Synthesis and Characterization of Oxotechnetium(V) Mixed-Ligand Complexes Containing a Tridentate N-Substituted Bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine and a Monodentate Thiol

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 evaluation of technetium-99m labelled 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine derivative for single photon emission computed tomography imaging for targeting 5-HT1A

Quantitative changes in expression level of 5HT_1A are somewhere related to common neurological disorders such as anxiety, major depression and schizophrenia. We have designed EDTA conjugated SPECT imaging probe for localization of 5HT_1A receptor in brain. For designing SPECT probe we have employed the concept of bivalent approach and a homodimeric system with desirable pharmacokinetics of 5HT_1A imaging. ^99mTc-EDHT was also evaluated for its stability through serum stability assay and glutathione challenge experiment. Biodistribution study showed the highest accumulation of radioactivity in kidney which depicted the renal mode of excretion from the body. However in brain the uptake of 1.21% ID per gram was observed in initial 5 min of drug administration. On blocking the receptor this percent get decreased to 0.97% ID per gram. The regional distribution in brain was also performed which showed the accumulation of drug in cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus part, which are already known for 5HT_1A expression. Dynamic study in rabbit is also in support of results derived from biodistribution and blood kinetics experiment. These finding suggest that ^99mTc-EDHT holds promising place for further optimization before nuclear medicine applications in different animal species.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of (thiolato)bismuth complexes as potential water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts

We have synthesized bismuth complexes incorporating polydentate mono- and di-thiolate ligands and examined their utility as water-tolerant Lewis acid catalysts. The reaction of Bi(OAc)3 or Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and the corresponding mono- or di-thiol(ate) yielded the compounds [(SNNS)Bi(OAc)] (4), [(SNNSPr)Bi(OAc)] (5), [(NNS2)Bi(OAc)] (6), [(ONS2)Bi(OAc)] (7), [(ONS2)Bi(NO3)] (8), and [(NNS)2Bi][NO3] (9) [H2(SNNS) = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethylenediamine; H2(SNNSPr) = N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)propanediamine; H2(NNS2) = N,N-diethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine; H2(ONS2) = 2-methoxyethyl-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)amine; H(NNS) = N,N-diethyl-N′-(2-mercaptoethyl)ethanediamine]. The solid-state structures of 4–8 show similar distorted pentagonal pyramidal geometries at the bismuth centre with a thiolate sulfur atom in the axial site, whereas 8 shows second structural arrangement with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry at bismuth. The cation of 9 shows two NNS-bonded ligands and a distorted octahedral geometry at bismuth. Two-dimensional NMR studies of 4–8 show geminal 1H coupling in –SCH2CH2N– groups and suggests strong dative Bi–N intramolecular interactions. Bi(NO3)3·5H2O and BiCl3 show high activity toward the esterification of stearic acid, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, and 4–7 and 9 show high activity toward the transesterification of methyl stearate in butanol, and 7 shows moderate activity as a catalyst for the transesterification of glyceryl trioctanoate in methanol.

188Re(V) Nitrido Radiopharmaceuticals for Radionuclide Therapy

The favorable nuclear properties of rhenium-188 for therapeutic application are described, together with new methods for the preparation of high yield and stable ¹⁸⁸Re radiopharmaceuticals characterized by the presence of the nitride rhenium core in their final chemical structure. ¹⁸⁸Re is readily available from an ¹⁸⁸W/¹⁸⁸Re generator system and a parallelism between the general synthetic procedures applied for the preparation of nitride technetium-99m and rhenium-188 theranostics radiopharmaceuticals is reported. Although some differences between the chemical characteristics of the two metallic nitrido fragments are highlighted, it is apparent that the same general procedures developed for the labelling of biologically active molecules with technetium-99m can be applied to rhenium-188 with minor modification. The availability of these chemical strategies, that allow the obtainment, in very high yield and in physiological condition, of ¹⁸⁸Re radiopharmaceuticals, gives a new attractive prospective to employ this radionuclide for therapeutic applications.

