The chemistry of rhenium in nuclear medicine

The role of coordination chemistry in the development of copper and rhenium radiopharmaceuticals

There are several isotopes of copper and rhenium that are of interest in the development of new molecular imaging or radiotherapeutic agents. This perspective article highlights the role of coordination chemistry in the design of copper and rhenium radiopharmaceuticals engineered to selectively target tissue of interest such as cancer cells or pathological features associated with Alzheimer's disease. The coordination chemistry of copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) derivatives and copper macrocyclic complexes is discussed in terms of their potential application as targeted positron emission tomography tracers for non-invasive diagnostic imaging. A range of rhenium complexes with different ligands with rhenium in different oxidation states are introduced and their potential to be translated to new radiotherapeutic agents discussed.

Bifunctional coupling agents for radiolabeling of biomolecules and target-specific delivery of metallic radionuclides

Receptor-based radiopharmaceuticals are of great current interest in molecular imaging and radiotherapy of cancers, and provide a unique tool for target-specific delivery of radionuclides to the diseased tissues. In general, a target-specific radiopharmaceutical can be divided into four parts: targeting biomolecule (BM), pharmacokinetic modifying (PKM) linker, bifunctional coupling or chelating agent (BFC), and radionuclide. The targeting biomolecule serves as a "carrier" for specific delivery of the radionuclide. PKM linkers are used to modify radiotracer excretion kinetics. BFC is needed for radiolabeling of biomolecules with a metallic radionuclide. Different radiometals have significant difference in their coordination chemistry, and require BFCs with different donor atoms and chelator frameworks. Since the radiometal chelate can have a significant impact on physical and biological properties of the target-specific radiopharmaceutical, its excretion kinetics can be altered by modifying the coordination environment with various chelators or coligand, if needed. This review will focus on the design of BFCs and their coordination chemistry with technetium, copper, gallium, indium, yttrium and lanthanide radiometals.

Thiol- and thioether-based bifunctional chelates for the {M(CO)3}+ core (M = Tc, Re)

By analogy to the recently described single amino acid chelate (SAAC) technology for complexation of the {M(CO)3}+ core (M = Tc, Re), a series of tridentate ligands containing thiolate and thioether groups, as well as amino and pyridyl nitrogen donors, have been prepared: (NC5H4CH2)2NCH2CH2SEt (L1); (NC5H4CH2)2NCH2CH2SH (L2); NC5H4CH2N(CH2CH2SH)2 (L3); (NC5H4CH2)N(CH2CH2SH)(CH2CO2R) [R = H (L4); R = -C2H5 (L5). The {Re(CO)3}+ core complexes of L1-L5 were prepared by the reaction of [Re(CO)3(H2O)3]Br or [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] with the appropriate ligand in methanol and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and in the case of [Re(CO)3(L2)] (Re-2) and [Re(CO)3(L1)Re(CO)3Br2] (Re-1a) by X-ray crystallography. The structure of Re-2 consists of discrete neutral monomers with a fac-Re(CO)3 coordination unit and the remaining coordination sites occupied by the amine, pyridyl, and thiolate donors of L2, leaving a pendant pyridyl arm. In contrast, the structure of Re-1a consists of discrete binuclear units, constructed from a {Re(CO)3(L1)}+ subunit linked to a {Re(CO)3Br2}- group through the sulfur donor of the pendant thioether arm. The series of complexes establishes that thiolate donors are effective ligands for the {M(CO)3}+ core and that a qualitative ordering of the coordination preferences of the core may be proposed: pyridyl nitrogen approximately thiolate > carboxylate > thioether sulfur > thiophene sulfur. The ligands L1 and L2 react cleanly with [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ in H2O/DMSO to give [99mTc(CO)3(L1)]+ (99m)Tc-1) and [99mTc(CO)3(L2)] (99mTc-2), respectively, in ca. 90% yield after HPLC purification. The Tc analogues 99mTc-1 and 99mTc-2 were subjected to ligand challenges by incubating each in the presence of 1000-fold excesses of both cysteine and histidine. The radiochromatograms showed greater than 95% recovery of the complexes.

