Interaction of [ReO(SNS) (S)] and [99mTcO(SNS) (S)] mixed ligand complexes with glutathione: isolation and characterization of the product

Reactivity of 99mTc(V) ''3+1''mixed-ligand complexes towards glutathione

The stability and reactivity of mixed-ligand 99mTc complexes of the general formula [99mTcOL1L2], where L1H2 is either an N-substituted bis-(2-mercaptoethyl)amine [SNMeS] or 3-thiapentane-1,5-dithiol [SSS] and L2H is a monodentate thiol [RS], were investigated. The complexes undergo transchelation reactions with glutathione and other SH-group containing blood constituents. The reactions are reversible and can be inhibited by addition of diethylmaleate. Challenge experiments were performed with a broad set of 99mTc mixed-ligand complexes to investigate the influence of both the tridentate ligand and the monodentate ligand on the stability of this type of complex. The occurrence of ligand exchange reactions with glutathione depends on the donor set of the tridentate ligands as well as the structure of the monodentate ligands. Especially the stability of complexes containing a monodentate ligand with an amine nitrogen in the side chain can be increased by lengthening the carbon chain between the sulfhydryl group and the nitrogen. Thus, it might be possible to improve their in-vivo performance.

Rhenium Inhibitors of Cathepsin B (ReO(SYS)X (Where Y = S, py; X = Cl, Br, SPhOMe-p)): Synthesis and Mechanism of Inhibition

The synthesis of four new oxorhenium(V) complexes containing the "3 + 1" mixed-ligand donor set, ReO(SYS)X (where Y = S, py; X = Cl, Br), is described. All of the complexes tested exhibited selectivity for cathepsin B over K. Most notably, compound 6, ReO(SSS-2,2')Br (IC50(cathepsin B) = 1.0 nM), was 260 times more potent against cathepsin B. It was also discovered that complexes containing the same tridentate (SSS) ligand were more potent when the leaving group was bromide versus chloride (e.g., IC50(cathepsin B): ReO(SSS-2,2')Cl (4), 8.8 nM; ReO(SSS-2,2')Br (6), 1.0 nM). Mechanistic studies with cathepsin B showed that both compounds 2 (ReO(SpyS)(SPhOMe-p)) and 4 were active-site-directed. Compound 2 was determined to be a tight-binding, reversible inhibitor, while compound 4 was a time-dependent, slowly reversible inhibitor. The results described in this paper show that the oxorhenium(V) "3 + 1" complexes are potent, selective inhibitors of cathepsin B and have potential for the treatment of cancer.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel “3 + 2” Oxorhenium Complexes, ReO[SNO][NN]

The present paper deals with the synthesis and structural characterization of novel neutral oxorhenium(V) complexes of the general formula ReO[SNO][NN]. The simultaneous action of the tridentate SNO ligand, N-(2-mercaptoacetyl)glycine (1), and the bidentate NN ligand, N-phenylpyridine-2-aldimine (2), on ReOCl3(PPh3)2 leads to the formation of two isomers 4a and 4b of the general formula ReO[SNO][NN], as a result of the different orientations of the NN ligand. In both cases, the SNO donor atoms of the tridentate ligand occupy the three positions in the equatorial plane of the distorted octahedron, whereas the oxo group is always directed toward one of the apical positions. In the first isomer, 4a, the imino nitrogen of the NN ligand occupies the fourth equatorial position and the pyridine type nitrogen is directed trans to the oxo group, while in the second isomer, 4b, the imino nitrogen of the NN ligand occupies the apical position trans to the oxo group and the pyridine type nitrogen completes the equatorial plane of the distorted octahedron. The [SNO][NN] mixed-ligand system was applied in the synthesis of the oxorhenium complex 5 in which the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety, a fragment of the true 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635, has been incorporated in the NN bidentate ligand (NN is N-{3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propyl}pyridine-2-aldimine). In this case, high-performance liquid chromatography and NMR showed the existence of one isomer, 5, in which the pyridine nitrogen is trans to the oxo core, as demonstrated by crystal structure analysis.