Design and evaluation of “3 + 1” mixed ligand oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes bearing a nitroaromatic group with potential application in nuclear medicine oncology

The synthesis and evaluation of a series of oxotechnetium and oxorhenium complexes containing a nitroaromatic moiety as potential radiopharmaceuticals for targeting tumour hypoxia is presented. 99mTc labelling was performed in high yield (>85%) and radiochemical purity (>90%). Their structure was corroborated by means of the rhenium complexes. Reduction potentials were in the range for bioreducible compounds. 99mTc complexes III-VI were selected for "in vivo" experiments in view of the results of cytotoxicity studies. Biodistribution in normal animals was characterized by high initial blood, lung and liver uptake, fast blood and soft tissue depuration and preferential excretion via the hepatobiliary system. Initial tumour uptake was moderate but tumour/muscle ratios for complexes III and IV, were favourable at all time points. Although the results are encouraging further development is still necessary in order to achieve higher tumour uptake and lower gastrointestinal activity.

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.

Potential use of drug carried-liposomes for cancer therapy via direct intratumoral injection

Liposomes have recognized advantages as nano-particle drug carriers for tumor therapy. In this study, the pharmacokinetics and distribution of intratumorally administered liposomes were investigated as drug carriers for treating solid tumors via direct intratumoral administration. 99mTc-liposomes were administered intratumorally to nude rats bearing human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenografts. Planar gamma camera images were analyzed to evaluate the local retention of the intratumorally administered liposomes. Co-registered pinhole micro-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) images were acquired of the whole animal as well as the dissected tumors to determine intratumoral distribution of the 99mTc-liposomes. For 99mTc-liposomes, there was an initial retention of 47.4 +/- 11.0% (n = 4) in tumors and surrounding tissues. At 20 h, 39.2 +/- 10.6% (n = 4) of 99mTc-activity still remained in the tumor. In contrast, only 18.7 +/- 3.3% (n = 3) of the intratumoral 99mTc-activity remained for unencapsulated 99mTc-complex at 20 h. Pinhole micro-SPECT images demonstrated that 99mTc-liposomes also have a superior intratumoral 99mTc-activity diffusion compared with unencapsulated 99mTc-complex. Higher intratumoral retention of 99mTc-liposomes accompanied by an improved intratumoral diffusion suggests that intratumorally administered liposomal drugs are potentially promising agents for solid tumor local therapy.

Synthesis and Characterization of Thiol Containing Furoxan Derivatives as Coligands for the Preparation of Potential Bioreductive Radiopharmaceuticals

The synthesis and characterization of thiol-containing 1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide (TONO) derivatives and their use as monodentate coligands for the preparation of (99m)Tc complexes is presented. 3-Mercaptomethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide and 3-(4-mercaptophenylmethylidenhydrazinocarbonyloxymethyl)-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide were successfully synthesized and combined with the tridentate ligand N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine (BMEDA) to prepare "3+1 mixed ligand" technetium complexes. The( 99m)Tc complexes were obtained in high yield and radiochemical purity using low concentration of ligand and coligand. An alternative procedure using a xantate and a disulphide precursor of 3-mercaptomethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide yielded the same complex. Biological evaluation of the potentiality of the( 99m)Tc complexes as bioreductive radiopharmaceuticals was performed in normal CD1 mice and in mice bearing induced sarcoma. Tumour uptake was moderate but tumour/soft tissue ratio was favourable. Although these results are encouraging, further development is still necessary in order to achieve higher tumour uptake and lower gastrointestinal activity.

Direct 99mTc labeling of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil) for pharmacokinetic and non-invasive imaging studies

Pharmacokinetic and organ distribution studies of liposomal drugs in humans are a challenge. A direct labeling method using (99m)Tc-N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethyl-ethylenediamine (BMEDA) complex to label the commercially available pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, Doxil, has been introduced. Biodistributions of (99m)Tc-Doxil in normal rats were performed to evaluate the feasibility of using it for monitoring the pharmacokinetics of liposomes encapsulating drugs. Labeling efficiency of (99m)Tc-Doxil was 70.6 +/- 0.8% (n = 3). In vitro incubation of (99m)Tc-Doxil in 50% fetal bovine serum or 50% human serum at 37 degrees C showed good labeling stability with 72.3 +/- 3.6% or 78.6 +/- 1.8% of activity associated with Doxil at 24 h, respectively (n = 3). There was a two-phase blood clearance with half-clearance times of 2.2 and 26.2 h after bolus intravenous injection in normal rats. Distribution of (99m)Tc-Doxil at 44 h after injection had 19.8 +/- 1.3% of injected dose in blood, 14.1 +/- 1.7% in liver, 2.6 +/- 0.3% in spleen, 9.0 +/- 0.8% in bone with marrow, 6.0 +/- 0.5% in skin, and 15.3 +/- 4.3% in bowel (n = 5). Unencapsulated (99m)Tc-BMEDA had a very rapid blood clearance with a half-clearance time of only 0.12 h (n = 4). By using this (99m)Tc labeling method, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of ammonium gradient liposomes encapsulating drugs can be determined by noninvasive scintigraphic imaging. This labeling method may be extended to (186)Re and (188)Re labeling to combine chemotherapy and radionuclide therapy for tumor treatment.

