Automated Optimized Synthesis of [18F]FLT Using Non-Basic Phase-Transfer Catalyst with Reduced Precursor Amount

3′-deoxy-3′-[¹⁸F]fluorothymidine ([¹⁸F]FLT) is a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer useful for tumor proliferation assessment for a number of cancers, particularly in the cases of brain, lung, and breast tumors. At present [¹⁸F], FLT is commonly prepared by means of the nucleophilic radiofluorination of 3-N-Boc-5′-O-DMT-3′-O-nosyl thymidine precursor in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst, followed by an acidic hydrolysis. To achieve high radiochemical yield, relatively large amounts of precursor (20–40 mg) are commonly used, leading to difficulties during purification steps, especially if a solid-phase extraction (SPE) approach is attempted. The present study describes an efficient method for [¹⁸F]FLT synthesis, employing tetrabutyl ammonium tosylate as a non-basic phase-transfer catalyst, with a greatly reduced amount of precursor employed. With a reduction of the precursor amount contributing to lower amounts of synthesis by-products in the reaction mixture, an SPE purification procedure using only two commercially available cartridges—OASIS HLB 6cc and Sep-Pak Alumina N Plus Light—has been developed for use on the GE TRACERlab FX N Pro synthesis module. [¹⁸F]FLT was obtained in radiochemical yield of 16 ± 2% (decay-corrected) and radiochemical purity >99% with synthesis time not exceeding 55 min. The product was formulated in 16 mL of normal saline with 5% ethanol (v/v). The amounts of chemical impurities and residual solvents were within the limits established by European Pharmacopoeia. The procedure described compares favorably with previously reported methods due to simplified automation, cheaper and more accessible consumables, and a significant reduction in the consumption of an expensive precursor.     

Numerical accuracy of real inversion formulas for the Laplace transform

In this article, we investigate and compare a number of real inversion formulas for the Laplace transform. The focus is on the accuracy and applicability of the formulas for numerical inversion. In this contribution, we study the performance of the formulas for measures concentrated on a positive half-line to continue with measures on an arbitrary half-line. As our trial measure concentrated on a positive half-line, we take the broad Gamma probability distribution family.     

Photochemistry of HI on argon and water nanoparticles: hydronium radical generation in HI·(H2O)n

Photochemistry of HI molecules on large Ar(n) and (H(2)O)(n), n ～ 100-500, clusters was investigated after excitation with 243 nm and 193 nm laser radiation. The measured H-fragment kinetic energy distributions pointed to a completely different photodissociation mechanism of HI on water than on argon clusters. Distinct features corresponding to the fragment caging (slow fragments) and direct exit (fast fragments) were observed in the spectra from HI photodissociation on Ar(n) clusters. On the other hand, the fast fragments were entirely missing in the spectrum from HI·(H(2)O)(n) and the slow-fragment part of the spectrum had a different shape from HI·Ar(n). The HI·(H(2)O)(n) spectrum was interpreted in terms of the acidic dissociation of HI on (H(2)O)(n) in the ground state, and hydronium radical H(3)O formation following the UV excitation of the ionically dissociated species into states of a charge-transfer-to-solvent character. The H(3)O generation was proved by experiments with deuterated species DI and D(2)O. The experiment was complemented by ab initio calculations of structures and absorption spectra for small HI·(H(2)O)(n) clusters, n = 0-5, supporting the proposed model.     

Proton-acceptor properties of azahomofullerene and fullerenoaziridine containing a cyanuric acid fragment

¹³C and ¹H NMR and UV spectral studies on 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(azahomo[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([5,6]-open isomer) and 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(aziridino[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([6,6]-closed isomer), as well as quantum-chemical calculations, showed that only the latter possesses weakly basic properties.     

Surface active macromolecular and supramolecular complexes: design and catalysis

A number of macromolecular and supramolecular catalysts which combine the functions of transition metal complex, phase transfer agent with molecular recognition ability has been designed. The complexes of rhodium, palladium, iron and copper showed the remarkable activity in hydroformylation, Wacker‐type oxidation of various olefins, oxidation of alkanes and hydroxylation of aromatics.     

