Rhenium and technetium tricarbonyl complexes anchored by 5-HT1A receptor-binding ligands containing P,O/N donor atom sets

Insights into the development of 99mTc-radioligands for serotonergic receptors imaging: Synthesis, labeling, In vitro, and In vivo studies

Serotonergic (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) receptors play critical roles in neurological and psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's diseases. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop novel radioligands or modify the existing ones to identify the serotonergic receptors involved in psychiatric disorders. Among the 16 subtypes of serotonergic systems, only technetium-99m based radiopharmaceuticals have been evaluated for serotonin-1A (5-HT1A), serotonin-2A (5-HT2A), 5-HT1A/7 heterodimers and serotonin receptor neurotransmitter (SERT). This review focuses on recent efforts in the design, synthesis and evaluation of 99mTc-radioligands used for single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging of serotonergic (5-HT) receptors. Additionally, the discussion will cover aspects such as chemical structure, in vitro/vivo stability, affinity toward serotonin receptors, blood-brain barrier permeation (BBB), and biodistribution study.

Synthesis and bonding analysis of pentagonal bipyramidal rhenium carboxamide oxo complexes

Seven-coordinate rhenium oxo complexes supported by a tetradentate bipyridine carboxamide/carboxamidate ligand are reported. The neutral dicarboxamide H2Phbpy-da ligand initially coordinates in an L4 (ONNO) fashion to an octahedral rhenium oxo precursor, yielding a seven-coordinate rhenium oxo complex. Subsequent deprotonation generates a new oxo complex featuring the dianionic (L2X2) carboxamidate (NNNN) form of the ligand. Computational studies provide insight into the relative stability of possible linkage isomers upon deprotonation. Structural studies and molecular orbital theory are employed to rationalize the relative isomer stability and provide insight into the rhenium-oxo bond order.

Dicarbonyl cis-[M(CO)2(N,O)(C)(P)] (M = Re, 99mTc) Complexes with a New [2 + 1 + 1] Donor Atom Combination

The synthesis and characterization of the dicarbonyl mixed ligand cis-[Re(CO)₂(quin)(cisc)(PPh₃)] complex, 4, where quin is the deprotonated quinaldic acid, cisc is cyclohexyl isocyanide, and PPh₃ is triphenylphosphine, is presented. The synthesis of 4 proceeds in three steps. In the first, the intermediate fac-[Re(CO)₃(quin)(H₂O)] aqua complex 2 is generated from the fac-[NEt₄]₂[Re(CO)₃Br₃] precursor, together with the brominated products fac-[Re(CO)₃(quinH)(Br)] 1a and fac-[NEt₄][Re(CO)₃(quin)(Br)] 1b, in low yield. In the following step, replacement of the aqua ligand of complex 2 by the monodentate isocyanide ligand leads to the formation of fac-[Re(CO)₃(quin)(cisc)], 3. In the third step replacement of the species trans to the isocyanide carbonyl group of 3 by a phosphine generates complex 4. The Re complexes 2-4 were prepared in high yield and fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography. At the technetium-99m (^99mTc) tracer level, the analogous complexes 3' and 4' were produced in high radiochemical purity, characterized by comparative reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography and showed high resistance to transchelation by histidine or cysteine. This new [N,O][C][P] donor atom combination with the cis-[M(CO)₂]⁺ core (M = Re, ^99mTc) is a promising scaffold for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic targeted radiopharmaceuticals.

Computational investigations of click-derived 1,2,3-triazoles as keystone ligands for complexation with transition metals: a review

In recent years, metal complexes of organo 1,2,3-triazole click-derived ligands have attracted significant attention as catalysts in many chemical transformations and also as biological and pharmaceutical active agents. Regarding the important applications of these metal-organo 1,2,3-triazole-based complexes, in this review, we focused on the recently reported investigations of the structural, electronic, and spectroscopic aspects of the complexation process in transition metal complexes of 1,2,3-triazole-based click ligands. In line with this, the coordination properties of these triazole-based click ligands with transition metals were studied via several quantum chemistry calculations. Moreover, considering the complexation process, we have presented comparative discussions between the computational results and the available experimental data.

