Radiosynthesis of [N‐methyl‐11C]methylene blue

In this paper we present the radiochemical synthesis of the novel compound [N‐methyl‐¹¹C]methylene blue. The synthesis of [N‐methyl‐¹¹C]methylene blue was accomplished by means of ¹¹C‐methylation of commercially available Azure B using [¹¹C]methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate ([¹¹C]methyl triflate). Following purification [N‐methyl‐¹¹C]methylene blue was obtained with a radiochemical purity greater than 97% in a 4–6% decay corrected radiochemical yield. The synthesis was completed in an average of 35 min following the end of bombardment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiosynthesis of O‐[11C]methyl‐L‐tyrosine and O‐[18F]Fluoromethyl‐L‐tyrosine as potential PET tracers for imaging amino acid transport

Two positron‐emitting analogues of tyrosine, O‐[¹¹C]methyl‐L ‐tyrosine and O‐[¹⁸F]fluoromethyl‐L ‐tyrosine were prepared as new tumor imaging agents. The alkylating agent, [¹¹C]methyl triflate or [¹⁸F]fluoromethyl triflate, was simply bubbled through a dimethylsulfoxide solution of L ‐tyrosine disodium salt at room temperature. After subsequent HPLC purification the labeled L ‐tyrosine analogues were obtained in decay‐corrected radiochemical yields of over 50%, based on their corresponding labeling agent, with radiochemical purities always higher than 98%. The quite straightforward preparation, together with the high radiochemical yields achieved, make both these syntheses suitable for routine production. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A two‐step one‐pot radiosynthesis of the potent dopamine D2/D3 agonist PET radioligand [11C]MNPA

(R)‐(?)‐2‐[¹¹C]Methoxy‐N‐n‐propylnorapomorphine ([¹¹C]MNPA ([¹¹C]2)) is an agonist radioligand of interest for imaging D₂/D₃ receptors in vivo. Here we sought to develop an improved radiosynthesis of this radioligand. Reference 2 was synthesized in nine steps with an overall yield of about 5%, starting from codeine. Trimethylsilyldiazomethane proved to be a practical improvement in comparison to diazomethane in the penultimate methylation step. A protected precursor for radiolabeling ((R)‐(?)‐2‐hydroxy‐10,11‐acetonide‐N‐n‐propylnoraporphine, 4) was prepared from (R)‐(?)‐2‐hydroxy‐N‐n‐propylnorapomorphine (1) in 30% yield. [¹¹C]2 was prepared from 4 via a two‐step one‐pot radiosynthesis. The first step, methylation of 4 with [¹¹C]methyl triflate, occurred in quantitative radiochemical yield. The second step, deprotection of the catechol moiety with HCl and heat, yielded 60–90% of [¹¹C]2 giving an overall incorporation yield from [¹¹C]methyl triflate of 60–90%. In a typical run more than 1 GBq of [¹¹C]2, was produced from carbon‐11 generated from a 10‐min proton irradiation (16 MeV; 35 µA) of nitrogen–hydrogen target gas. The radiochemical purity of [¹¹C]2 was > 99% and specific radioactivity at the time of injection was 901±342 GBq/µmol (n=10). The total synthesis time was 35–38 min from the end of radionuclide production. The identity of [¹¹C]2 was confirmed by comparing its LC‐MS/MS spectrum with those of reference 2 and (R)‐(?)‐10‐methoxy‐2,11‐dihydroxy‐N‐n‐propylnoraporphine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A combined loop‐SPE method for the automated preparation of [11C]doxepin

A simple and versatile loop‐solid phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the automated preparation of [¹¹C]doxepin, a histamine H₁ receptor antagonist, from [¹¹C]methyl triflate ([¹¹C]MeOTf). This labeling agent was passed through a Teflon or Tefzel loop coated internally with a film of the precursor solution. The reaction products were then flushed from the loop to a short SPE column, where they were concentrated and then injected onto a semi‐preparative HPLC column simply by switching an injection valve. By applying this combined loop‐SPE technique the whole procedure turned out to be easily automated. The formation of [¹¹C]methylated doxepin ([¹¹C]methyldoxepin) was observed and the ratio of doxepin to methyldoxepin was found to be clearly correlated with the mass ratio of nordoxepin to MeOTf. This observation highlights the importance of [¹¹C]MeOTf specific activity in the [¹¹C]methylation of secondary amines. Using this method, [¹¹C]Doxepin was prepared in over 40% radiochemical yield from high specific activity [¹¹C]MeOTf. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of (E)‐2,3′,4,5′‐tetramethoxy[2‐11C]stilbene

