functional groups

In this study, we report the synthesis and reactivity of [¹⁸F]fluoromethyl iodide ([¹⁸F]FCH₂I) with various nucleophilic substrates and the stabilities of [¹⁸F]fluoromethylated compounds. [¹⁸F]FCH₂I was prepared by reacting diiodomethane (CH₂I₂) with [¹⁸F]KF, and purified by distillation in radiochemical yields of 14-31% (n = 25). [¹⁸F]FCH₂I was stable in organic solvents commonly used for labeling and aqueous solution with pH 1-7, but was unstable in basic solutions. [¹⁸F]FCH₂I displayed a high reactivity with various nucleophilic substrates such as phenol, thiophenol, amide and amine. The [¹⁸F]fluoromethylated compounds synthesized by the reactions of phenol, thiophenol and tertiary amine with [¹⁸F]FCH₂I were stable for purification, formulation and storage. In contrast, the [¹⁸F]fluoromethylated compounds synthesized by the reactions of primary or secondary amines, and amide with [¹⁸F]FCH₂I were too unstable to be detected or purified from the reaction mixtures. Defluorination of these [¹⁸F]fluoromethyl compounds was a main decomposition route.     

Columnar Stacking of Partially Fluorinated [4]Helicenes: C−H⋅⋅⋅F Interactions Change the Stacking Orientation

The partial fluorination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons often produces a layered crystal packing, where fluorinated aromatic surfaces are stacked over nonfluorinated aromatic surfaces. Herein, we report the synthesis and crystal packing of partially fluorinated [4]helicenes with steric congestion resulting from H and F atoms in the fjord region. F₆‐[4]Helicene forms head‐to‐tail columnar stacks consisting of an alternate arrangement of perfluorinated and nonfluorinated naphthalene moieties. With decreasing fluorine content, aromatic stacking switched from arene?fluoroarene (Ar^H?Ar^F) hetero‐stacking to Ar^H?Ar^H/Ar^F?Ar^F homo‐stacking with the help of intermolecular C?H???F contacts in the fjord region. As a result, head‐to‐head columnar stacks appear. Therefore, the conventional Ar^H?Ar^F stacking motif is not always applicable to F_n‐[4]helicenes with twisted π‐surfaces.     

18F‐Labeling of Aryl‐SCF3, ‐OCF3 and ‐OCHF2 with [18F]Fluoride

We report that halogenophilic silver(I) triflate permits halogen exchange (halex) nucleophilic ¹⁸F‐fluorination of aryl‐OCHFCl, ‐OCF₂Br and ‐SCF₂Br precursors under mild conditions. This Ag^I‐mediated process allows for the first time access to a range of ¹⁸F‐labeled aryl‐OCHF₂, ‐OCF₃ and ‐SCF₃ derivatives, inclusive of [¹⁸F]riluzole. The ¹⁸F‐labeling of these medicinally important motifs expands the radiochemical space available for PET applications.     

The Fluorination of C−H Bonds: Developments and Perspectives

This Review summarizes advances in fluorination by C(sp²)?H and C(sp³)?H activation. Transition‐metal‐catalyzed approaches championed by palladium have allowed the installation of a fluorine substituent at C(sp²) and C(sp³) sites, exploiting the reactivity of high‐oxidation‐state transition‐metal fluoride complexes combined with the use of directing groups (some transient) to control site and stereoselectivity. The large majority of known methods employ electrophilic fluorination reagents, but methods combining a nucleophilic fluoride source with an oxidant have appeared. External ligands have proven to be effective for C(sp³)?H fluorination directed by weakly coordinating auxiliaries, thereby enabling control over reactivity. Methods relying on the formation of radical intermediates are complementary to transition‐metal‐catalyzed processes as they allow for undirected C(sp³)?H fluorination. To date, radical C?H fluorinations mainly employ electrophilic N?F fluorination reagents but a unique Mn^III‐catalyzed oxidative C?H fluorination using fluoride has been developed. Overall, the field of late‐stage nucleophilic C?H fluorination has progressed much more slowly, a state of play explaining why C?H ¹⁸F‐fluorination is still in its infancy.     

