Tuning Tetrazole Photochemistry for Protein Ligation and Molecular Imaging

Photochemistry provides a wide range of alternative reagents that hold potential for use in bimolecular functionalisation of proteins. Here, we report the synthesis and characterisation of metal ion binding chelates derivatised with disubstituted tetrazoles for the photoradiochemical labelling of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The photophysical properties of tetrazoles featuring extended aromatic systems and auxochromic substituents to tune excitation toward longer wavelengths (365 and 395 nm) were studied. Two photoactivatable chelates based on desferrioxamine B (DFO) and the aza-macrocycle NODAGA were functionalised with a tetrazole and developed for protein labelling with ⁸⁹Zr, ⁶⁴Cu and ⁶⁸Ga radionuclides. DFO-tetrazole ( 1 ) was assessed by direct conjugation to formulated trastuzumab and subsequent radiolabelling with ⁸⁹Zr. Radiochemical studies and cellular-based binding assays demonstrated that the radiotracer remained stable in vitro retained high immunoreactivity. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and biodistribution studies were used to measure the tumour specific uptake and pharmacokinetic profile in mice bearing SK-OV-3 xenografts. Experiments demonstrate that tetrazole-based photochemistry is a viable approach for the light-induced synthesis of PET radiotracers.     

A Facile and Versatile Synthesis of Energetic Furazan-Functionalized 5-Nitroimino-1,2,4-Triazoles

An analogue-oriented synthetic route for the formulation of furazan-functionalized 5-nitroimino-1,2,4-triazoles has been explored. The process was found to be straightforward, high yielding, and highly efficient, and scalable. Nine compounds were synthesized and the physicochemical and energetic properties, including density, thermal stability, and sensitivity, were investigated, as well as the energetic performance (e.g., detonation velocities and detonation pressures) as evaluated by using EXPLO5 code. Among the new materials, compounds 4 – 6 and 11 possess high densities, acceptable sensitivities, and good detonation performances, and thereby demonstrate the potential applications as new secondary explosives.