Developing the {M(CO)3}+ Core for Fluorescence Applications: Rhenium Tricarbonyl Core Complexes with Benzimidazole, Quinoline, and Tryptophan Derivatives

Tridentate ligands derived from benzimidazole, quinoline, and tryptophan have been synthesized, and their reactions with [NEt4]2[Re(CO)3Br3] have been investigated. The complexes 1-4 and 6 and 7 exhibit fac-{Re(CO)3N3} coordination geometry in the cationic molecular units, while 5 exhibits fac-{Re(CO)3N2O} coordination for the neutral molecular unit, where N3 and N2O refer to the ligand donor groups. The ligands bis(1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (L1), [bis(1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amino]acetic acid ethyl ester (L2), [bis(1-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-ylmethy)amino]acetic acid methyl ester (L3), [bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amino]acetic acid methyl ester (L4), 3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]propionic acid (L5), 2-[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)propionic acid (L6), and 2-[bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)amino]-3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)propionic acid (L7) were obtained in good yields and characterized by elemental analysis, 1D and 2D NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The rhenium complexes were obtained in 70-85% yields and characterized by elemental analysis, 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, IR, UV, and luminescence spectroscopy, as well as X-ray crystallography for [Re(CO)3(L1)]Br (1), {[Re(CO)3(L2)]Br}2.NEt4Br . 8.5H2O (3(2).NEt4Br . 8.5H2O), [Re(CO)3(L4)]Br (4), and [Re(CO)3(L6)]Br (6). Crystal data for C21H19BrN5O3Re (1): monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.1851(5) A, b = 16.1292(7) A, c = 10.2689(4) A, beta = 99.353(1) degrees , V = 2154.8(2) A3, Z = 4. Crystal data for C56H73Br3N11O18.50 Re2 (3(2).NEt4Br . 8.5H2O): monoclinic, C2/c, a = 34.7760(19) A, b = 21.1711(12) A, c = 20.3376(11) A, beta = 115.944(1) degrees , V = 13464.5(1) A3, Z = 8. Crystal data for C26H21BrN3O5Re (4): monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 16.6504(6) A, b = 10.1564(4) A, c = 14.6954(5) A, beta = 96.739(1) degrees , V = 2467.9(2) A3, Z = 4. Crystal data for C27H24BrN4O5Re (6): monoclinic, P2(1), a = 8.7791(9) A, b = 16.312(2) A, c = 8.9231(9) A, beta = 90.030(1) degrees , V = 1277.8(2) A3, Z = 2.

99mTc/188Re-labelled lipid nanocapsules as promising radiotracers for imaging and therapy: formulation and biodistribution

PURPOSE

This study focuses on a promising carrier system for imaging and therapeutic purposes using lipid nanocapsules. To assess their potential for clinical use, we labelled nanocapsules with (99m)Tc and (188)Re and analysed some kinetic biodistribution parameters after intravenous injection in rats.

METHODS

Lipophilic complexes [(99m)Tc/(188)Re(S(3)CPh)(2)(S(2)CPh)] ((99m)Tc/(188)Re-SSS) were encapsulated within the nanoparticles during their manufacture with quantitative yield and satisfactory radiochemical purity. Rats were injected intravenously with 3.7 MBq (99m)Tc/(188)Re-labelled nanocapsules and sacrificed at 5, 15 and 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h.

RESULTS

Dynamic scintigraphic acquisitions showed predominant hepatic uptake, and ex vivo counting indicated a long circulation time of labelled nanocapsules, with a half-life of 21+/-1 min for (99m)Tc and 22+/-2 min for (188)Re. Very weak urinary elimination was observed, indicating good stability of (99m)Tc and (188)Re labelling.

CONCLUSION

(99m)Tc/(188)Re-SSS nanocapsules can be obtained with high yield and satisfactory radiochemical purity. The biodistributions of (99m)Tc/(188)Re-labelled nanocapsules are close to those of classical PEG-coated particles and show good stability of (188)Re/(99m)Tc-SSS labelling.

New directions in the coordination chemistry of 99mTc: a reflection on technetium core structures and a strategy for new chelate design

Bifunctional chelates offer a general approach for the linking of radioactive metal cations to macromolecules. In the specific case of 99mTc, a variety of technologies have been developed for assembling a metal-chelate-biomolecule complex. An evaluation of these methodologies requires an appreciation of the coordination characteristics and preferences of the technetium core structures and oxidation states, which serve as platforms for the development of the imaging agent. Three technologies, namely, the MAG3-based bifunctional chelates, the N-oxysuccinimidylhydrazino-nicotinamide system and the recently described single amino acid chelates for the {Tc(CO)3}1+ core, are discussed in terms of the fundamental coordination chemistry of the technetium core structures. In assessing the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, we conclude that the single amino acid analogue chelates (SAAC), which are readily conjugated to small peptides by solid-phase synthesis methods and which form robust complexes with the {Tc(CO)3}1+ core, offer an effective alternative to the previously described methods.