Fluorination with xenon difluoride. Reaction with halogenated hydrocarbons

Filler and coworkers [1-5] have demonstrated the utility of xenon difluoride as a selective fluorinating agent for aromatic hydrocarbons in the liquid phase, while Mackenzie and coworker [6] have fluorinated aromatic compounds in the vapour phase. We have developed a fluorination reaction of phenyl substituted olefins resulting in high yields of vicinal difluorides [7,8] and trifluoroacetates, depending on the catalyst. In our continued interest in the use of xenon difluoride as a mild fluorinating agent for fluorination of organic compounds, we have tries to fluorinate some heterocyclic ring systems, e.g. imidazo-(1,2-b)-pyridazine, under conditions similar of those used for fluorination of phenyl substituted olefins [7,8,9] (room temperature, methylene chloride as solvent, hydrogen fluoride as catalyst). It is well known that heteroaromatic compounds are less reactive toward electrophilic substitution reactions then aromatic hydrocarbon systems. However, it has been shown that bromination of imidazo-(1,2-b) -pyridazine results in 3-bromo products [10], while in chlorination with phosphorus pentachloride [11], the entering order of chlorine atoms is at position 3 > 2, 7 > 8 > 6 (Radical reactions).     

Copper‐Mediated Aromatic Radiofluorination Revisited: Efficient Production of PET Tracers on a Preparative Scale

Two novel methods for copper‐mediated aromatic nucleophilic radiofluorination were recently reported. Evaluation of these methods reveals that, although both are efficient in small‐scale experiments, they are inoperative for the production of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. Since high base content turned out to be responsible for low radiochemical conversions, a “low base” protocol has been developed which affords ¹⁸F‐labeled arenes from diaryliodonium salts and aryl pinacol boronates in reasonable yields. Furthermore, implementation of our “minimalist” approach to the copper‐mediated [¹⁸F]‐fluorination of (mesityl)(aryl)iodonium salts allows the preparation of ¹⁸F‐labeled arenes in excellent RCCs. The novel radiofluorination method circumvents time‐consuming azeotropic drying and avoids the utilization of base and other additives, such as cryptands. Furthermore, this procedure enables the production of clinically relevant PET tracers; [¹⁸F]FDA, 4‐[¹⁸F]FPhe, and [¹⁸F]DAA1106 are obtained in good isolated radiochemical yields. Additionally, [¹⁸F]DAA1106 has been evaluated in a rat stroke model and demonstrates excellent potential for visualization of translocator protein 18 kDa overexpression associated with neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke.     

Ultrafast Click Chemistry with Fluorosydnones

We report the synthesis and reactivity of 4‐fluorosydnones, a unique class of mesoionic dipoles displaying exquisite reactivity towards both copper‐catalyzed and strain‐promoted cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. Synthetic access to these new mesoionic compounds was granted by electrophilic fluorination of σ‐sydnone Pd^II precursors in the presence of Selectfluor. Their reactions with terminal and cyclic alkynes were found to proceed very rapidly and selectively, affording 5‐fluoro‐1,4‐pyrazoles with bimolecular rate constants up to 10⁴ m ^?1 s^?1, surpassing those documented in the literature with cycloalkynes. Kinetic studies were carried out to unravel the mechanism of the reaction, and the value of 4‐fluorosydnones was further highlighted by successful radiolabeling with [¹⁸F]Selectfluor.     

Practical synthesis of bis-substituted tetrazines with two pendant 2-pyrrolyl or 2-thienyl groups, precursors of new conjugated polymers

Novel linear oligoheterocycles based on substituted tetrazines are described. The desired compounds have been accomplished by a variation of the original Pinner [Ann. Chem., 297 (1897) 221] synthesis in which the aromatic nitrile reacted with hydrazine in an aqueous solution to give bis(pyrrolyl)tetrazines or bis(phenyl)tetrazines. The bis(phenyl)tetrazines reacted with 3,4-ethylenedioxy-2-(trimethyltin)thiophene or 2-(trimethyltin)thiophene in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ or Pd(PPh₃)₄ as catalyst to give the desired compounds. Quantum-chemical calculations were performed to assess the usefulness of the synthesized compounds for electropolymerization. Studies have indicated qualitative difference between bis-pyrrole tetrazine and bis-phenyl tetrazines regarding the electronic density rearrangement due to the loss of an electron.     

Site-Selective Late-Stage Aromatic [18F]Fluorination via Aryl Sulfonium Salts

Site-selective functionalization of C−H bonds in small complex molecules is a long-standing challenge in organic chemistry. Herein, we report a broadly applicable and site-selective aromatic C−H dibenzothiophenylation reaction. The conceptual advantage of this transformation is further demonstrated through the two-step C−H [¹⁸F]fluorination of a series of marketed small-molecule drugs.