Rapid one-step <sup>18</sup>F-radiolabeling of biomolecules in aqueous media by organophosphine fluoride acceptors.

Hong, Huawei; Zhang, Lei; Xie, Fang; Zhuang, Rongqiang; Jiang, Donglang; Liu, Huanhuan; Li, Jindian; Yang, Hongzhang et al. · Nat Commun · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Currently, only a few <sup>18</sup>F-radiolabeling methods were conducted in aqueous media, with non-macroelement fluoride acceptors and stringent conditions required. Herein, we describe a one-step non-solvent-biased, room-temperature-driven <sup>18</sup>F-radiolabeling methodology based on organophosphine fluoride acceptors. The high water tolerance for this isotope-exchange-based <sup>18</sup>F-labeling method is attributed to the kinetic and thermodynamic preference of F/F over the OH/F substitution based on computational calculations and experimental validation. Compact [<sup>18/19</sup>F]di-tert-butyl-organofluorophosphine and its derivatives used as <sup>18</sup>F-labeling synthons exhibit excellent stability in vivo. The synthons are further conjugated to several biomolecular ligands such as c(RGDyk) and human serum albumin. The one-step labeled biomolecular tracers demonstrate intrinsic target imaging ability and negligible defluorination in vivo. The current method thus offers a facile and efficient <sup>18</sup>F-radiolabeling pathway, enabling further widespread application of <sup>18</sup>F.

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