A novel liposome radiolabeling method using 99mTc-"SNS/S" complexes: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Liposomes are important carriers for controlled drug release, for gene or antisense therapy, and for immunization. Radiolabeled liposomes can be used to evaluate the in vivo behavior of different liposome formulations, as well as for diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy. A novel method for radiolabeling liposomes with (99m)Tc-"SNS/S" complexes is introduced. This labeling method can be applied to liposome radiolabeling with not only (99m)Tc but also two therapeutic radionuclides, (186)Re and (188)Re. Liposomes encapsulating glutathione (GSH) were studied for (99m)Tc labeling. N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethyl-ethylenediamine (BMEDA), N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1-butylamine (BMBuA), and benzene thiol (BT) were investigated to make (99m)Tc-"BMEDA", (99m)Tc-"BMEDA + BT", (99m)Tc-"BMBuA", and (99m)Tc-"BMBuA + BT", for liposome labeling. The labeling efficiencies of (99m)Tc-GSH liposomes were from 36.9 to 69.2%. After incubation in serum, (99m)Tc-GSH liposomes labeled with (99m)Tc-"BMEDA" or (99m)Tc-"BMEDA + BT" had the best labeling stability of the formulations tested. Distribution studies after intravenous injection of (99m)Tc-liposomes composed of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cholesterol had a slow blood clearance and a high spleen accumulation demonstrating the in vivo labeling stability of the radiolabeled liposomes. The (99m)Tc-liposomes have great potential as a radiopharmaceutical system for evaluating various kinds of liposomes with different lipid composition, for evaluating in advance a subsequent radionuclide therapy using (186)Re or (188)Re labeled liposomes and for diagnostic imaging.

Synthesis and characterization of rhenium(V) oxo complexes with N-[N-(3-diphenylphosphinopropionyl)glycyl]cysteine methyl ester. X-ray crystal structure of (ReO[Ph(2)P(CH(2))(2)C(O)-Gly-Cys-OMe(P,N,N,S)])

The PN(2)S chelate N-[N-(3-diphenylphosphinopropionyl)glycyl]-S-tritylcysteine methyl ester [PN(2)S(Trt)-OMe] was synthesized and reacted with ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) and Ph(4)P[ReOCl(4)]. The reactions of both tritylated and detritylated ligands with Re(V)O precursors gave two diastereomers, 9a and 9b, of the ReO(PN(2)S-OMe) complex. The two isomers, produced in a 1:1 molar ratio, are stable and do not interconvert. They were separated by reverse-phase HPLC and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, and UV-visible spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. X-ray analysis established for 9a the presence in the solid of the syn isomer. Compound 9a, C(21)H(23)N(2)O(5)PSRe, crystallized from warm acetonitrile in the triclinic space group Ponemacr;, a = 9.828(2) A, b = 11.163(2) A, c = 11.641(2) A, alpha = 106.48(3) degrees, beta = 109.06(3) degrees, gamma = 102.81(3) degrees, V = 1085.7(4) A(3), Z = 2. The PN(2)S coordination set is in the equatorial plane, and the complex shows a distorted square pyramidal coordination. The anti configuration assigned to 9b is consistent with all the available physicochemical data. Follow-up of the reaction of the detritylated ligand with Ph(4)P[ReOCl(4)] in ethanol or acetonitrile indicated that the phosphorus atom of the chelate binds first to the metal and that this bond acts as the driving force for coordination.