Novel Procedures for Preparing99mTc(III) Complexes with Tetradentate/Monodentate Coordination of Varying Lipophilicity and Adaptation to188Re Analogues

Improved methods are presented for the preparation of 99mTc and 188Re mixed-ligand complexes with tetradentate and monodentate ligands of the general formula [MIII(Lm)(Ln)] (M = Tc, Re; Lm = NS3 or NS3COOH; Ln = isocyanide or phosphine). To avoid the undesired formation of reduced-hydrolyzed species of both metals, the preparation of complexes is performed in a two-step procedure. At first the Tc(III)- or Re(III)-EDTA complex is formed which reacts in a second step with the tripodal ligand 2,2',2' '-nitrilotris(ethanethiol) (NS3) or its carboxyl derivative NS3COOH (a) and the monodentate phosphine ligands (triphenylphosphine L1, dimethylphenylphosphine L2) or isocyanides (tert-butyl isonitrile L3, methoxyisobutyl isonitrile L4, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-L-arginine L5, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-L-arginyl-L-arginine L6, 4-isocyanomethylbenzoic acid-neurotensin(8-13) L7) to the so-called '4+1' complex. Copper(I) isocyanide complexes are used for preparing the '4+1' complexes. That facilitates storage stability and allows kit formulations, and, moreover, enables the formation of 188Re complexes in acidic solution. Only micromolar amounts of the monodentate ligand are needed, and that results in high specific activity labeling of interesting molecules. The lipophilicity of complexes can be controlled by introducing a carboxyl group into the tetradentate ligand and/or derivatization of the monodentate ligands. Furthermore, the carboxyl group enables the conjugation of biomolecules. As an example, the neurotensin derivative CN-NT(8-13) was prepared and labeled with 99mTc according to the '4+1' approach, and its behavior in vivo was studied.

Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of technetium(III) complexes with tridentate/bidentate S,E,S/P,S coordination (E = O, N(CH(3)), S): a novel approach to robust technetium chelates suitable for linking the metal to biomolecules

A novel type of mixed-ligand Tc(III) complexes, [Tc(SCH(2)CH(2)-E-CH(2)CH(2)S)(PR(2)S)] (E = S, N(CH(3)); PR(2)S = phosphinothiolate with R = aryl, alkyl) is described. These "3+2"-coordinated complexes can be prepared in a two-step reduction/substitution procedure via the appropriate chloro-containing oxotechnetium(V) complex [TcO(SES)Cl] [E=S, N(CH(3)]. Tc(III) compounds have been fully characterized both in solid and solution states and found to adopt the trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry. The equatorial trigonal plane is formed by three thiolate sulfur atoms, whereas the phosphorus of the bidentate P,S ligand and the neutral donor of the tridentate chelator occupy the apical positions. The (99)Tc(III) complexes have been proven to be identical with the (99m)Tc agents prepared at the no-carrier-added level by comparison of the corresponding UV/vis and radiometric HPLC profiles. Challenge experiments with glutathione clearly indicate that this tripeptide has no effect on the stability of the (99m)Tc complexes in solutions. Biodistribution studies have been carried out in rats at 5 and 120 min postinjection. The substituents at the bidentate P,S ligand significantly influence the biodistribution pattern. Remarkable differences are observed especially in brain, blood, lungs, and liver. All the complexes are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier of rats and showed a relatively fast washout from the brain.

Oxotechnetium 99mTcO[SN(R)S][S] complexes as potential 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents

A series of 99mTcO[SN(R)S][S] complexes carrying the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety on the tridentate ligand [SN(R)S] was synthesized. For structural characterization and for in vitro binding assays the analogous oxorhenium complexes were prepared. As demonstrated by appropriate competition binding tests in rat hippocampal preparations, all oxorhenium analogues showed affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor binding sites with IC(50) values at the nanomolar range (IC(50)= 5.8-103 nM). All 99mTcO[SN(R)S]/[S] complexes showed significant brain uptake in rats at 2 min p.i. (0.24-1.31% ID). However, a clear correlation between distribution of radioactivity in the brain and distribution of 5-HT(1A) receptors could not be established.