System peaks in capillary zone electrophoresis of anions with negative voltage polarity and counter-electroosmotic flow

The system peaks that often appear on electropherograms in anion separation by CE with indirect spectrophotometric detection, negative voltage polarity and cathodic EOF are studied. The system peaks are shown to correspond to the zones with the changed concentration of the BGE constituents; they appear while the zone of each analyte anion passes through the outlet end of the capillary and are transported to the detector by EOF. An equation is suggested for predicting migration times of the system peaks with an error of 1%. The ratios of the system peak area to the analyte peak area are found to amount to 20%. It is shown that it is possible to avoid overlapping of the system peaks and analyte peaks by controlling the EOF velocity owing to hydrodynamic pressure. Using the mathematical simulation of CE shows that the system peaks and baseline shift can result from changing the transference numbers of the BGE ions and analyte ions at the capillary edge. The cases when the system peak may be incorrectly identified as the peak of analyte ion are considered. In order to avoid such errors, some practical recommendations are given.     

Proton transfer and isotope‐induced reaction in aniline cluster ions

The proton transfer (PT) and other intraclusters reactions occurring after electron ionization of aniline clusters (PhNH₂)_N are investigated by the time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The mass spectra are recorded for different expansion conditions leading to the generation of different cluster sizes. Several fragment ions are shown to originate from intracluster reactions, namely, [Ph]⁺, [PhNH₃]⁺ and [Ph–N–Ph]⁺. Reaction schemes are proposed for these ions starting with the PT process. The mass region beyond the monomer mass is dominated by cluster ions (PhNH₂)_n⁺ accompanied by satellites with ±H and +2H. In experiments with deuterated species, new fragment ions are identified. The aniline isotopomer d₅‐PhNH₂ yields the fragment ions (PhNH₂)_n?(N–Ph–NH₂)⁺. Analogical series is observed in experiments with d₇‐PhND₂, and additional fragments occur corresponding to (PhND₂)_n?(D₂N–ND–Ph–ND–ND₂)⁺ ions. The possible reaction pathways to these ions and the unusual isotope effects are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inorganic nanoparticles as carriers of nucleic acids into cells

The transfer of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) into living cells, that is, transfection, is a major technique in current biochemistry and molecular biology. This process permits the selective introduction of genetic material for protein synthesis as well as the selective inhibition of protein synthesis (antisense or gene silencing). As nucleic acids alone are not able to penetrate the cell wall, efficient carriers are needed. Besides viral, polymeric, and liposomal agents, inorganic nanoparticles are especially suitable for this purpose because they can be prepared and surface-functionalized in many different ways. Herein, the current state of the art is discussed from a chemical viewpoint. Advantages and disadvantages of the available methods are compared.     

New carbacylamidophosphates (CAPh) and CAPh-containing coordination compounds: structural peculiarities

Structural Chemistry - The new carbacylamidophosphate derivative HL1 (1) with general formula Cl3CC(O)N(H)P(O)(CH2C5H4N)2 named...     

Expected and unforeseen reactions of 2,3,3-trimethyl-1λ6-isothiazolidine-1,1,4-trione and their spiro derivative

Herein, we present a full account of our studies with respect to the reactivity of insufficiently explored 1λ⁶-isothiazolidine-1,1,4-triones (so-called β-keto-γ-sultams). This heterocyclic system possesses two reaction centers: the EWG-activated methylene group and the carbonyl moiety which were investigated in the course of present study. 2,3,3-Trimethyl-1λ⁶-isothiazolidine-1,1,4-trione and 4-methyl-5λ⁶-thia-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane-5,5,7-trione were chosen as representatives of the given class of substances. The former is a classical spatially uncomplicated model substance, the latter bearing a spiranic cyclopropane substituent is interesting in terms of evaluation of strain cycle effects. Indeed, the data obtained convey information about the impact of the highly strained substituent on the reaction centers of the ketosultam core. Thus, in addition to less stability of the strained spiranic ketosultam, the reactivity of its carbonyl group is suppressed whereas the activity of the methylene group is enhanced being compared with the nonspiranic substrate. Apart from the difference in the chemical character of the given β-keto-γ-sultams we faced unprecedented products (1,1-dioxo-5-[2-(triphenylphosphonio)acetyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-1λ⁶-isothiazol-4-olates) formed during the course of the reaction with the Wittig reagent triphenylcarbethoxymethylenephosphorane.