Novel oxorhenium and oxotechnetium MO(NS)(S)2 complexes in the development of 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents

The [NS][S](2) mixed-ligand system was applied to synthesize oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes of the general formula MO(o-CH(3)OC(6)H(4)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)S)(p-CH(3)C(6)H(4)S)(2) (M=Re in 1, M=(99)Tc in 2, and M=(99m)Tc in 3). The bidentate [NS] ligand includes the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety which is a fragment of the true 5-HT(1A) antagonist WAY 100635. The oxorhenium complex 1 was prepared by a ligand exchange reaction using ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2) as precursor while [Bu(4)N][(99)TcOCl(4)] and (99)Tc-gluconate were used as precursors in the synthesis of the oxotechnetium-99 complex 2. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Crystallographic analysis of 1 showed that the rhenium coordination geometry is trigonal bipyramidal. The basal plane of the trigonal bipyramid is defined by the oxo group and two sulphur atoms, one belonging to the [NS] ligand and the other to an aromatic thiol, while the apical positions are occupied by the nitrogen of the [NS] ligand and the sulphur of the second aromatic thiol. The oxotechnetium-99 complex 2 has almost identical unit cell parameters to those of the oxorhenium complex 1 indicating, in combination with the other analytical data, that the complexes are isostructural. The binding affinity of the oxorhenium complex 1 for the 5-HT(1A) receptor subtype was determined in rat brain hippocampal preparations (IC(50)=106 nM). The oxotechnetium-99m complex 3 was prepared by a ligand exchange reaction using (99m)Tc-glucoheptonate as the precursor. Its structure was established by comparative HPLC studies using the oxotechnetium-99 complex 2 as a reference. Complex 3 was administered by intravenous injection in rats. At 2 min post injection, 0.153% of the injected dose per gram of tissue was measured in rat 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.

Ester-modified 99mTcO[SN(R)S/S] mixed ligand complexes: synthesis and preliminary evaluation

Two novel 99mTc-(SNS/S) complexes: a mono-ester compound carrying an ethyl ester group on the tridentate ligand, 99mTcO[C(2)H(5)OOCCH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)S)(2)][SC(6)H(4)CH(3)], 3, and a diester compound, carrying a second ethyl ester group on the monodentate ligand, 99mTcO[C(2)H(5)OOCCH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)S)(2)][SC(6)H(4)COOC(2)H(5)], 4, were synthesized. The corresponding oxorhenium(V) complexes, 1 and 2 were also synthesized. Enzymatic hydrolysis demonstrated that 3 remains intact after 10 min incubation while 4 is totally converted to an unidentified hydrophilic complex. Tissue distribution data in mice revealed that both complexes, 3 and 4, exhibit significant initial brain uptake (1.42 and 1.01% of injected dose at 5 minutes post injection respectively) and fast blood clearance.

Novel oxorhenium and oxotechnetium complexes from an aminothiol[NS]/thiol[S] mixed-ligand system

The simultaneous action of a bidentate aminothiol ligand, LnH, (n = 1: (CH3CH2)2NCH2CH2SH and n = 2: C5H10NCH2CH2SH) and a monodentate thiol ligand, LH (LH: p-methoxythiophenol) on a suitable MO (M = Re, 99gTc) precursor results in the formation of complexes of the general formula [MO(Ln)(L)3] (1, 2 for Re and 5. 6 for 99gTc). In solution these complexes gradually transform to [MO(Ln)(L)2] complexes (3, 4 for Re and 7, 8 for 99gTc). The transformation is much faster for oxotechnetium than for oxorhenium complexes. Complexes 1-4, 7, and 8 have been isolated and fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Detailed NMR assignments were made for complexes 3, 4, 7, and 8. X-ray studies have demonstrated that the coordination geometry around rhenium in complex 1 is square pyramidal (tau = 0.06), with four sulfur atoms (one from the L1H ligand and three from three molecules of p-methoxythiophenol) in the basal plane and the oxo group in the apical position. The L1H ligand acts as a monodentate ligand with the nitrogen atom being protonated and hydrogen bonded to the oxo group. The four thiols are deprotonated during complexation resulting in a complex with an overall charge of zero. The coordination geometry around rhenium in complex 4 is trigonally distorted square pyramidal (tau = 0.41), while in the oxotechnetium complex 7 it is square pyramidal (tau = 0.16). In both complexes LnH acts as a bidentate ligand. The NS donor atom set of the bidentate ligand and the two sulfur atoms of the two monodentate thiols define the basal plane, while the oxygen atom occupies the apical position. At the technetium tracer level (99mTc), both types of complexes, [99mTcO(Ln)(L)3] and [99mTcO(Ln)(L)2], are formed as indicated by HPLC. At high ligand concentrations the major complex is [99mTcO(Ln)(L)3], while at low concentrations the predominant complex is [99mTcO(Ln)(L)2]. The complexes [99mTcO(Ln)(L)3] transform to the stable complexes [99mTcO(Ln)(L)2]. This transformation is much faster in the absence of ligands. The complexes [99mTcO(Ln)(L)2] are stable, neutral, and also the predominant product of the reaction when low concentrations of ligands are used, a fact that is very important from the radiopharmaceutical point of view.

