Preparation of [18F]β-CFT-FP and [11C]β-CFT-FP, selective radioligands for visualisation of the dopamine transporter using positron emission tomography (PET)

Abstract

In this study the N-fluoropropyl analogue of the cocaine congener β-CFT (I), N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-fluorophenyl)nortropane (β-CFT-FP, III), was labelled with 18F or 11C. Syntheses of the precursors nor-β-CFT (II) and β-CFT-FP acid (IV) as well as III itself are described. [18F]β-CFT-FP was prepared starting from I using two different labelling reagents: [18F]fluoropropyl bromide (V) and [18F]fluoropropyl tosylate (VI). A reversed-phase HPLC system proved to be effective in separating the labelled product from precursor II. The radiochemical incorporation of V or VI to yield [18F]β-CFT-FP (18F-III) was in general 30–50% and the radiochemical purity was higher than 99%. [11C]β-CFT-FP (11C-III) was synthesised by esterification of IV using [11C]methyl triflate (VII). An HPLC-purification system using a reversed-phase column proved to be effective in separating the product from the acid precursor. The radiochemical yield starting from [11C]carbon dioxide was 30–40% and the radiochemical purity was better than 99%. 18F-III and 11C-III have potential as radioligands for visualisation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.