Novel Rhenium(V) Oxo Complexes Containing Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate and Bis(pyrazol-1-yl) Sulfonate as Tripodal N,N,O-heteroscorpionate Ligands

Reactions of [NBu4][Re(O)Cl4] with bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane (bpzm) and bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate (Hbpza) and with the lithium salts lithium [bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate] (Libdmpza) and lithium [bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methanesulfonate] (Libdmpzs) produce a series of new compounds containing either a kappa2-N,N bidentate pyrazolyl ligand [Re(O)(bpzm)Cl3 (1), Re(O)(bpzm)(OMe)Cl2 (2), Re(O)(bpzaOMe)(OMe)Cl2 (4)] or a kappa3-N,N,O heteroscorpionate [Re(O)(bpza)Cl2 (3), Re(O)(bdmpza)Cl2 isomers 5 and 6, Re(O)(bdmpza)(OMe)Cl (7), Re(O)(bdmpza)(OEt)Cl (8), Re(O)(bdmpzs)(OMe)Cl (9), Re(O)(bdmpzs)(OEt)Cl (10)]. X-ray analyses of 1 and 3 show in both cases a distorted octahedral environment around the rhenium atom. The nature and the geometry of the products are strongly determined by the reaction solvent and by the heteroscorpionate ligand itself. When scorpionates bear methylated pyrazolyl rings mixed heterocomplexes Re(O)(bdmpza)(glycol) (11) and Re(O)(bdmpzs)(glycol) (12) are obtained (H2glycol = ethylene glycol). Also 11 shows an octahedral geometry as assessed by X-ray study.

Site directed maleimide bifunctional chelators for the M(CO)3+ core (M =99mTc, Re)

A series of bifunctional chelates containing a tridentate donor set for complexation of the M(CO)3+ core and a maleimide group for site-specific coupling to peptides and proteins containing free thiol groups has been prepared and their Re(CO)3+ complexes and glutathione conjugates structurally characterized. The flexibility of design allows preparation of ligands suitable for both fluorescence imaging, radioimaging and radiotherapeutic studies of proteins and peptides as well as other biopolymers using site specific conjugation.

Unusual Reactivity of the {ReVO}3+ Core: Syntheses and Characterization of Novel Rhenium Halide Complexes with N-Methyl-o-diaminobenzene

The reactions of 1 or 2 equiv of N-methyl-o-diaminobenzene with trans-[ReOX(3)(PPh(3))(2)] (X = Cl, Br) in refluxing chloroform gave oxo-free rhenium complexes [Re(VI)X(4)(NC(6)H(4)NHCH(3))(OPPh(3))] (X = Cl, 3; X = Br, 6), [Re(V)X(2)Y(NC(6)H(4)NHCH(3))(PPh(3))(2)] (X, Y = Cl, 4; X = Br, Y = Cl, 7), [Re(IV)Cl(2)(NHC(6)H(4)NCH(3))(2)] (5), and [Re(IV)Br(3)(NHC(6)H(4)NCH(3))(PPh(3))] (8). All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, EPR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The complexes all display distorted octahedral coordination geometry. For Re(IV) complexes 5 and 8, the ligands coordinate in the benzosemiquinone diimine form. In Re(VI) complexes 3 and 6 and the Re(V) complexes 4 and 7, the ligands coordinate in the dianionic monodentate imido form. The EPR spectra of Re(VI) species 3 and 6 in dichloromethane solution at room temperature exhibit the characteristic hyperfine pattern of six lines, with evidence of strong second-order effects. The IR spectra of the complexes are characterized by Re=N and Re-N stretching bands at ca. 1090 and 540 cm(-)(1), respectively. The Re(IV) and Re(V) complexes display well-resolved NMR spectra, while the Re(VI) complexes exhibit no observable spectra, due to paramagnetism. The cyclic voltammograms of complexes 3 and 6 display Re(VII)/ Re(VI) and Re(VI)/Re(V) processes, those of 4 and 7 exhibit Re(VI)/Re(V) and Re(V)/Re(IV) couples, and those of 5 and 8 are characterized by Re(V)/Re(IV) and Re(IV)/Re(III) processes.