Synthesis of oxorhenium(V) and oxotechnetium(V) [SN(R)S/S] mixed ligand complexes containing a phenothiazine moiety on the tridentate SN(R)S ligand

Two oxorhenium and two oxotechnetium [SN(R)S/S] mixed ligand complexes bearing the phenothiazine moiety on the tridentate ligand SN(R)S have been synthesized and characterized. The corresponding complexes at tracer level (99mTc) have also been prepared.

Technetium(V) oxo complexes of substituted propylene diamine dioxime (PnAO) ligands: water-dependent interconversion between syn and anti isomers

99mTc and (99)Tc complexes of PnAO (propylene diamine dioxime) ligands monosubstituted in the 6-position [PnAO-6-R] were prepared and studied. Ligands substituted with an alkyl group or with no substituent (R = H, CH(3), or CH(2)CH(CH(3))(2)), gave only one Tc complex. However, for several other nonalkyl substituents (R = COOCH(3), OH, OCH(3), OCH(2)CH(3), F, CN, NHCOCH(3), and NHCOCH(2)CH(3)), two Tc complexes A and B were formed. Products A and B were assigned to the anti and syn TcO(PnAO-6-R) species, respectively, based on (1)H NMR results. X-ray structure analyses supported these assignments. The A (anti) isomer of TcO(PnAO-6-OH) had the chemical formula TcC(13)H(25)N(4)O(4) and crystallized in an orthorhombic system with space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and Z = 4; a = 12.744(2) A, b = 13.591(2) A, c = 9.976(2) A. The B (syn) isomer of TcO(PnAO-6-CN) had the chemical formula TcC(14)H(24)N(5)O(3) and was a 1:4 mixture of two monoclinic polymorphs: individual rectangular prisms (space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4) and clusters of intergrown twinned rectangular rods (space group Cc, Z = 8). For the prisms, a = 12.457(1) A, b = 13.932(1) A, c = 10.336(1) A, and for the rods, a = 31.344(5) A, b = 6.993(1) A, c = 21.657(2) A. The syn and anti isomers interconverted in the presence of water; nonequilibrium mixtures of epimers remained unchanged under dry conditions. The HPLC behavior under reversed phase conditions was consistent with on-column interconversion (poor resolution), whereas the two isomers were cleanly resolved under drier normal phase conditions. An oxo inversion mechanism involving trans water attack is proposed for the interconversion process. Water also influenced the position of equilibrium of the two isomers. The syn isomer was stabilized in water relative to the anti isomer.

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 and characterization of mixed-ligand oxorhenium complexes with the SNN type of ligand. Isolation of a novel ReO[SN][S][S] complex

A new series of mixed-ligand oxorhenium complexes 4-9, with ligands 1-3 (L1H2) containing the SNN donor set and monodentate thiols as coligands (L2H), is reported. All complexes were synthesized using ReOCl3(PPh3)2 as precursor. They were isolated as crystalline products and characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy. The ligands 1 and 2 (general formula RCH2CH2NHCH2CH2SH, where R = N(C2H5)2 in 1 and pyrrolidin-1-yl in 2) act as tridentate SNN chelates to the ReO3+ core, leaving one open coordination site cis to the oxo group. The fourth coordination site is occupied by a monodentate aromatic thiol which acts as a coligand. Thus, three new "3 + 1" [SNN][S] oxorhenium complexes 4-6 (general formula ReO[RCH2CH2NCH2CH2S][SX], where R = N(C2H5)2 and X = phenyl in 4, R = N(C2H5)2 and X = p-methylphenyl in 5, and R = pyrrolidinlyl and X = p-methylphenyl in 6) were prepared in high yield. Complex 4 adopts an almost perfect square pyramidal geometry (tau = 0.07), while 6 forms a distorted square pyramidal geometry (tau = 0.24). In both complexes 4 and 6, the basal plane is formed by the SNN donor set of the tridentate ligand and the S of the monodentate thiol. On the other hand, the ligand 3, [(CH3)2CH]2NCH2CH2NHCH2CH2SH, acts as a bidentate ligand, probably due to steric hindrance, and it coordinates to the ReO3+ core through the SN atoms, leaving two open coordination sites cis to the oxo group. These two vacant positions are occupied by two molecules of the monodentate thiol coligand, producing a novel type of "2 + 1 + 1" [SN][S][S] oxorhenium mixed-ligand complexes 7-9 (general formula ReO[[(CH3)2CH]2NCH2CH2NHCH2CH2S][SX][SX], where X = phenyl in 7, p-methylphenyl in 8, and benzyl in 9). The coordination sphere about rhenium in 7 and 8 consists of the SN donor set of ligand 3, two sulfurs of the two monodentate thiols, and the doubly bonded oxygen atom in a trigonally distorted square pyramidal geometry (tau = 0.44 and 0.45 for 7 and 8, respectively). Detailed NMR assignments were determined for complexes 5 and 8.