In this paper, we describe the radiosynthesis of the compound (E)‐2,3′,4,5′‐tetramethoxy[2‐¹¹C]stilbene, a potential, universal tumour positron emission tomography imaging agent. The production of (E)‐2,3′,4,5′‐tetramethoxy[2‐¹¹C]stilbene was carried out via ¹¹C‐methylation of (E)‐2‐(hydroxy)‐3′,4,5′‐trimethoxystilbene by using [¹¹C]methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate ([¹¹C]methyl triflate). (E)‐2,3′,4,5′‐tetramethoxy[2‐¹¹C]stilbene was obtained with a radiochemical purity greater than 95% in a 20 ± 2% decay‐corrected radiochemical yield, based upon [¹¹C]carbon dioxide. Synthesis, purification and formulation were completed on an average of 30 min following the end of bombardment (EOB). The specific radioactivity obtained was 1.9 ± 0.6 GBq/µmol at EOB. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [O‐methyl‐11C] 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N‐(4‐methylbenzyl)‐N‐(1‐methyl‐ piperidin‐4‐yl)acetamide as an imaging probe for 5‐HT2A receptors

2‐(4‐Methoxyphenyl)‐N‐(4‐methylbenzyl)‐N‐(1‐methylpiperidin‐4‐yl)acetamide (AC90179, 4 ), a highly potent and selective competitive 5‐HT_2A antagonist, was labeled by [¹¹C]‐methylation of the corresponding desmethyl analogue 5 with [¹¹C]methyl triflate. The precursor molecule 5 for radiolabeling was synthesized from p‐tolylmethylamine in three steps with 46% overall yield. [¹¹C]AC90179 was synthesized in 30 min (30 ± 5% yield, EOS) with a specific activity of 4500 ± 500 Ci/mmol and >99% chemical and radiochemical purities. Positron emission tomography studies in anesthetized baboon revealed that [¹¹C] 4 Penetrates the blood–brain barrier (BBB) with a rapid influx and efflux of the tracer in all brain regions. Due to lack of tracer retention or specific binding, [¹¹C] 4 cannot be used as PET ligand for imaging 5‐HT_2A receptors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of [11C]Ro‐647312: a novel NR1/2B subtype selective NMDA receptor radioligand

[2‐(3,4‐Dihydro‐1H‐isoquinolin‐2‐yl)‐pyridin‐4‐yl]‐dimethylamine, Ro‐647312 ( 1 ) represents a new novel class of NR1/2B subtype selective NMDA ligand. Ro‐647312 has been radiolabelled with carbon‐11 using [¹¹C]methyl triflate from the nor‐methyl compound 2 . The reaction was performed in acetone as solvent using aqueous NaOH as base. Following HPLC purification [¹¹C]Ro‐647312 ([¹¹C]‐ 1 ) was obtained in 6.9–9.2% (n = 3) radiochemical yield decay‐corrected based on starting [¹¹C]CO₂, with specific radioactivity measured at the end of the radiosynthesis ranging from 1.0 to 3.5 Ci/µmol (37–129 GBq/µmol). Radiochemical and chemical purities were assessed as >99 and >95%, respectively. Following i.v. injection of [¹¹C]‐ 1 in rat, the distribution of radioactivity was homogeneous in all brain structures and did not correlate with the known distribution of NR2B subunits. The radioactivity observed in plasma was also higher than any brain structure throughout the time course of the experiment. [¹¹C]‐ 1 does not possess the required properties for imaging NMDA receptors using positron emission tomography. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of [O‐methyl‐11C]‐4‐(1,3‐dimethoxy‐2‐propylamino)‐2,7‐dimethyl‐8‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)[1,5‐a]pyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazine ([11C]DMP696): a potential PET ligand for CRF1 receptors

Synthesis of [O‐methyl‐¹¹C]‐4‐(1,3‐dimethoxy‐2‐propylamino)‐2,7‐dimethyl‐8‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)[1,5‐a]pyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazine ([¹¹C]DMP696), a highly selective CRF₁ antagonist has been achieved. The total time required for the synthesis of [¹¹C]DMP696 is 30 min from EOB using [¹¹C]methyl triflate in THF, with a 16% yield (EOS) and >99% chemical and radiochemical purities along with a specific activity of >2000 Ci/mmol (EOS). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of 1‐(2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)‐[Methyl‐11C]thymine ([11C]FMAU) via a Stille cross‐coupling reaction with [11C]methyl iodide

