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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclization on the biological profile of a [ 99m Tc(N)(PNP3)]-labeled α-melanocyte stimulating hormone peptide analog. A lactam bridge-cyclized H-Cys-Ahx-βAla 3 -c[Lys 4 -Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Glu 10 ]-Arg 11 -Pro-Val-NH 2 (NAP-NS2) and the corresponding linear H-Cys-Ahx-βAla-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-NH 2 (NAP-NS1) peptide were synthetized, characterized by ESI-MS spectroscopy and their melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) binding affinity was determined in B16/F10 melanoma cells. The consistent [ 99m Tc(N)(PNP3)]-labeled compounds were readily obtained in high specific activity and their stability and biological properties were assessed. As an example, the chemical identity of [ 99m Tc(N)(NAP-NS1)(PNP3)] + was confirmed by carrier added experiments supported by radio/UV HPLC analysis combined with ESI(+)-MS. Compared with the linear peptide, cyclization negatively affected the biological properties of NAP-NS2 peptide by reducing its binding affinity for MC1R and by decreasing the overall excretion rate of the corresponding [ 99m Tc(N)(PNP3)]-labeled peptide from the body as well as its in vivo stability. [ 99m Tc(N)(NAP-NS1)(PNP3)] + was evaluated for its potential as melanoma imaging probe in murine melanoma model. Data from in vitro and in vivo studies on B16/F10 melanoma model of [ 99m Tc(N)(NAP-NS1)(PNP3)] + clearly evidenced that the radiolabeled linear peptide keeps its biological properties up on the conjugation to the [ 99m Tc(N)(PNP3)]-building block. The progressive increase of the tumor-to-nontarget ratios over the time indicates a quite stable interaction between the radio-complex and the MC1R., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Currently, receptor based radiopharmaceuticals have received great attention in molecular imaging and radiotherapy of cancer, and provide a unique tool for target-specific delivery of radionuclides to pathological tissues. In this context, receptor binding peptides represent an attractive class of target vectors for Nuclear Medicine purposes. The rich chemistry of the group 7 elements elaborated in past years, has allowed the development of different procedures for the preparation of radiolabeled peptides in high yield. This, joint to the use of solid-phase peptide synthesis, has opened the possibility to explore new strategies for approaching the design of new class of radiolabeled receptor-targeted peptides, and to create new versatilities in targeting vehicle design e.g. in synthesis of metal-cyclized peptides or of multivalent targeting agents. This review provides an overview on several aspects of the development of new (99m)Tc/(188)Re-peptide based target specific radiopharmaceuticals, in particular on the synthetic strategies employed for modifying molecular vectors, and the application of the different metal-cores and/or building block for preparing high specific activity agents.

Introduction: The neutral complex [(99m)Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)], often referred to as TcN-NOET [NOEt=N-ethoxy,N-ethyldithiocarbamate(1-)], was proposed several years ago as a myocardial imaging agent. Despite some favorable clinical properties evidenced during phase I and phase II studies, the overall results of the European and American phase III clinical studies have been judged insufficient for a successful approval process by the regulatory agencies., Methods: Non-carrier-added and carrier-added experiments using short-lived (99m)Tc and long-lived (99g)Tc have been utilized to prepare a series of bis-substituted [Tc(N)(DTC)(2)] complexes [DTC=dithiocarbamate(1-)]. They have been purified by means of chromatographic techniques (high-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography) and identified via double detection (UV-vis and radiometry) by comparison with authenticated samples of (99g)Tc compounds prepared by conventional coordination chemistry procedures., Results: The molecular structure of the lipophilic, neutral complex cis-[Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)] has been assigned by comparison with similar nitrido-Tc(V) complexes already reported in the literature. Novel bis-substituted nitrido-Tc complexes containing hydrolyzed portions of coordinated NOEt, namely, N-ethyldithiocarbamate [NHEt(1-)] and N-hydroxy, N-ethyldithiocarbamate [NOHEt(1-)], have been prepared and characterized by means of multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry., Conclusions: Despite the identification of these "hydrolyzed" species, it is still unclear whether the failure to reach the clinical goal of the perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc(N)(NOEt)(2)] is related to the degradation processes evidenced in this study or is the result of the mediocre imaging properties of the tracer., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We report on an efficient procedure for the preparation of [(188)Re(N)(PNP)]-based complexes (where PNP is diphosphinoamine) useful in the development of target-specific radiopharmaceuticals. The radiochemical yield of the compounds was optimized considering such reaction parameters as nature of the nitrido nitrogen donor, reaction times and pH level. The chemical identity of the (188)Re agents was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography comparison with the corresponding well-characterized cold Re compounds. (188)Re(N) mixed compounds have been evaluated with regard to stability toward transchelation with GSH and degradation by serum enzymes. The clearance of selected radiocompounds from normal tissues and their in vivo stability were evaluated in rats by biodistribution and imaging studies. [(188)Re(N)(cys ∼)(PNP)](+/0) mixed-ligand compounds were efficiently prepared in aqueous solution from perrhenate using a multistep procedure based on the preliminary formation of the labile (188)Re(III)-EDTA species, which easily undergo oxidation/ligand exchange reaction to afford the [(188)Re(V) ≡ N](2+) core in the presence of dithiocarbazate. The final mixed-ligand compounds were obtained, at 100 °C, by adding the two bidentate ligands to the buffered [(188)Re(V) ≡ N](2+) solution (pH 3.2-3.6). However, a relatively high amount of cys ∼ ligand was required to obtain a quantitative radiochemical yield. The complexes were stable toward reoxidation to perrhenate and ligand exchange reactions. In vivo studies showed rapid distribution and elimination of the complexes from the body. No specific uptakes in sensitive tissues/organs were detected. A positive correlation of the distribution of the complexes estimated with biodistribution studies (%ID) and with micro-SPECT semiquantification imaging analysis (standard uptake values) was observed. These results support the possibility of applying [(188)Re(N)(PNP)] technology to the preparation of target-specific agents., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study presents the first application of a general procedure based on the use of the [Tc(N)Cl(PS)(PPh(3))] species (PS is an alkyl phosphinothiolate ligand) for the preparation of Tc(N) target-specific compounds. [Tc(N)Cl(PS)(PPh(3))] selectively reacts with an appropriate dithiocarbamate ligand (S(∧)Y) to give [Tc(N)(PS)(S(∧)Y)] compounds. 1-(2-Methoxyphenyl)piperazine, which displays a potent and specific affinity for 5HT(1A) receptors, was selected as a functional group and conjugated to the dithiocarbamate unit through different spacers (L( n )). [(99m)Tc(N)(PS)(L( n ))] complexes were prepared in high yield (more than 90%). The chemical identity of (99m)Tc complexes was determined by high performance liquid chromatography comparison with the corresponding (99g)Tc complexes. All complexes were found to be inert toward transchelation with an excess of glutathione and cysteine. No notable biotransformation of the native compound into different species by the in vitro action of the serum and liver enzymes was shown. Nanomolar affinity for the 5HT(1A) receptor was obtained for [(99m)Tc(N)(PSiso)L(3)] (IC(50) = 1.5 nM); a reduction of the affinity was observed for the other complexes as a function of the shortening of the alkyl chain interposed between the dithiocarbamate and the pharmacophore. Negligible brain uptake was found from in vivo distribution data of [(99m)Tc(N)(PSiso)L(3)]. The key finding of this study is that the complexes maintained good affinity and selectivity for 5HT(1A) receptors, and the IC(50) value for [(99g)Tc(N)(PSiso)L(3)] being comparable to the IC(50) value found for WAY 100635. This result confirmed the possibility of preparing [(99m)Tc(N)(PS)]-based target-specific compounds without affecting the affinity and selectivity of the bioactive molecules for the corresponding receptors.