Contribution of electrospray mass spectrometry for the characterization, design, and development of nitrido technetium and rhenium heterocomplexes as potential radiopharmaceuticals

Diagnostic nuclear medicine (NM) is among the imaging procedures (together with X-ray, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance, and echography) the clinicians can routinely adopt to image organs or tissues and related disorders. (99m)Tc-based agents are the radiopharmaceuticals of election in diagnostic NM because of the ideal physical properties of the 99mTc nuclide (t1/2 6.01 hr; Egamma 142 keV), low cost, and easy availability through the commercial 99Mo/99mTc generator, and chemical versatility of the element. In the last two decades the synergistic work of clinics, pharmacologists, and coordination chemists has had a tremendous impact in the development of new 99mTc-based radiopharmaceuticals through the recognition of the structure at the molecular level of the agent utilized. This has been achieved by studying the physico-chemical properties of the long-lived 99gTc (t1/2 2.11 x 10(5) year; Ebeta 292 keV) and third-row congener Re isostructural compounds. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and collision experiments (MS/MS) represent valuable analytical techniques suitable for the characterization of both technetium and rhenium complexes relevant to NM. Unequivocal structural identification of these bioinorganic compounds, either simple coordination complexes ("essential radiopharmaceuticals") or more sophisticated structures carrying bioactive fragments ("receptor-specific" radiopharmaceuticals), can be realized in combination with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. MS/MS experiments provide useful information on the different metal-ligand bond strength, and comparison of the fragmentation profiles of isostructural technetium and rhenium compounds give additional details on the role played by the metal in determining preferred decomposition channels. The analysis of these data contribute to design novel synthetic strategies for the obtainment of technetium and rhenium compounds relevant to NM. The chemistry underlying the production of a new class of potential radiopharmaceuticals including a terminal nitrogen bond and a mixed coordination sphere comprising heterodiphosphines and/or dithiocarbamates (DTC) is presented in detail together with the ESI-MS and MS/MS investigations.

Electrospray mass spectrometry of a series of mixed nitrido 99gTc- heterocomplexes conjugated with bioactive molecules

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was successfully employed for the identification of six nitrido technetium mixed ligand complexes with a general formula of [99gTc(N)(O,S-BID)(PNP)], where PNP represents a heterodiphosphine and O,S-BID represents a simple dianionic bidentate ligand (compounds 1-3) or a more sophisticated N-substituted O,S-cysteine framework conjugated with a bio- active molecule (BAM) (compounds 4-6). In spite of similar coordination spheres exhibited by all the complexes investigated, simple co-ordination compounds 1-3 displayed collisionally-induced fragmentation processes (MSn) different from those observed in biomolecule-containing compounds 4-6. In the latter, more decomposition channels were observed. This behavior is likely to be associated with some additional intramolecular contacts of the biomolecule (or part of the biomolecule) with pendant group(s) incorporated in the PNP-co-ligand. This view is further supported by the observations arising from both in vitro binding affinity experiments and nuclear magnetic resonance investigations. The presence of cationized forms for all compounds 1-6 and the practical lack of the [2M + Na]+ species for biomolecule-containing compounds 4-6 provided further evidence of a subtly different structural conformation.

Diazenide and hydrazide(2−) derivatives of the [Re(CO)3]+core

Reaction of [ReBr3(CO)3]2- with aryldiazonium salts gives the Re(iii) diazenide complexes [ReBr2(NNC6H4R-4)(CO)2]-. The attachment of a PhNHCS tethering group to pyridyl hydrazine generates a HYNIC related proligand which gives a stable chelated pyridyliumthiocarbazide(2-) derivative of the [Re(I)(CO)3]+ core.

Bifunctional single amino acid chelates for labeling of biomolecules with the [Tc(CO)(3)](+) and [Re(CO)(3)](+) cores. Crystal and molecular structures of [ReBr(CO)(3)(H(2)NCH(2)C(5)H(4)N)], [Re(CO)(3)[(C(5)H(4)NCH(2))(2)NH]]Br, [Re(CO)(3)[(C(5)H(4)NCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CO(2)H]]Br, [Re(CO)(3)[X(Y)NCH(2)CO(2)CH(2)CH(3)]]Br (X = Y = 2-pyridylmethyl; X = 2-pyridylmethyl, Y = 2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl; X = Y = 2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl), [ReBr(CO)(3)[(C(5)H(4)NCH(2))NH(CH(2)C(4)H(3)S)]], and [Re(CO)(3)[(C(5)H(4)NCH(2))N(CH(2)C(4)H(3)S)(CH(2)CO(2))]]