Synthesis, biological and autoradiographic evaluation of a novel Tc-99m radioligand derived from WAY 100635 with high affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor and the alpha1-adrenergic receptor

This paper reports the synthesis, biological evaluation, in vitro and ex vivo autoradiography of the first Tc-99m ligand with subnanomolar affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor and a remarkably high affinity for the alpha1-adrenergic receptor. The neutral "3+1" mixed-ligand complex combines 4-(6-mercaptohexyl)-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine as monodentate and 3-(N-methyl)azapentane-1,5-dithiol as tridentate unit with oxotechnetium(V). The analogous rhenium complex was synthesized for complete structural characterization and used in receptor binding assays. In competition experiments both complexes display subnanomolar affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor (IC(50)0.24 nM for Re, 0.13 nM for Tc) but also very high affinities for the alpha1-adrenergic receptor (IC(50) 0.05 nM for Re, 0.03 nM for Tc). Biodistribution studies show a brain uptake in rat of 0.22% ID five minutes post injection. In vitro autoradiographic studies in rat brain and postmortem human brain indicate accumulation of the Tc-99m complex in brain areas which are rich in 5-HT(1A) receptors or in alpha1-adrenergic receptors. This in vitro enrichment can be blocked respectively by the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT or by prazosin hydrochloride, an alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Ex vivo autoradiographic studies in rats show a slight accumulation of the Tc-99m complex in 5-HT(1A) receptor-rich areas of the brain, which could not be blocked, as well as in regions rich in alpha1-adrenergic receptors, which could be blocked by prazosin hydrochloride.

Recent advances in 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals

99mTc radiopharmaceuticals play an important role in widespread applications of nuclear medicine. When 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals first came into use, major efforts were directed toward the development of 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals for bone imaging and for the excretory functions of the liver and kidneys. In the past 20 years, a significant advance has been made in technetium chemistry, which provided 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals for assessment of regional cerebral and myocardial blood flow. Recent efforts have been directed toward the design of 99mTc-labeled compounds for estimating receptor or transporter functions. A number of bifunctional chelating agents that provide 99mTc labeled proteins and peptides of high in vivo stability with high radiochemical yields have also been developed. More recently, organometallic technetium and rhenium compounds have been introduced as another class of 99mTc radiopharmaceutical design. In this manuscript, recent progress in 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals is reviewed with the major emphasis laid on key innovations in this field to provide the 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals available today.

Schiff base chemistry of the rhenium(V)-oxo core with '3+2' ligand donor sets

Reactions of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] with the bidentate ligands 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazole and (2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazoline resulted in the isolation of the complexes [ReOCl(2)(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)-2-O)(PPh(3))] (1) and [ReOCl(2)(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NCH(2)CH(2)S)(PPh(3))] (2). Reactions of 1 with the tridentate Schiff base ligands salicylaldehyde 2-hydroxyanil (H(2)L(1b)), salicylaldehyde 2-mercaptoanil (H(2)L(2b)) afnd S-benzyl-2-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene] dithiocarbazate (H(2)L(3b)) yielded the '3+2' rhenium(V) oxo species [ReO(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)O) (OC(6)H(4)CH=NC(6)H(4)O)] (3), [ReO(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)O)-(OC(6)H(4)CH=NC(6)H(4)S)] (4) and [ReO(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)O){OC(6)H(4)CH=N-N=C(SCH(2)C(6)H(5))S}] (5). Similarly, the reactions of [ReOCl(2)(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)S)(PPh(3))] (2) with H(2)L(2b), H(2)L(3b) and 2-[(2-hydroxyphenyl) methylene]-N-phenyl-hydrazinecarbothioamide (H(2)L(4b)) were exploited to prepare [ReO(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)S)(OC(6)H(4)CH=NC(6)H(4)O)] (6), [ReO(OC(6)H(4)C=NC(6)H(4)S){OC(6)H(4)CH=N-N=C (SCH(2)C(6)H(5))S}] (7) and [ReO(OC(6)H(4)-2-C=NC(6)H(4)S){OC(6)H(4)CH=N-N=C(NHC(6)H(5))}] (8), respectively.