1‐(2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)‐[methyl‐¹¹C]thymine ([¹¹C]FMAU) [¹¹C]‐ 1 was synthesised via a palladium‐mediated Stille coupling reaction of 1‐(2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐β‐D‐arabinofuranosyl)‐5‐(trimethylstannyl)uracil 2 with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in a one‐pot procedure. The reaction conditions were optimized by screening various catalysts and solvents, and by altering concentrations and reaction temperatures. The highest yield was obtained using Pd₂(dba)₃ and P(o‐tolyl)₃ in DMF at 130°C for 5 min. Under these conditions the title compound [¹¹C]‐ 1 was obtained in 28±5% decay‐corrected radiochemical yield calculated from [¹¹C]methyl iodide (number of experiments=7). The radiochemical purity was >99% and the specific radioactivity was 0.1 GBq/μmol at 25 min after end of bombardment. In a typical experiment 700–800 MBq of [¹¹C]FMAU [¹¹C]‐ 1 was obtained starting from 6–7 GBq of [¹¹C]methyl iodide. A mixed ¹¹C/¹³C synthesis to yield [¹¹C]‐ 1 /(¹³C)‐ 1 followed by ¹³C‐NMR analysis was used to confirm the labelling position. The labelling procedure was found to be suitable for automation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiosynthesis of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand: 5‐((1‐[11C]‐methyl‐2‐(S)‐pyrrolidinyl)methoxy)‐2‐chloro‐3‐((E)‐2‐(2‐fluoropyridin‐4‐yl)vinyl)pyridine

5‐((1‐[¹¹C]‐methyl‐2‐(S)‐pyrrolidinyl)methoxy)‐2‐chloro‐3‐((E)‐2‐(2‐fluoropyridin‐4‐yl)‐vinyl)pyridine ([¹¹C]‐FPVC) was synthesized from [¹¹C]‐methyl iodide and the corresponding normethyl precursor. The average time of synthesis, purification, and formulation was 42 min with an average non‐decay‐corrected radiochemical yield of 19%. The average specific radioactivity was 359 GBq/µmol (9691 mCi/µmole) at end of synthesis (EOS). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

11C labelling of AG957—a potential tyrphostin radiotracer for PET

Carbon‐11 labelled 4‐(N‐2,5‐dihydroxybenzyl)amino methyl benzoate (AG957), a potential radiotracer for imaging bcr–abl receptors was synthesized. [¹¹C]AG957 was prepared by labelling 4‐aminobenzoic acid using [¹¹C]CH₃I, which affords the corresponding [¹¹C] methyl ester in excellent yields. Subsequent condensation of the amino group with 2,5‐dihydroxy‐benzaldehyde formed the respective Schiff base. Reduction of this compound with NaBH₃CN gave [¹¹C]AG957 in overall decay corrected radiochemical yield of 65–75% (based on ¹¹CH₃I) with an average specific radioactivity of 40 GBq/μmol (1.1 Ci/μmol). The total synthesis time from EOB including formulation was 45 min. At physiological pH, the compound was found to be sufficiently stable for in vitro and in vivo investigations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BF3 etherate catalysed formation of [11C]methyl esters: a novel radiolabelling technique

A novel way of preparing ¹¹C labelled methyl esters using [¹¹C]methanol and either BF₃ etherate or trimethylsilyl chloride as catalyst was investigated. Radiochemical yields with BF₃ etherate were between 30 and 33% for [¹¹C]methyl benzoate and less than 1% for [¹¹C]methyl thio salicylate. No [¹¹C]methyl ester formation could be observed with trimethylsilyl chloride for all compounds investigated. This method is an alternative to using [¹¹C]methyl iodide in the presence of a base. It is particularly suited for carboxylic acids bearing functional groups which would compete for [¹¹C]methyl iodide, thus eliminating the need to introduce protecting groups. However, o‐anisic acid formed [¹¹C]methyl salicylate in 33–30% decay corrected radiochemical yield due to hydrolytic cleavage of the methyl ether, and none of the desired [¹¹C]methyl 2‐methoxy benzoate could be obtained. When salicylic acid was used as starting material, [¹¹C]methyl salicylate could only be obtained in 5–8% decay corrected radiochemical yield. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of MMP inhibitor radiotracer [11C]CGS 25966, a new potential pet tumor imaging agent

[¹¹C]CGS 25966, a novel radiolabeled matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, has been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging agent. The precursor was labeled by [¹¹C]methyl triflate through O‐[¹¹C]methylation method at the hydroxyl position of phenol under basic conditions and isolated by HPLC purification to produce pure target compound in 15–25% radiochemical yield, based on ¹¹CO₂, decay corrected to end of bombardment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiosynthesis of 1‐iodo‐2‐[11C]methylpropane and 2‐methyl‐1‐[11C]propanol and its application for alkylation reactions and C―C bond formation

