Labeling of aliphatic carboxylic acids using [11C]carbon monoxide.

Here we present a protocol for labeling aliphatic carboxylic acids with the positron-emitting radionuclide 11C (t(1/2) = 20.4 min) at the carboxyl position using [11C]carbon monoxide via photoinitiated free radical-mediated carbonylation. A solution of an alkyl iodide in a homogenous binary organic solvent-water mixture is introduced into a high-pressure photochemical reactor containing [11C]carbon monoxide. Then the reactor contents are pressurized to 40 MPa and irradiated with ultraviolet light for 6 min. The labeled product is purified using HPLC. All manipulations with radioactivity including the labeling synthesis are carried out on an automated Synthia system. In a typical case, 3.19 GBq of purified [1-(11)C]1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid (with a specific radioactivity of 188 GBq/micromol) can be obtained within 35 min after the end of a 10-microAh bombardment. Compared to previous labeling methods, this protocol is compatible with a wider range of functional groups, utilizes less-sensitive precursors, and is less subject to isotopic dilution.

Photoinitiated carbonylation with [(11)C]carbon monoxide using amines and alkyl iodides.

Photoinitiated radical carbonylation with [(11)C]carbon monoxide at low concentration was employed in syntheses of carbonyl-(11)C-labeled amides using alkyl iodides and amines as precursors. Eleven (11)C-amides were synthesized in up to 74% decay-corrected radiochemical yields with reaction times of 400 s and with up to 95% conversion of carbon monoxide. Starting with 26.3 GBq of [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 10.6 GBq of 1-cyclohexane [(11)C]carbonyl-4-phenyl-piperazine (15) was obtained within 35 min from the end of bombardment (33 microA) and with a specific radioactivity of 192 GBq/micromol at the same time point. The influence of solvents was investigated. The described procedure extends the range of accessible labeling methods. The method may also be useful for preparation of (13)C- and (14)C-substituted compounds.

Synthesis of [11C]/(13C)amines via carbonylation followed by reductive amination.

Twelve 11C-labelled amines were prepared via 11C-carbonylation followed by reductive amination. The 11C-carbonylation was performed in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium using aryl iodides or aryl triflates, [11C]carbon monoxide and phenyl-/methylboronic acid. The [11C]ketones formed in this step were then transformed directly into amines by reductive amination using different amines in the presence of TiCl4 and NaBH3CN. The 11C-labelled amines were obtained with decay-corrected radiochemical yields in the range 2-78%. The radiochemical purity of the isolated products exceeded 98%. (13C)Benzhydryl-phenyl-amine was synthesised and analysed by NMR spectroscopy for confirmation of the labelling position. Specific radioactivity was determined for the same compound. The reference compounds were prepared by reductive amination of ketones using conventional reaction conditions and three of the compounds were novel. The presented approach is a new method for the synthesis of [11C]/(13C)amines.

Aryl triflates and [11C]/(13C)carbon monoxide in the synthesis of 11C-/13C-amides.

Palladium(0)-mediated carbonylation reactions using aryl triflates, amines, and a low concentration of [(11)C]carbon monoxide were used in the syntheses of 13 (11)C-labeled amides. Lithium bromide was used as an additive to facilitate the reaction. The (11)C-labeled products were obtained with decay-corrected radiochemical yields in the range of 2-63%. The radiochemical purity of the final products exceeded 98%. As an example, a reaction starting with 1.79 GBq [(11)C]carbon monoxide gave 0.38 GBq of LC-purified N-isopropyl-4-nitro-[(11)C]benzamide within 27 min from the start of the carbonylation reaction (54% decay-corrected radiochemical yield). The specific radioactivity of this compound was 191 GBq/micromol, 35 min after the end of a 10 microAh bombardment. N-Benzylisoquinoline-1-((13)C)carboxamide was prepared and analyzed by NMR for confirmation of the labeling position. The triflates 16, 20, 21, and 22 were synthesized from the corresponding alcohols and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride. The reference compounds 30a and 30b were prepared from the corresponding carboxylic acids and benzylamine. The other nine reference compounds 32a to 32i were synthesized from the respective acid chlorides and amines. The presented report shows that the sometimes more easily obtainable aryl triflates can be a useful alternative to the commonly used aryl halides in palladium(0)-mediated synthesis of (11)C/(13)C-amides.

[(11)C] Carbon monoxide in selenium-mediated synthesis of (11)C-carbamoyl compounds.

Using either amines, amino alcohols, or alcohols in selenium-mediated synthesis with [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 3 ureas, 6 carbamates, and 1 carbonate were labeled. Tetrabutylammonium fluoride ((TBA)F) was discovered to form a soluble and reactive complex with selenium and drastically increase the radiochemical yields. Of the selected carbamoyl compounds, one was a receptor ligand, one was an enzyme inhibitor, and one was a muscular relaxant pharmaceutical. The (11)C-target compounds were obtained in radiochemical yields ranging from low to almost quantitative and with specific radioactivity up to 1300 GBq/micromol. The radiochemical purity of the final products exceeded 98%. In one case, the corresponding (13)C-substituted compound was produced to verify the position of the (11)C-label. In a typical experiment starting with 16.4 GBq [(11)C]carbon monoxide, 7.0 GBq of LC-purified 5-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-[2-(11)C]-2-one was obtained within 20 min from start of the carbonylation reaction (84% decay-corrected radiochemical yield). The presented approach is an interesting alternative to the use of [(11)C]phosgene in labeling chemistry.