Ligand-exchange reaction of labile "3 + 1"99mTc(V) complexes with SH group-containing proteins

The reactivity of labile 3 + 1 mixed-ligand 99mTc complexes of the type [99mTcO(SES)(RS)] with SES being a tridentate dithiol ligand and glutathione or dimethylcysteamine as monodentate ligands RSH towards proteins was investigated in vitro and in vivo. It was found that the complexes undergo reversible transchelation reactions with SH group-containing components of blood such as albumin or haemoglobin. High labelling yields were obtained when 3 + 1 complexes with the tridentate SSS ligand were used. The biodistribution of blood proteins labelled by ligand-exchange reaction with the [99TcO(SSS)] or [99mTcO(SNMeS)] core was studied and compared with the in vivo distribution of the labile 3 + 1 complexes containing glutathione as monodentate ligand.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a novel "3 + 1" mixed ligand 99mTc complex having an aliphatic thiol as coligand

A novel "3 + 1" mixed ligand 99mTc complex with N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N'N'-diethyl-ethilenediamine as ligand and 1-octanethiol as coligand was prepared and evaluated as potential brain radiopharmaceutical. Preparation at tracer level was accomplished by substitution, using 99mTc-glucoheptonate as precursor and a coligand/ligand ratio of 5. Under these conditions the labeling yield was over 80% and a major product with radiochemical purity >80% was isolated by HPLC methods and used for biological evaluation. Chemical characterization at carrier level was developed using the corresponding rhenium and 99gTc complexes. Results were consistent with the expected "3 + 1" structure and X-ray diffraction study demonstrated that the complex adopted a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. All sulphur atoms underwent ionization leading to the formation of a neutral compound. Biodistribution in mice demonstrated early brain uptake, fast blood clearance and excretion through hepatobiliary system. Although brain/blood ratio increased significantly with time, this novel 99mTc complex did not exhibit ideal properties as brain perfusion radiopharmaceutical since brain uptake was too low.

Synthesis and characterization of novel trigonal bipyramidal technetium(III) mixed-ligand complexes with SES/S/P coordination (E = O, N(CH3), S)

Five-coordinate oxotechnetium(V) mixed-ligand complexes [TcO(SES)(S-p-C6H4-OMe)], where SES is a tridentate dithiolato fragment of the type -S(CH2)2E(CH2)2S- (E = O, 1; E = S, 2; E = NMe, 3) are converted via reduction-substitution reactions in the presence of PMe2Ph into the corresponding five-coordinate Tc(III) complexes [Tc(SES)(S-p-C6H4-OMe)(PMe2Ph)] (E = O, 4; E = S, 5; E = NMe, 6). Rearrangement of the original square pyramidal "3 + 1" oxo species to the trigonal bipyramidal "3 + 1 + 1" Tc(III) complexes occurs by placing the three thiolate donors on the basal plane, the phosphine phosphorus, and the heteroatom of the tridentate ligand at the apexes of the bipyramid. These Tc(III) complexes are diamagnetic species, thereby allowing multinuclear NMR characterization in solution, which confirm their structures to be identical to those observed in the solid state via X-ray determinations.

