18F-Radiolabeling and Preliminary Evaluation of a HSP90 ligand.

PURPOSE: With the ambition of improving the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs), we developed and preliminary validated a novel fluorine-18 labelled HSP90 ligand. METHODS: A precursor containing methoxymethyl ethers protecting groups and a tosyl as leaving group was synthesized. The target compound was labeled with nucleophilic 18F-fluoride and the protecting groups was subsequently removed with hydrochloric acid before purification. In vitro cell- and frozen section autoradiography and in vivo animal studies were performed. RESULTS: The precursor was successfully synthesized and utilized in the 18F-radiolabeling giving 0.5-1.0 GBq of pure product with a synthesis time of 70 min. In vitro experiments indicated a high specific binding, but in vivo studies showed no tumor uptake due to fast hepatobiliary metabolism and excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the unfavorable in vivo properties of the tracer, the promising results from in vitro autoradiography experiments in frozen sections of P-NETs from surgical resection encourage us to continue the project aiming the improvement of in vivo properties of the tracer.

Highly selective palladium-catalyzed synthesis of protected alpha,beta-unsaturated methyl ketones and 2-alkoxy-1,3-butadienes. High-speed chemistry by microwave flash heating

A selective and mild procedure is described for the direct synthesis of 2-alkene-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolanes via regiocontrolled Heck vinylation of commercially available 2-hydroxyethyl vinyl ether. The procedure permits chemoselective transformation of a vinylic triflate or bromide into a blocked alpha,beta-unsaturated methyl ketone. Furthermore, a significantly improved and highly regioselective synthesis of 2-alkoxy-1,3-butadienes has been developed. Flash heating by microwave irradiation promotes the palladium-catalyzed reactions, and the starting materials are fully converted after reaction times of 5-7 min.