The reactions of a series of potentially tridentate ligands, derived from single amino acids or amino acid analogues, with [NEt(4)](2)[ReBr(3)(CO)(3)] have been investigated. The model compounds [Re(CO)(3)Br[(2-pyridylmethyl)NH(2)]] (1) and [Re(CO)(3)[(2-pyridylmethyl)(2)NH]]Br (2) were also prepared and structurally characterized. With ligands possessing two pyridyl appendages, (2-pyridylmethyl)(2)NX (X = -CH(2)CO(2)H, -CH(2)CO(2)Et, -CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H, -CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)Et, -CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(NHCO(2)(t)Bu)CO(2)H), complexes of the type [Re(CO)(3)(ligand)]Br (3-6) were isolated. All possess the fac-[Re(CO)(3)N(3)] coordination geometry in the cationic molecular unit. Similarly, the ligands with the imidazolyl arms (2-pyridylmethyl)[2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl]NCH(2)CO(2)Et and [2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl](2)NCH(2)CO(2)Et, complexes 7 and 8 of the same [Re(CO)(3)(ligand)]Br type, were prepared. Replacement of one pyridyl arm with a thiophene group yielded the complex [Re(CO)(3)[(2-pyridylmethyl)N(CH(2)CO(2))(2-thiophenemethyl)]] (9), while additional substitution of X = -H for -CH(2)CO(2)H yielded [Re(CO)(3)Br[(2-pyridylmethyl)NH(2-thiophenemethyl)]] (10). In both 9 and 10, the thiophene is uncoordinated and pendant, and the derivatives display fac-[Re(CO)(3)N(2)O] and fac-[Re(CO)(3)N(2)Br] coordination geometries, respectively. Crystal data: C(9)H(8)BrN(2)O(3)Re (1), triclinic P1, a = 8.156(1) A, b = 12.077(1) A, c = 12.945(2) A, alpha = 92.183(3) degrees, beta = 107.848(3) degrees, gamma = 100.955(7) degrees, V = 1185.1(3) A, Z = 4; C(15)H(13)BrN(3)O(3)Re (2), tetragonal P4(1), a = 8.6095(3) A, c = 22.228(1) A, V = 1646.9(1) A(3), Z = 4; C(17)H(14)BrN(3)O(5)Re.CH(3)OH (3), monoclinic P2(1)/m, a = 7.4425(3) A, b = 9.7596(4) A, c = 14.0646(6) A, beta = 97.753(1) degrees, V = 1012.26(7) A(3), Z = 2; C(19)H(19)BrN(3)O(5)Re (4), tetragonal P42(1)c, a = 16.895(3) A, c = 15.042(3) A, V = 4293.7(13) A(3), Z = 8; C(18)H(20)BrN(4)O(5)Re.CH(3)OH.H(2)O (7), monoclinic P2(1)/c, a = 10.2816(4) A, b = 30.386(1) A, c = 14.5810(6) A, beta = 99.868(1) degrees, V = 4488.03(3) A(3), Z = 8; C(17)H(21)BrN(5)O(5)Re.0.5CH(2)Cl(2).0.5H(2)O (8), triclinic P1, a = 11.5363(6) A, b = 13.1898(6) A, c = 16.4933(8) A, alpha = 89.356(1) degrees, beta = 74.907(1) degrees, gamma = 76.216(1) degrees, V = 2349.8(2) A(3), Z = 4; C(16)H(13)N(2)O(5)ReS (9), monoclinic P2(1)/c, a = 17.2072(7) A, b = 8.5853(4) A, c = 11.5607(5) A, beta = 101.73(1) degrees, V = 1672.2(1) A(3), Z = 4; and C(14)H(12)N(2)O(3)BrReS (10), triclinic P1, a = 7.5585(3) A, b = 9.7713(4) A, c = 11.7103(4) A, alpha = 109.566(1) degrees, beta = 98.298(1) degrees, gamma = 100.925(1) degrees, V = 779.73(5) A(3), Z = 2.

Oxorhenium phosphinophenolato complexes with model peptide fragments: synthesis, characterization, and stability considerations

The synthesis and characterization of a series of mixed-ligand oxorhenium(V) complexes containing the o-diphenylphosphinophenolato ligand (HL) and model peptide fragments acting as the tridentate coligand are reported. Thus, by reacting equimolar amounts of tiopronin, Gly-Gly, Gly-L-Phe, or glutathione (GSH) peptides on the [(n-C4H9)4N][ReOCl3(L)] precursor in refluxing MeCN/MeOH or aqueous MeCN/MeOH mixtures, the following complexes were obtained: ReO([SC(CH3)CONCH2COO][L])[(n-C4H9)4N], 1, ReO([H2NCH2CONCH2COO][L]), 2, ReO)[H2NCH2CONCH(CH2C6H5)COO][L]), 3, and ReO([SCH2CH(NHCOCH2CH2CHNH2COOH)CONCH2COO][L])Na, 4. The compounds are closed-shell 18-electron oxorhenium species adopting a distorted octahedral geometry, as demonstrated by classical spectroscopical methods including multinuclear NMR. X-ray diffraction analyses for 1 and 2 are also reported. By comparative stability studies of complexes 1-3 against excess GSH it was shown that complex 3 containing the bulky C6H5CH2 substituent adjacent to the coordinated carboxylate group of Phe is the most stable complex.