Effect of Water on Direct Radioiodination of Small Molecules/Peptides Using Copper-Mediated Iododeboronation in Water-Alcohol Solvent

Mechanistic Insights into the Effect of Sodium Iodide on Copper-Mediated Iododeboronation

The copper-catalyzed Chan-Evans-Lam (CEL) coupling reaction advances carbon-heteroatom cross-coupling and has facilitated the development of radiohalogenation methodologies in radiochemistry. This study investigated the mechanisms and side reactions of CEL iodination under conditions relevant to radiosynthesis and typical organic synthesis, focusing on the effects of sodium iodide. The concentrations of copper and iodide, as well as the copper-to-iodide ratio, were identified as significant factors for successful copper-mediated CEL iodination, influencing the reaction mechanisms and side reactions. Excess iodide relative to the copper salt led to the formation of poorly soluble iodinated copper(I) complexes that competed with that of the desired aryl iodide. Additionally, the predominant copper complex involved in the catalytic cycle differed between the early and late stages of the reaction, depending on the copper-to-iodide ratio. The results of this study indicate that the specialized radiosynthesis conditions meet the requirements for efficient CEL iodination. In particular, an extremely low concentration of iodide is optimal for CEL iodination. These in-depth mechanistic insights not only provide a detailed comparison of CEL iodination across radiochemistry and synthetic organic chemistry but can also inspire the development of novel (radio)iodination methods.

Synthesis Principle and Practice with Radioactive Iodines and Astatine: Advances Made So Far

Radioactive iodines and astatine, possessing distinct exploitable nuclear properties, play indispensable roles in the realms of nuclear imaging and therapy. Their analogous chemical characteristics shape the design, preparation, and substrate range for tracers labeled with these radiohalogens through interconnected radiosynthetic chemistry. This perspective systematically explores the labeling methods by types of halogenating reagents─nucleophilic and electrophilic─underpinning the rational design of such compounds. It delves into the rapidly evolving synthetic strategies and reactions in radioiodination and radioastatination over the past decade, comparing their intrinsic relationships and highlighting variations. This comparative analysis illuminates potential radiosynthetic methods for exploration. Moreover, stability concerns related to compounds labeled with radioactive iodines and astatine are addressed, offering valuable insights for radiochemists and physicians alike.

Development of Small HN Linked Radionuclide Iodine-125 for Nanocarrier Image Tracing in Mouse Model

Background

Radionuclides have important roles in clinical tumor radiotherapy as they are used to kill tumor cells or as imaging agents for drug tracing. The application of radionuclides has been developing as an increasing number of nanomaterials are used to deliver radionuclides to tumor areas to kill tumor cells. However, promoting the efficient combination of radionuclides and nanocarriers (NCs), enhancing radionuclide loading efficiency, and avoiding environmental pollution caused by radionuclide overuse are important challenges that hinder their further development.

Methods

In the present study, a new small molecule compound (3-[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-carbonyl] amino]-alanine, abbreviation: HN, molecular formula: C12H16N2O5) was synthesized as a linker between radionuclide iodine-125 (125I) and NCs to enable a more efficient binding between NCs and radionuclides.

Results

In vitro evidence indicated that the linker was able to bind 125I with higher efficiency (labeling efficiency >80%) than that of tyrosine, as well as various NCs, such as cellulose nanofibers, metal oxide NCs, and graphene oxide. Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography imaging demonstrated the biological distribution of 125I-labeled NCs in different organs/tissues after administration in mice.

Conclusion

These results showed an improvement in radionuclide labeling efficiency for nanocarriers and provided an approach for nanocarrier image tracing.

One-pot two-step radioiodination based on copper-mediated iododeboronation and azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction

This methodology demonstrates the ability to sequentially regulate copper-mediated radioiododeboronation and an azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction, which facilitates the continuous incorporation of reagents into the reaction system and mediates the integration of the purification steps into the final process. Additionally, this reaction is suited to be conducted under mild conditions and yields target compounds through potent radiochemical conversions.

A practical protocol for large-scale copper-mediated radioiodination of organoboronic precursors: Radiosynthesis of [123 I]KX-1 for Auger radiotherapy

Nucleophilic copper-mediated radioiodination (CMRI) of organoboronic precursors with radioiodides is a promising method of radioiodination. The previously reported CMRI has demonstrated its great potential and scope of labeling for the radiosynthesis of radioiodine-labeled compounds. However, the reported protocols (using a small amount/volume of radioactivity) are practically not reproducible in large-scale CMRI, in which the radioactivity was usually provided in a bulk alkaline solution. A large amount of water and a strong base are incompatible with CMRI. To overcome these issues in large-scale CMRI, we have developed a simple protocol for large-scale CMRI. The bulk water was removed under a flow of inert gas at 110°C, and the strong base (i.e., NaOH) was neutralized with an acid, pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonic acid. In the model reactions of [123 I]KX-1, a PARP-1 radioligand for Auger radiotherapy, radiochemical conversions were significantly improved after neutralization of the base, and the addition of additional acids was tolerated and favorable for the reactions. Using this protocol, [123 I]KX-1 was radiosynthesized from 20 mCi (0.74 GBq) of [123 I]iodide in high radiochemical yields, high radiochemical purity, and high molar activity. This protocol should be applicable to the radiosynthesis of other compounds with radioiodine via CMRI.

Mechanism of Cu-Catalyzed Iododeboronation: A Description of Ligand-Enabled Transmetalation, Disproportionation, and Turnover in Cu-Mediated Oxidative Coupling Reactions

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the mechanism of the Cu-catalyzed arylboronic acid iododeboronation reaction. A combination of structural and density functional theory (DFT) analyses has allowed determination of the identity of the reaction precatalyst with insight into each step of the catalytic cycle. Key findings include a rationale for ligand (phen) stoichiometry related to key turnover events-the ligand facilitates transmetalation via H-bonding to an organoboron boronate generated in situ and phen loss/gain is integral to the key oxidative events. These data provide a framework for understanding ligand effects on these key mechanistic processes, which underpin several classes of Cu-mediated oxidative coupling reactions.