Exploring oxorhenium '3+1' mixed-ligand complexes carrying the S-benzyl-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]dithiocarbazate [ONS]/monothiol [S] donor set: synthesis and characterization

The reaction of ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) with the potentially tridentate ligand S-benzyl-3-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]dithiocarbazate ([ONS] donor set) and para-substituted benzenethiols [C(6)H(4)X-4-SH] (where X=H, F, Cl, Br and OCH(3)) in the presence of Et(3)N afforded a series of integrated '3+1' oxorhenium(V) complexes with general formula [ReO{eta(3)-OC(6)H(4)-2-CH=N-N=C(SCH(2)Ph)-S}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)X-4-S)]. The molecular structure of [ReO{eta(3)-OC(6)H(4)-2-CH=N-N=C(SCH(2)Ph)-S}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)F-4-S)] (4) was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Complex 4 consists of a central oxorhenium(V) core with phenolic oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and thiol sulfur donor from the thiosemicarbazone Schiff base ligand and one sulfur donor from monothiol ligand completing a distorted square pyramidal environment. Crystal data for 4, C(21)H(16)FN(2)O(2)S(3)Re: orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a=5.6682(3), b=11.6600(6), c=31.697(2) A, V=2094.9(2) A(3), Z=4.

Stability studies on (99m)technetium(III) complexes with tridentate/monodentate thiol ligands and phosphine ('3 + 1 + 1' complexes)

The preparation and characterisation of 3 + 1 + 1 technetium complexes of the general formula [Tc(SES)(RS)(PMe2Ph)] (SES = tridentate dithiol ligand, E = S, O, NMe; RSH = monothiol ligand) at the n.c.a. level is described. The Tc(III) complexes are prepared in a one-step procedure starting from pertechnetate in yields of 85-95% of radiochemical purity. A comparison of their chromatographic data with the fully characterised 99Tc complexes indicate the identity of the investigated compounds. Stability studies show that the 99mTc complexes undergo some alteration in solution. They are oxidised to the 3 + 1 oxotechnetium (V) complexes and/or decompose in aqueous solution. In challenge experiments performed with glutathione, exchange of the monothiolato ligand occurs in the same manner as known for the 3 + 1 complexes.

Structural characterizations of an Re(IV) complex [ReCl(4)(OPPh(3))(2)] and of an imino species [ReOCl(2)(PPh(3))(eta-OC(6)H(4)-2-CH=NH)] prepared from the reaction of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] with salicylaldoxime

The reaction of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] with salicylaldoxime unexpectedly yields [ReCl(4)(OPPh(3))(2)] (1) and [ReOCl(2)(PPh(3))(eta(2)-OC(6)H(4)-2-CH=NH)] (2). The crystal structure of the Re(IV) complex 1 consists of discrete mononuclear units. The Re site is bound to four chlorides and two trans oxygens of the OPPh(3) groups. The crystal structure of 2 is also mononuclear with the geometry of the Re(V) center defined by a terminal oxo-group, two cis chlorides, the phosphorus of the PPh(3), and the nitrogen and oxygen donors of the phenoxyimino ligand [OC(6)H(4)-2-CH=NH](-).

Synthesis and characterization of complexes of the {ReO} core with SNS and S donor ligands

The reaction of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] with N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)benzylamine and 4-bromobenzenethiol allowed for the isolation of [ReO{eta(3)-(SCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)C(6)H(5))}-(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)Br-4-S)] (1). The reaction of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] with [(HSCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)] and the appropriate thiol in chloroform treated with triethylamine has led to the isolation of a series of neutral rhenium complexes of the type [ReO{eta(3)-(SCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)X-4-S)] (X = Br (2), Cl (3), F (4), and OCH(3) (5)) and [ReO{eta(3)-(SCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)OCH(3)-4-CH(2)S)] (6). Likewise, under similar reaction conditions, the use of the related tridentate ligand, [(HSCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)], has led to the isolation of a series of rhenium complexes of the type [ReO{eta(3)-(SCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)X-4-S)] (X=Br (7), Cl (8), OCH(3) (9)), as well as [ReO{eta(3)-(SCH(2)CH(2))(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)C(5)H(4)N)}(eta(1)-C(6)H(4)Cl-4-CH(2)S)].0.5CH(3)(CH(2))(4)CH(3) (10). These compounds are extensions of the '3+1' approach to the synthesis of materials with the {MO}(3+) core (M=Tc and Re), which have applications in nuclear medicine. The ligands chosen allow systematic exploration of the consequences of para-substitution on the monodentate thiolate ligand [S] and of derivatization of the substituent R on the tridentate aminodithiol ligand [SNS] of the type (HSCH(2)CH(2))(2)NR. Such modifications can influence lipophilicity, charge, size and molecular weight of the complex and consequently the biodistribution.