The multitude of biologically active compounds requires the availability of a broad spectrum of radiolabeled synthons for the development of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers. The aim of this study was to synthesize 1‐iodo‐2‐[¹¹C]methylpropane and 2‐methyl‐1‐[¹¹C]propanol and investigate the use of these reagents in further radiosynthesis reactions. 2‐Methyl‐1‐[¹¹C]propanol was obtained with an average radiochemical yield of 46 ± 6% d.c. and used with fluorobenzene as starting material. High conversion rates of 85 ± 4% d.c. could be observed with HPLC, but large precursor amounts (32 mg, 333 μmol) were needed. 1‐Iodo‐2‐[¹¹C]methylpropane was synthesized with a radiochemical yield of 25 ± 7% d.c. and with a radiochemical purity of 78 ± 7% d.c. The labelling agent 1‐iodo‐2‐[¹¹C]methylpropane was coupled to thiophenol, phenol and phenylmagnesium bromide. Average radiochemical conversions of 83% d.c. for thiophenol, 40% d.c. for phenol, and 60% d.c. for phenylmagnesium bromide were obtained. In addition, [¹¹C]2‐methyl‐1‐propyl phenyl sulphide was isolated with a radiochemical yield of 5 ± 1% d.c. and a molar activity of 346 ± 113 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis. Altogether, the syntheses of 1‐iodo‐2‐[¹¹C]methylpropane and 2‐methyl‐1‐[¹¹C]propanol were achieved and applied as proof of their applicability.     

Radiosynthesis of 7‐chloro‐N,N‐dimethyl‐5‐[11C]methyl‐4‐oxo‐3‐phenyl‐3,5‐dihydro‐4H‐pyridazino[4,5‐b]indole‐1‐acetamide, [11C]SSR180575, a novel radioligand for imaging the TSPO (peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) with PET

SSR180575 (7‐chloro‐N,N,5‐trimethyl‐4‐oxo‐3‐phenyl‐3,5‐dihydro‐4H‐pyridazino[4,5‐b]indole‐1‐acetamide) is the lead compound of an original pyridazinoindole series of potent and highly selective TSPO (peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) ligands. Isotopic labeling of SSR180575 with the short‐lived positron‐emitter carbon‐11 (T_1/2: 20.38 min) at its 5‐methylpyridazino[4,5‐b]indole moiety as well as at its N,N‐dimethylacetamide function by methylation of the corresponding nor‐analogues was investigated. Best results in terms of radiochemical yields and purities were obtained for the preparation of [indole‐N‐methyl‐¹¹C]SSR180575, where routine production batches of 4.5–5.0 GBq of radiochemically pure (>99%) i.v. injectable solutions (specific radioactivities: 50–90 GBq/ µ mol) could be prepared within a total synthesis time of 25 min (HPLC purification included) starting from a 55 GBq [¹¹C]CO₂ cyclotron production batch (non‐decay‐corrected overall radiochemical yields: 8–9%). The process comprises (1) trapping at ?10°C of [¹¹C]methyl triflate in DMF (300 µ l) containing 0.2–0.3 mg of the indole precursor for labeling and 4 mg of K₂CO₃ (excess); (2) heating at 120°C for 3 min; (3) dilution of the residue with 0.5 ml of the HPLC mobile phase and (4) purification using semi‐preparative reversed‐phase HPLC (Zorbax^® SB‐C‐18). In vivo pharmacological properties of [indole‐N‐methyl‐¹¹C]SSR180575 as a candidate for imaging neuroinflammation with positron emission tomography are currently evaluated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and evaluation of [O‐methyl‐11C]4‐[3‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐ piperazin‐1‐yl]propoxy]‐4‐aza‐tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec‐8‐ene‐3,5‐dione as a 5‐HT1A receptor agonist PET ligand

4‐[3‐[4‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]propoxy]‐4‐aza‐tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec‐8‐ene‐3,5‐dione (4), a potent and selective 5‐HT_1A agonist, was labeled by ¹¹C‐methylation of the corresponding desmethyl analogue 3 with ¹¹C‐methyl triflate. The precursor molecule 3 was synthesized from commercially available endo‐N‐hydroxy‐5‐norbornene‐2,3‐dicarboximide in two steps with an overall yield of 40%. Radiosynthesis of ¹¹C‐4 was achieved in 35 min in 20±5% yield (n=6) at the end of synthesis with a specific activity of 2600±250 Ci/mmol. In vivo positron emission tomography (PET) studies in baboon revealed rapid uptake of the tracer into the brain. However, lack of specific binding indicates that ¹¹C‐4 is not useful as a 5‐HT_1A agonist PET ligand for clinical studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A rapid one‐step radiosynthesis of the β‐amyloid imaging radiotracer N‐methyl‐[11C]2‐(4′‐methylaminophenyl)‐6‐hydroxybenzothiazole ([11C]‐6‐OH‐BTA‐1)