Picolinic acid based acyclic bifunctional chelating agent and its methionine conjugate as potential SPECT imaging agents: syntheses and preclinical evaluation

Syntheses and preclinical evaluation of picolinic acid based acyclic bifunctional chelating agent and its methionine conjugate as SPECT imaging agents.

fac-Bromidotricarbonyl[2-(diisopropylphosphanyl)benzaldehyde-κ(2)O,P]rhenium(I)

The structure of the title complex, [ReBr(C(13)H(19)OP)(CO)(3)], displays a facial coordination of the three CO ligands and a κ(2)O,P coordination mode of the 2-diisopropyl-phosphino-benzaldehyde ligands. The Re-C bond distance for the CO ligand trans to the P atom is, due to its trans influence, elongated to 1.943 (3) Å, showing that this CO ligand is more weakly bound to the Re centre than the other two.

New monodentate amidine superbasic ligands with a single configuration in fac-[Re(CO)3(5,5'- or 6,6'-Me2bipyridine)(amidine)]BF4 complexes

Treatment of two precursors, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(CH(3)CN)]BF(4) [L = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (5,5'-Me(2)bipy) (1) and 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (6,6'-Me(2)bipy) (2)], with five C(2)-symmetrical saturated heterocyclic amines yielded 10 new amidine complexes, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) [Y = CH(2), (CH(2))(2), (CH(2))(3), NH, or O]. All 10 complexes possess the novel feature of having only one isomer (amidine E configuration), as established by crystallographic and (1)H NMR spectroscopic methods. We are confident that NMR signals of the other possible isomer (amidine Z configuration) would have been detected, if it were present. Isomers are readily detected in closely related amidine complexes because the double-bond character of the amidine C-N3 bond (N3 is bound to Re) leads to slow E to Z isomer interchange. The new fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y)]BF(4) complexes have C-N3 bonds with essentially identical double-bond character. However, the reason that the Z isomer is so unstable as to be undetectable in the new complexes is undoubtedly because of unfavorable clashes between the equatorial ligands and the bulky N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)Y ring moiety of the axial amidine ligand. The amidine formation reactions in acetonitrile (25 °C) proceeded more easily with 2 than with 1, indicating that the distortion in 6,6'-Me(2)bipy resulting from the proximity of the methyl substituents to the inner coordination sphere enhanced the reactivity of the coordinated CH(3)CN. Reaction times for 1 and 2 exhibited a similar dependence on the basicity and ring size of the heterocyclic amine reactants. Moreover, when the product of the reaction of 1 with piperidine, fac-[Re(CO)(3)(5,5'-Me(2)bipy)(HNC(CH(3))N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)CH(2))]BF(4), was challenged in acetonitrile-d(3) or CDCl(3) with a 5-fold excess of the strong 4-dimethylaminopyridine ligand, there was no evidence for replacement of the amidine ligand after two months, thus establishing that the piperidinylamidine ligand is a robust ligand. This chemistry offers promise as a suitable means for preparing isomerically pure conjugated fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)L](n±) imaging agents, including conjugates with known bioactive heterocyclic amines.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel neutral fac-M(CO)3(SNO) complexes (M=Re, 99mTc) bearing the o-methoxyphenylpiperazine moiety

The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of two new neutral tricarbonyl fac-M(CO)(3)(SNO) (M=Re, (99m)Tc) bearing o-methoxyphenylpiperazine as pharmacophore and S-functionalized cysteine or penicillamine as chelators are reported. Competition binding tests showed good affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor (8 and 54 nM for 4a and 4b, respectively). Biodistribution studies in healthy animals showed high initial blood and liver uptake, fast blood and tissue depuration and negligible brain uptake.

