Dramatic effect of the tridentate ligand on the stability of Tc-99m "3+1" oxo complexes bearing arylpiperazine derivatives

Mixed - ligand model complexes of general formula [Tc-99m(O)(kappa(3) -SPh)(kappa(1)-SPh))] [X = O (1a), S (2a)] were prepared in a one-step procedure from [(TcO4-)-Tc-99m] using stannous chloride as reducing agent. Stability studies and challenge experiments with glutathione showed that complex 2a presented promising features for pursuing animal studies. The activity in the brain (% dose injected/organ) at 5 min (0.14% +/- 0.03) and 120 min (0.11% +/- 0.02) pi encouraged the synthesis of several mixed-ligand "3 + 1" oxo complexes of general formula [M(O)(kappa(3)-PNS)(kappa(1)-SL))] (M = Tc-99m, 3a-6a, Re, 3-6), in which the tridentate ligand is the heterofunctionalized phosphine 2-(diphenylphosphanyl)-N-(2-thioethyl)benzamide (PNS) and the co-ligands are different arylpiperazine derivatives (HSL1-HSL4). The Tc-99m complexes have been characterized by comparison of their retention times in the HPLC chromatogram (gamma-detection) with the retention times of the analogous Re complexes (UV detection at 254 nm). The 99mTc complexes, obtained with radiochemical purity higher than 95%, after HPLC purification, are stable in saline, 0.01 M PBS (pH 7.4), rat plasma (4 h, 37 degrees C), and glutathione (10 mM solutions, 2h, 37 degrees C). Binding affinity and selectivity for 5-HT1A receptors (relative to the 5-HT2A receptor) were determined, complex 5 demonstrating the best values (IC50 for the 5-HT1A 2.35 +/- 0.02 nM; competitor 5-HT2A 372 +/- 11 nM). Biodistribution and stability studies in mice indicated a preferred hepatobiliary excretion, a high in vivo stability, but a poor brain uptake.