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.

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.

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.

Characterization and preliminary evaluation of ester-modified technetium-99m SNS/S mixed ligand complexes as potential brain perfusion agents

Two novel [99mTc](SNS/S) mixed ligand complexes carrying a pendant ester function on the monothiolate coligand were synthesized. The corresponding oxorhenium and [99gTc]oxotechnetium complexes prepared at the macroscopic level and chemically characterized were used for structure assignment of [99mTc](SNS/S) complexes prepared at the nanomolar level. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pendant ester group of [99mTc](SNS/S) mixed ligand complexes by esterase was investigated in vitro and compared with that of the ethyl cysteinate dimer, [99mTc]ECD. Preliminary biodistribution data in mice shows that the complexes are lipophilic and exhibit significant initial uptake in rodent brain.

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.

Integrated "3+1" oxorhenium(V) complexes as estrogen mimics

The diagnosis and staging of breast cancer could be improved by the development of imaging radiopharmaceuticals that provide a noninvasive determination of the estrogen receptor (ER) status of tumor cells. Toward this goal, we have synthesized a number of integrated "3+1" oxorhenium(V) complexes designed to mimic estradiol and a class of nonsteroidal estrogens, the tetrahydrochrysenes (THC). The monodentate component of the estradiol mimic is a p-hydroxyphenethyl thiol ligand with ethyl substituents at the benzylic and homobenzylic positions. Model complexes of this ligand were easily made, but steric hindrance of the secondary thiol prevented the formation of the complex with the disubstituted ligand. The three "3+1" oxorhenium(V) complexes prepared to mimic the THC class mimics represent the first pyridinedithiol rhenium complexes of their kind to be made. These complexes are quite stable to air and moisture. The target tridentate ligand was prepared from chelidamic acid, and the VT NMR of the rhenium complex displays interesting fluxional behavior. The binding affinities of these complexes for the estrogen receptor are low, and their lipophilicities are rather high. Nevertheless, our findings provide a further refinement of our understanding of ligand structure-binding affinity correlations for the estrogen receptor.

Recent applications of high-performance liquid chromatography to the analysis of metal complexes

Interest in metal complexes in modern inorganic chemistry has resulted in increasing demands for the analysis of these compounds. This paper reviews the most recent applications of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to the analysis of metal complexes. The review centres on the use of the technique in metal complex syntheses, reactions, characterizations and complexations and retention behaviour of these compounds, as reported in the literature since 1994.

Novel 99mTc aminobisthiolato/monothiolato "3 + 1" mixed ligand complexes: structure-activity relationships and preliminary in vivo validation as brain blood flow imaging agents

A series of neutral, lipophilic 99mTc mixed-ligand complexes of the general formula 99mTcOL1L2, where L1H2 is an N-substituted bis-(2-mercaptoethyl)amine, [X-CH2CH2N(CH2CH2SH)2], [SNS], and L2H is a monodentate thiol (RSH), [S], has been synthesized and evaluated in rodents for potential use in brain blood flow imaging. The complexes were prepared by ligand exchange reaction using 99mTc(V)O-glucoheptonate as precursor and equimolar quantities of the two ligands. In all cases the syn isomer was formed in a high yield, whereas the anti isomer was not always present. The formation of two isomeric complexes-syn and anti-was expected, since the N-substituent (X-CH2CH2N) can assume syn or anti configuration with respect to the 99mTcO3+ core during complexation. One anti and all syn isomers were isolated by HPLC. Their identity was confirmed by comparative HPLC studies with the analogous 99Tc complexes of established structure. In vivo distribution, in particular brain uptake and retention, greatly depended on the type of either tridentate (L1H2) or monodentate (L2H) ligand. All 99mTc complexes showed significant brain uptake in mice (0.78-4.35% injected dose per organ at 5 min postinjection). This initial uptake remained nearly constant for at least 30 min for most of the complexes. Structure-activity relationships of novel 99mTc(V)O SNS/S complexes in mice are reported and discussed. Selected complexes were further studied in rats. High brain uptake, comparable to that of 99mTc-d,l-HMPAO, and sufficient retention 60 min postinjection were provided with complex 18 [X = (C2H5)2N and R = p-CH3OC6H4CH2].