Receptor-binding peptides have attracted an enormous interest in targeting molecules for the development of tumour specific radiopharmaceutical compounds. The overexpression of many receptors on human tumour makes such peptide-ligands attractive agents for diagnostic imaging and therapy of cancers. The use of solid-phase peptide synthesis and the availability of a wide range of bifunctional chelating agents for the radiolabelling of bioactive peptides with radionuclides have produced a wide variety of useful radiopharmaceutical molecules. For diagnostic purposes, techenetium - 99m is the ideal radionuclide thanks to its nuclear properties and the availability of a low cost portable generator system.

Four novel (64)Cu complexes ([(64)Cu(thp)(4)](+) (1), [(64)Cu(TPA)(4)](+) (2), [HC(CO(2))(pz(Me2))(2) (64)Cu(thp)(2)] (3) and [HC(CO(2))(tz)(2) (64)Cu(thp)(2)] (4), [where thp is tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, TPA is 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, pz(Me2) is 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and tz is 1,2,4-triazole] were successfully synthesized and characterized. The complexes were produced in high radiochemical purity and yield (more than 98%) without the need for further purification. Their logP values and serum stabilities were measured and in vitro behavior was observed in cultured EMT-6 cells. The logP values (+/- standard deviation) obtained were -2.26 +/- 0.04 (1), 0.01 +/- 0.01 (2), -1.24 +/- 0.03 (3) and -2.06 +/- 0.03 (4). Complex 3 demonstrated the highest serum stability, with approximately 33% of the complex still intact after 1-h incubation. Complex 2 showed a rapid cell-association with EMT-6 cells, with more than 8.5% association at 2 h. This association was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than for the other three compounds after a 2-h incubation (1, 1.21%; 3, 0.63%; 4, 2.75%). Biodistribution and small-animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography was undertaken with 1 in mice bearing EMT-6 tumors. EMT-6 tumor uptake was high at 1 h (7.71 +/- 2.17 %ID/g) and decreased slowly over 24 h (4 h, 4.90 +/- 0.78 %ID/g; 24 h, 3.74 +/- 0.73 %ID/g). The PET/CT images show that the EMT-6 tumors can be visualized at all time points. In this proof-of-concept study, we have successfully synthesized and characterized a novel series of versatile water-soluble Cu(I) complexes containing monophosphine ligands. We also report the use of 1 as a building block for new radiopharmaceuticals, perhaps the first time such a method has been used in the production of copper radiopharmaceuticals.

Nine nitrido technetium compounds comprising bis-substituted Tc(N)(PS)(2) (1-4) (PS = bidentate phosphinothiolate ligands) and Tc(N)(dtc)(2) (5, 6) derivatives (dtc = bidentate dithiocarbamate), and mixed-ligand Tc(N)(PS)(dtc) (7-9) species, were subjected to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and MS(n) experiments. Bis-substituted phosphinothiolato complexes 1-4 lead to the straightforward formation of dinuclear species reasonably originating from proton bound dimers. These dinuclear species do not show, under collisionally induced fragmentation processes, the formation of monomeric units but cleavages related to the ligand framework, thereby proving the high stability of the [Tc--H(+)--Tc] bond. Bis-dithiocarbamate compounds 5 and 6 show, instead, abundant [M+H](+), [M+Na](+) and [2M+Na](+) ions, and their collisionally induced fragmentations are highly favoured with cleavages related to the C--N and C--S bonds. During these processes, the coordination of a water molecule to [MH-L](+) product ions is observed, as proved by the collisionally induced H(2)O loss detected for this species. Mixed-ligand compounds 7 and 8 show the protonated molecules and Na(+)-cationised ions with fragmentation processes related to the dithiocarbamate moiety. This behaviour indicates that coordination of ether- and ester-substituted dithiocarbamates to the [Tc [triple chemical bond] N] group is weaker than that of phosphinothiolates. Conversely, diethyldithiocarbamate inserted in mixed complex 9 enhances both C--N and Tc--S bonds, and fragmentation processes suggest that metal-phosphinothiolate and