Synthesis of Fluorinated Ketoheptoses as Specific Diagnostic Agents

Abstract

Abstract The straightforward syntheses of six regioisomeric mono‐ and difluorinated D ‐ manno ‐heptulose and Kamusol analogues, which use electrophilic or nucleophilic fluorinaton, are reported. D ‐ manno ‐Heptulose shows attractive pharmacological properties in vivo, such as antitumour activity, as well as binding to and accumulating in pancreatic beta cells to induce hyperglycemia. The synthesised analogues represent promising probes for the detection and quantification of beta cells in vivo by 19 F MRI techniques, which could help to investigate disease progression. In addition, they are potential candidates for the inhibition of tumour growth.