Synthesis and characterization of six-coordinate "3 + 2" mixed-ligand oxorhenium complexes with the o-diphenylphosphinophenolato ligand and tridentate coligands of different N and S donor atom combinations

A series of octahedral six-coordinate oxorhenium(V) mixed ligand complexes containing the common [ReO(L)]2+ fragment (L = o-OC6H4P(C6H5)2] have been synthesized and characterized. Hence, it was shown that the [ReO(L)]2+ moiety can accommodate a variety of tridentate ligands containing a central amine group amenable to deprotonation and different combinations of lateral groups, such as ethylamine, substituted ethylamine, ethylthiol, and ethylthioether arms. In particular, by reaction of equimolar amounts of the pertinent HLn ligands with the [(n-C4H9)4N][ReOCl3(L)] precursor in refluxing acetonitrile/methanol or dichloromethane/methanol mixtures, the following series of [ReO(Ln)(L)]+/0 oxorhenium(V) complexes has been generated: ReO[[N(CH2CH2NH2)2][o-OC6H4P(C6H5)2]]Cl (1); ReO[[C2H5)2NCH2CH2NCH2CH2S][o-OC6H4P5)2]] (2); ReO[[(CH2)4NCH2CH2NCH2CH2S][o-OC6H4P(C6H4P(C6H5)2]] (3); and ReO[[C2H5SCH2CH2NCH2CH2S][o-OC6H4P(C6H5)2]] (4). The complexes are closed-shell 18-electron oxorhenium species, which adopt octahedral geometries both in solution and in the solid state, as established by conventional physicochemical techniques including multinuclear NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Chemical and biological characterization of technetium(I) and Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes with dithioether ligands serving as linkers for coupling the Tc(CO)(3) and Re(CO)(3) moieties to biologically active molecules

The organometallic precursor (NEt(4))(2)[ReBr(3)(CO)(3)] was reacted with bidendate dithioethers (L) of the general formula H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-R (R = -CH(2)CH(2)COOH, CH(2)-C&tbd1;CH) and R'-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-R' (R' = CH(3)CH(2)-, CH(3)CH(2)-OH, and CH(2)COOH) in methanol to form stable rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes of the general composition [ReBr(CO)(3)L]. Under these conditions, the functional groups do not participate in the coordination. As a prototypic representative of this type of Re compounds, the propargylic group bearing complex [ReBr(CO(3))(H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)C&tbd1;CH)] Re2 was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Its molecular structure exhibits a slightly distorted octahedron with facial coordination of the carbonyl ligands. The potentially tetradentate ligand HO-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-OH was reacted with the trinitrato precursor [Re(NO(3))(3)(CO)(3)](2-) to yield a cationic complex [Re(CO)(3)(HO-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-OH)]NO(3) Re8 which shows the coordination of one hydroxy group. Re8 has been characterized by correct elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Ligand exchange reaction of the carboxylic group bearing ligands H(3)C-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-COOH and HOOC-CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-COOH with (NEt(4))(2)[ReBr(3)(CO)(3)] in water and with equimolar amounts of NaOH led to complexes in which the bromide is replaced by the carboxylic group. The X-ray structure analysis of the complex [Re(CO)(3)(OOC-CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-COOH)] Re6 shows the second carboxylic group noncoordinated offering an ideal site for functionalization or coupling a biomolecule. The no-carrier-added preparation of the analogous (99m)Tc(I) carbonyl thioether complexes could be performed using the precursor fac-[(99m)Tc(H(2)O)(3)(CO)(3)](+), with yields up to 90%. The behavior of the chlorine containing (99m)Tc complex [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))] Tc1 in aqueous solution at physiological pH value was investigated. In saline, the chromatographically separated compound was stable for at least 120 min. However, in chloride-free aqueous solution, a water-coordinated cationic species Tc1a of the proposed composition [(99m)Tc(H(2)O)(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))](+) occurred. The cationic charge of the conversion product was confirmed by capillary electrophoresis. By the introduction of a carboxylic group into the thioether ligand as a third donor group, the conversion could be suppressed and thus the neutrality of the complex preserved. Biodistribution studies in the rat demonstrated for the neutral complexes [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(3)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(3))] Tc1 and [(99m)TcCl(CO)(3)(CH(2)-S-CH(2)CH(2)-S-CH(2)-C&tbd1;CH)] Tc2 a significant initial brain uptake (1.03 +/- 0.25% and 0.78 +/- 0.08% ID/organ at 5 min. p.i.). Challenge experiments with glutathione clearly indicated that no transchelation reaction occurs in vivo.