metal-dithiocarbamate show comparable strength., (Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Diagnostic nuclear medicine (NM) is among the imaging procedures (together with X-ray, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance, and echography) the clinicians can routinely adopt to image organs or tissues and related disorders. (99m)Tc-based agents are the radiopharmaceuticals of election in diagnostic NM because of the ideal physical properties of the 99mTc nuclide (t1/2 6.01 hr; Egamma 142 keV), low cost, and easy availability through the commercial 99Mo/99mTc generator, and chemical versatility of the element. In the last two decades the synergistic work of clinics, pharmacologists, and coordination chemists has had a tremendous impact in the development of new 99mTc-based radiopharmaceuticals through the recognition of the structure at the molecular level of the agent utilized. This has been achieved by studying the physico-chemical properties of the long-lived 99gTc (t1/2 2.11 x 10(5) year; Ebeta 292 keV) and third-row congener Re isostructural compounds. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and collision experiments (MS/MS) represent valuable analytical techniques suitable for the characterization of both technetium and rhenium complexes relevant to NM. Unequivocal structural identification of these bioinorganic compounds, either simple coordination complexes ("essential radiopharmaceuticals") or more sophisticated structures carrying bioactive fragments ("receptor-specific" radiopharmaceuticals), can be realized in combination with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. MS/MS experiments provide useful information on the different metal-ligand bond strength, and comparison of the fragmentation profiles of isostructural technetium and rhenium compounds give additional details on the role played by the metal in determining preferred decomposition channels. The analysis of these data contribute to design novel synthetic strategies for the obtainment of technetium and rhenium compounds relevant to NM. The chemistry underlying the production of a new class of potential radiopharmaceuticals including a terminal nitrogen bond and a mixed coordination sphere comprising heterodiphosphines and/or dithiocarbamates (DTC) is presented in detail together with the ESI-MS and MS/MS investigations.

A new biomolecule labeling method that utilizes the [(99m)Tc(N)(PNP)](2+) metal fragment is presented. Thus, a series of nitrido mixed-ligand M(V) complexes (M = (99m)Tc, (99g)Tc, Re), [M(N)(Ln)(PNP)], where Ln is the dianionic form of a dithiolate or substituted-dithiolate ligand and PNP is an aminodiphosphine, is described. (99m)Tc complexes can be prepared using either a two-step or a three-step procedure starting from generator-eluted pertechnetate through a prereduced mixture of [(99m)Tc(N)]-containing species, followed by sequential or contemporary addition of the relevant dithiolate and aminodiphosphine. The reactions of 2,3-dimercaptopropionic acid (H(2)L1) with [Tc(N)(PNP)](2+) were investigated in detail. It was found that this bidentate ligand coordinated the metal fragment through the [S(-),S(-)] donor atom pair, to yield neutral mixed-ligand complexes [(99m)Tc(N)(L1)(PNP)] in high specific activity. The additional carboxylic functional group was not involved in metal coordination, thus remaining available for conjugation to target-specific molecules. Dithiolates incorporating pendant functional group(s) gave rise to a 1:1 diastereoisomeric mixture of syn-[M(N)(Ln)(PNP)] and anti-[M(N)(Ln)(PNP)] derivatives, depending on the relative orientation of the dithiolate substituent(s) with respect to the terminal nitrido group, and no isomeric conversion was detected. (99m)Tc species had been proven to be identical with the (99g)Tc complexes prepared at the macroscopic level by comparison of the corresponding radiometric and UV/vis HPLC profiles. Challenge experiments with cysteine or glutathione indicated that these physiological agents had no effect on the stability of this class of mixed-ligand (99m)Tc-complexes. Biodistribution studies in rats of selected (99m)Tc-complexes showed a rapid clearance from the blood and tissues after 60 min pi.

