Synthesis of N‐(2‐chloro‐5‐methylthiophenyl)‐ N′‐(3‐methyl‐thiophenyl)‐ N′‐[3H3]methylguanidine, {[3H3]CNS‐5161}

The preparation of the title compound, [³H₃]CNS‐5161, was accomplished in three steps starting with the production of [³H₃]iodomethane (CT₃I). The intermediate N‐[³H₃]methyl‐3‐(thiomethylphenyl)cyanamide was prepared in 77% yield by the addition of CT₃I to 3‐(thiomethylphenyl)cyanamide, previously treated with sodium hydride. Reaction of this tritiated intermediate with 2‐chloro‐5‐thiomethylaniline hydrochloride formed the guanidine compound [³H₃]CNS‐5161. Purification by HPLC gave the desired labeled product in an overall yield of 9% with >96% radiochemical purity and a final specific activity of 66 Ci mmol^?1. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.