Trends in NMR chemical shifts and ligand mobility of TcO(V) and ReO(V) complexes with aminothiols

Detailed 1H and 13C NMR studies have been conducted in a series of oxotechnetium and oxorhenium complexes with aminothiol ligands ([SNS][S], [SNN][S], [SNNS]) designed as potential radiopharmaceuticals. The results of these studies in combination with others in the literature show that the oxometal core creates an anisotropic environment and affects the chemical shifts of the coordinated ligandbackbone in a consistent way. Protons oriented towards the oxygen appear deshielded relative to their geminals oriented away from the oxygen. In addition, the direction of a side chain (towards or away from the oxometal core) on the ligand backbone is shown to have a major effect on chemical shifts. The fluxional mobility of the ligand in complexes of the [SNS][S] type was also studied by NMR and the free energy of activation delta G(C)double dagger for the conformational inversion of the ligand was calculated from the temperature dependence of the carbon chemical shifts. delta G(C)double dagger was found to depend on the orientation of the side chain present on the coordinated nitrogen. The energy barrier for the inversion is larger for the oxorhenium complexes than for the analogous oxotechnetium complexes.

Glutathione-mediated metabolism of technetium-99m SNS/S mixed ligand complexes: a proposed mechanism of brain retention

Two series of [99mTc](SNS/S) mixed ligand complexes each carrying the N-diethylaminoethyl or the N-ethyl-substituted bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine ligand (SNS) are produced at tracer level using tin chloride as reductant and glucoheptonate as transfer ligand. The identity of [99mTc](SNS/S) complexes is established by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) comparison with authentic rhenium samples. The para substituent R on the phenylthiolate coligand (S) ranges from electron-donating (-NH2) to electron-withdrawing (-NO2) groups, to study complex stability against nucleophiles as a result of N- and R-substitution. The relative resistance of [99mTc](SNS/S) complexes against nucleophilic attack of glutathione (GSH), a native nucleophilic thiol of 2 mM intracerebral concentration, is investigated in vitro by HPLC. The reaction of [99mTc](SNS/S) complexes with GSH is reversible and advances via substitution of the monothiolate ligand by GS- and concomitant formation of the hydrophilic [99mTc](SNS/GS) daughter compound. The N-diethylaminoethyl complexes are found to be more reactive against GSH as compared to the N-ethyl ones. Complex reactivity as a result of R-substitution follows the sequence -NO2 >> -H > -NH2. These in vitro findings correlate well with in vivo distribution data in mice. Thus, brain retention parallels complex susceptibility to GSH attack. Furthermore, isolation of the hydrophilic [99mTc](SNS/GS) metabolite from biological fluids and brain homogenates provides additional evidence that the brain retention mechanism of [99mTc](SNS/S) complexes is GSH-mediated.