Syn-Anti Isomerism in a Mixed-Ligand Oxorhenium Complex, ReO[SN(R)S][S]

The simultaneous action of the tridentate ligand (C(2)H(5))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)SH)(2) and the monodentate coligand HSC(6)H(4)OCH(3) on a suitable ReO(3+) precursor results in a mixture of syn- and anti-oxorhenium complexes, ReO[(C(2)H(5))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2)S)(2)] [SC(6)H(4)OCH(3)], in a ratio of 25/1. The complexes are prepared by a ligand exchange reaction using ReO(eg)(2) (eg = ethylene glycol), ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2), or Re(V)-citrate as precursor. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-vis, X-ray crystallography, and NMR spectroscopy. The syn isomer C(17)H(29)N(2)O(2)S(3)Re crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 14.109(4) Å, b = 7.518(2) Å, c = 20.900(5) Å, beta = 103.07(1) degrees, V = 2159.4(9) Å(3), Z = 4. The anti isomer C(17)H(29)N(2)O(2)S(3)Re crystallizes in P2(1)/n, a = 9.3850(7) Å, b = 27.979(2) Å, c = 8.3648(6) Å, beta = 99.86(1) degrees, V = 2163.9(3) Å(3), Z = 4. Complete NMR studies show that the orientation of the N substituent chain with respect to the Re=O core greatly influences the observed chemical shifts. Complexes were also prepared at the tracer ((186)Re) level by using (186)Re-citrate as precursor. Corroboration of the structure at tracer level was achieved by comparative HPLC studies.

A New Donor Atom System [(SNN)(S)] for the Synthesis of Neutral Oxotechnetium(V) Mixed-Ligand Complexes

A new approach to the "3 + 1" mixed ligand oxotechnetium complexes of the general formula TcOL1L2, with ligands (L1H(2)) containing the SNN donor set and various monodentate thiols as coligands (L2H) is reported. The ligands L1H(2) (1-3, general formula R(1)CH(2)CH(2)NHCH(2)C(R(2))(2)SH where R(1) = N(CH(3))(2) and R(2) = H in 1, R(1) = pyrrolidin-1-yl and R(2) = H in 2, and R(1) = piperidin-1-yl and R(2) = CH(3) in 3) act as tridentate SNN chelates to the TcO(3+) core, leaving open one coordination site cis to the oxo group. In the presence of a monodentate thiol (L2H) and using (99)Tc(V)-gluconate as precursor, the vacancy is filled by the thiol which acts as the coligand. With this approach four neutral oxotechnetium complexes (4-7, general formula TcO[R(1)CH(2)CH(2)NCH(2)C(R(2))(2)S][SR] where RSH = p-methoxybenzenethiol, or p-methylbenzenethiol or benzyl mercaptan) were prepared in high yield by reacting L1H(2) and L2H with Tc(V)-gluconate in a ratio 1:1:1. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances were made for all complexes. X-ray crystallographic studies of 5 (R(1) = pyrrolidin-1-yl, R(2) = H, RSH = p-methylbenzenethiol) and 7 (R(1) = piperidin-1-yl, R(2) = CH(3), RSH = benzyl mercaptan) showed that the complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n (a = 10.223(1) Å, b = 9.283(1) Å, c = 18.337(2) Å, beta = 97.262(2) degrees, V = 1726.3(4) Å(3), Z = 4; a = 11.876(2) Å, b = 10.470(2) Å, c = 17.098(3) Å, beta = 105.990(4) degrees, V = 2043.8(6) Å(3), Z = 4, for 5 and 7, respectively). Complexes5 and 7 have distorted square pyramidal coordination geometry with the oxo ligand in the axial position. The steric requirements of the oxo group cause the Tc atom to be displaced 0.68 Å out of the mean equatorial plane of the NNSS donor atoms in both complexes.