Abstract
A novel mixed-ligand Tc-99m complex with mercaptobenzothiazole (mer) as ligand and aminothiazole (amino) as coligand was prepared and evaluated as potential brain radiopharmaceutical. Preparation at tracer level was accomplished by substitution, using Tc-99m-gluconate as precursor and a coligand/ligand ratio of 5. Under these conditions, the labeling yield was over 97% and the major product with radiochemical purity >97% was isolated by HPLC and used for biological evaluation. The reaction of [ReO(Citrate)(2)](-) with mer and amino in hot MeOH yields [ReO(mer)(amino) OH(H2O)(2)]. The DFT study demonstrated that the complex contains distorted octahedral ReO(V). The Re coordination sphere consists of the terminal oxo group, the S donor atom of the deprotonated mer, the N atom of the deprotonated amino, OH group, and two water molecules. Biodistribution in mice demonstrated early brain uptake, fast blood clearance, and excretion through hepatobiliary system. Although the brain/blood ratio increased significantly with time, the novel Tc-99m complex did not exhibit ideal properties as brain perfusion radiopharmaceutical since brain uptake was too low.