The promising β‐amyloid PET imaging agent, [¹¹C]‐6‐OH‐BTA‐1, has been radiolabelled in one step using [¹¹C]‐methyl triflate. No protection of the 6‐hydroxy group is required, greatly simplifying the synthetic method. The reaction may be carried out in solution or by the captive solvent ‘loop’ method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New method for routine production of L‐[methyl‐11C]methionine: in loop synthesis

A fast, clean and reproducible method for the manufacture of the radiotracer L‐[methyl‐¹¹C]methionine is reported. The reaction at room temperature of the non‐radioactive precursor L‐homocysteine (1 mg solution in ethanol/water 50/50) with [¹¹C]CH₃I in an HPLC loop led to the formation of the desired radiotracer with a high radiochemical yield (38.4±4.1% end of synthesis) in a short production time (12 min). Radiochemical purity of the final radiotracer was 99.9±0.05%. Specific activities in the range 11–45 GBq/µmol were obtained. The presence of the undesired enantiomer (D‐[methyl‐¹¹C]methionine) was not detected in any of the cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of [14C]‐ and [13C6]‐labeled potent HIV non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

5,11‐Dihydro‐11‐ethyl‐5‐methyl‐8‐{2‐{(1‐oxido‐4‐quinolinyl)oxy}ethyl}‐6H‐dipyrido[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐e][1,4]diazepin‐6‐one, (1), labeled with carbon‐14 in the quinoline–benzene ring, in one of the pyridine rings of the dipyridodiazepinone tricyclic moiety, and in the side chain, was prepared in three different syntheses with specific activities ranging from 44 to 47 mCi/mmol (1.63–1.75 GBq/mmol). In the first synthesis, 5,11‐dihydro‐11‐ethyl‐8‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐methyl‐6H‐dipyrido[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐e][1,4]diazepin‐6‐one (2) was coupled to 4‐hydroxyquinoline, [benzene‐¹⁴C(U)]‐, using Mitsunobu's reaction conditions, followed by the oxidation of the quinoline nitrogen with 3‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid to give ([¹⁴C]‐(1a)) in 43% radiochemical yield. Second, 3‐amino‐2‐chloropyridine, [2,6‐¹⁴C]‐, was used to prepare 8‐bromo‐5,11‐dihydro‐11‐ethyl‐5‐methyl‐6H‐dipyrido[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐e][1,4]diazepin‐6‐one (8), and then Stille coupled to allyl(tributyl)tin followed by ozonolysis of the terminal double bond and in situ reduction of the resulting aldehyde to alcohol (10). Mitsunobu etherification and oxidation as seen before gave ([¹⁴C]‐(1b)) in eight steps and in 11% radiochemical yield. Finally, carbon‐14 potassium cyanide was used to prepare isopropyl cyanoacetate (12), which was used to transform bromide (8) to labeled aryl acetic acid (13) under palladium catalysis. Trihydroborane reduction of the acid gave alcohol (14) labeled in the side chain, which was used as described above to prepare ([¹⁴C]‐(1c)) in 4.3% radiochemical yield. The radiochemical purities of these compounds were determined by radio‐HPLC and radio‐TLC to be more than 98%. To prepare [¹³C₆]‐(1), [¹³C₆]‐4‐hydroxyquinoline was prepared from [¹³C₆]‐aniline and then coupled to (2) and oxidized as seen before. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of N′4‐[11C]methyl‐ciprofloxacin for positron emission tomography studies

The synthesis of N′₄‐[¹¹C]methyl‐ciprofloxacin for pharmacological studies using positron emission tomography is described. The starting material was treated with [¹¹C]methyl iodide at 120°C in DMF for 5 min. After HPLC separation on a C₁₈‐column with water/ethanol as mobile phase, the [¹¹C]methyl labelled compound was produced with a radiochemical yield of at least 25% (end of synthesis from [¹¹C]CO₂). Activities from 1.48 to 2.22 GBq (40 to 60 mCi) were obtained 1 h after the irradiation, ready for intravenous injection. The carrier ranged between 0.05 and 0.08 μmol (0.010–0.016 μmol/ml). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.