Kaisa Horkka

[ ¹¹ C]Carbon dioxide is an attractive synthon for the labeling of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for subsequent use in biomedical research and drug development. In this study, [ ¹¹ C]CO ₂ was used for direct ¹¹ C‐labeling of a set of cyclic aromatic ureas starting from their corresponding ortho ‐phenylenediamines, BEMP (2‐ tert ‐butylimino‐2‐diethylamino‐1,3‐dimethylperhydro‐1,3,2‐diazaphosphorine) as fixation base, and Mitsunobu reagents (DBAD, n Bu ₃ P) for the intramolecular cyclization. The procedure is rapid (6 minutes total synthesis time), mild (proceeds at room temperature) and provided a set of ¹¹ C‐benzimidazolones in good to excellent radiochemical yields. As a final testament to the utility of this method, the beta‐adrenoceptor PET ligand [ ¹¹ C]CGP12177, was successfully prepared using the optimized conditions.

A robust, click‐chemistry‐inspired procedure for radiolabeling of cyclic ureas was developed. This protocol, suitable for all carbon isotopes (¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C), is based on the direct functionalization of carbon dioxide: the universal building block for carbon radiolabeling. The strategy is operationally simple and reproducible in different radiochemistry centers, exhibits remarkably wide substrate scope with short reaction times, and demonstrates superior reactivity as compared to previously reported systems. With this procedure, a variety of pharmaceuticals and an unprotected peptide were labeled with high radiochemical efficiency.

A robust, click‐chemistry‐inspired procedure for radiolabeling of cyclic ureas was developed. This protocol, suitable for all carbon isotopes (¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C), is based on the direct functionalization of carbon dioxide: the universal building block for carbon radiolabeling. The strategy is operationally simple and reproducible in different radiochemistry centers, exhibits remarkably wide substrate scope with short reaction times, and demonstrates superior reactivity as compared to previously reported systems. With this procedure, a variety of pharmaceuticals and an unprotected peptide were labeled with high radiochemical efficiency.

Cancer is a widespread and life-threatening disease and its early-stage diagnosis is vital. One of the most effective, non-invasive tools in medical diagnostics is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the aid of contrast agents. Contrast agents that are currently in clinical use contain metals, causing some restrictions in their use. Also, these contrast agents are mainly non-specific without any tissue targeting capabilities. Subsequently, the interest has notably increased in the research of organic, metal-free contrast agents. This study presents a new, stable organic radical, TEEPO-Met, where a radical moiety 2,2,6,6-tetraethylpiperidinoxide (TEEPO) is attached to an amino acid, methionine (Met), as a potentially tumour-targeting moiety. We describe the synthesis, stability assessment with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and relaxation enhancement abilities by an in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and phantom MRI studies of TEEPO-Met. The new compound proved to be stable notably longer than the average imaging time in conditions mimicking a biological matrix. Also, it significantly reduced the relaxation times of water, making it a promising candidate as a novel tumour targeting contrast agent for MRI.