New 99mTc(CO)3(NNO) complexes in the development of 5HT1A receptor imaging agents

In this work we report the synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of two new neutral tricarbonyl fac-M(CO)3(NNO) (M=Re, 99mTc) derivatives of WAY-100635 as potential 99mTc agents for the in vivo imaging of 5HT1A receptors. The new pharmacophore NNO ligands are based on the picolylamine N,N-diacetic acid (PADA) ligand and their synthesis was achieved through the PADA anhydride, showing thus the applicability of this synthetic approach, developed in our laboratory, for the incorporation of bioactive amines in the PADA molecule and the development of target specific radiopharmaceuticals. The rhenium complexes were synthesized using [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] as a precursor and fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The analogous technetium-99m complexes were also prepared quantitatively using the [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ precursor and their structure corroborated by means of the rhenium complexes. The lipophilicity of the Tc complexes is in the range normally accepted for substances to be able to cross the BBB. Competition binding tests showed moderate affinity for the 5HT1A receptors, with IC50 values at the nanomolar range (30 and 116 nM). Biodistribution in healthy animals was characterized by high initial blood and liver uptake and fast blood and tissue depuration with excretion taking place mainly through the hepatobiliary system. None of the new complexes showed any significant brain uptake, suggesting that the ability of a compound to cross the BBB is determined by more factors than charge, lipophilicity and size.

Carbohydrate-Appended 3-Hydroxy-4-pyridinone Complexes of the [M(CO)3]+ Core (M = Re, 99mTc, 186Re)

This work describes the use of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone ligands for binding the [M(CO)(3)](+) core (M = Re, Tc) in the context of preparing novel Tc(I) and Re(I) glucose conjugates. Five pyridinone ligands bearing pendent carbohydrate moieties, HL(1-5), were coordinated to the [M(CO)(3)](+) core on the macroscopic scale (M = Re) and on the tracer scale (M = (99m)Tc, (186)Re). On the macroscopic scale the complexes, ReL(1-5)(CO)(3)(H(2)O), were thoroughly characterized by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. Characterization confirmed the bidentate coordination of the pyridinone and the pendent nature of the carbohydrate and suggests the presence of a water molecule in the sixth coordination site. In preliminary biological evaluation, both the ligands and complexes were assessed as potential substrates or inhibitors of hexokinase, but showed no activity. Labeling via the [(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) precursor gave the tracer species (99m)TcL(1-5)(CO)(3)(H(2)O) in high radiochemical yields. Similar high radiochemical yields when labeling with (186)Re were facilitated by in situ preparation of the [(186)Re(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) species in the presence of HL(1-5) to give (186)ReL(1-5)(CO)(3)(H(2)O). Stability challenges, incubating (99m)TcL(1-5)(CO)(3)(H(2)O) in the presence of excess cysteine and histidine, confirmed complex stability up to 24 h.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tricarbonyl Re(I) and Tc(I) complexes anchored by poly(azolyl)borates: application on the design of radiopharmaceuticals for the targeting of 5-HT1A receptors

The building blocks fac-[(99m)Tc{kappa(3)-HB(tim(Me))(3)}(CO)(3)] and fac-[(99m)Tc{kappa(3)-R(mu-H)B(tim(Me))(2)}(CO)(3)] [R is H (4a), Ph (5a); tim(Me) is 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl] were obtained almost quantitatively by reacting fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) with the corresponding scorpionate. These compounds cross the intact blood-brain barrier in mice, with significant retention in the case of 4a and 5a. Using 4a as the lead structure, we have synthesized the functionalized complexes fac-[M{kappa(3)-H(mu-H)B(tim(Bu-pip))(2)}(CO)(3)] [M is Re (8), (99m)Tc (8a); tim(Bu-pip) is methyl[4-((2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)butyl](2-mercapto-1-methylimidazol-5-yl)methanamide] and fac-[M{kappa (3)-H(mu-H)B(tim(Me))(tim(Bu-pip))}(CO)(3)] [M is Re (9), (99m)Tc (9a)] and evaluated their potential as radioactive probes for the targeting of brain 5-HT(1A) serotonergic receptors. The Re complexes exhibit excellent affinity [IC(50)=0.172 +/- 0.003 nM (8); IC(50)=0.65 +/- 0.01 nM (9)] for the 5-HT(1A) receptor. The radioactive congeners ((99m)Tc) have shown an initial brain uptake of 1.38 +/- 0.46%ID g(-1) (8a) and 0.43 +/- 0.12%ID g(-1) (9a), but suffer from a relatively fast washout.