Unlabelled: The preparation, characterization, and first biologic evaluation in rats of a novel class of monocationic (99m)Tc heart imaging agents are reported. The complexes are represented by the general formula [(99m)Tc(N)(PNP)(L)](+), where L is the monoanionic form of a dithiocarbamate ligand of the type [R(1)(R(2))-N-C(=S)S](-), PNP is a diphosphine ligand of the type [(R(3))(2)P-(CH(2))(2)](2)-N(R(4)), and R(1)-R(4) are organic functional groups., Methods: The new complexes were prepared by use of both liquid and freeze-dried formulations through a 2-step procedure. The first step involved the formation of the [TcN](2+) group through the reaction of (99m)TcO(4)(-) with succinic dihydrazide as a donor of nitride nitrogen atoms (N(3-)) in the presence of Sn(2+) ions. This step was followed by the simultaneous addition to the reaction solution of the ligand PNP and of the sodium salt of the dithiocarbamate ligand (NaL) to afford the final products, [(99m)Tc(N)(PNP)(L)](+). The chemical identities of the resulting (99m)Tc complexes were determined by comparing their chromatographic properties with those of the corresponding (99g)Tc analogs prepared by use of the long-lived isotope (99g)Tc and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques. Ex vivo biodistribution studies were conducted in rats. In vivo tomographic images of the rat heart were obtained by use of a small-animal SPECT scanner., Results: The [(99m)Tc(N)(PNP)(L)](+) complexes are monocationic and possess a distorted square-pyramidal geometry in which the TcN multiple bond occupies an apical position and the diphosphine and dithiocarbamate ligands span the residual 4 coordination positions on the basal plane through the 2 phosphorus atoms and the 2 sulfur atoms, respectively. Imaging and biodistribution studies demonstrated that these radiopharmaceuticals localize selectively in the myocardium of rats and are retained in this region for a prolonged time. The kinetics of heart uptake and clearance were found to be influenced by variations in the lateral R(1)-R(4) groups. Blood and lung washouts were extremely fast. Elimination occurred mostly through the kidneys and the liver. Surprisingly, at 1 h after injection, liver activity was almost negligible. Analysis of heart-to-liver and heart-to-lung uptake ratios showed that these values increased exponentially over time and became much higher than those determined for (99m)Tc-sestamibi and (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin. These findings were confirmed by analysis of high-quality SPECT images collected in rats for the new complexes and compared with images obtained with (99m)Tc-sestamibi and (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin., Conclusion: The high myocardial uptake and the very high heart-to-lung and heart-to-liver uptake ratios indicate that the [(99m)Tc(N)(PNP)(L)](+) complexes exhibit very favorable distribution properties and could be used to obtain SPECT cardiac images with improved quality.

Monosubstituted [M(N)Cl(2)(POP)] [M = Tc, 1; Re, 2] and [M(N)Cl(2)(PNP)] [M = Tc, 3; Re, 4] complexes were prepared by reaction of the precursors [M(N)Cl(4)](-) and [M(N)Cl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (M = Tc, Re) with the diphosphine ligands bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)ether (POP) and bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)methoxyethylamine (PNP) in refluxing dichloromethane/methanol solutions. In these compounds, the diphosphine acted as a chelating ligand bound to the metal center through the two phosphorus atoms. Considering also the weak interaction of the heteroatom (N or O) located in the middle of the carbon backbone connecting the two P atoms, we found that the coordination arrangement of the diphosphine ligand could be viewed as either meridional (m) or facial (f), and the resulting geometry as pseudooctahedral. The heteroatom of the diphosphine ligand was invariably located trans to the nitrido linkage, as established by X-ray diffraction analysis of the representative compounds 2m and 4f. Density functional theoretical calculations showed that in POP-type complexes the mer form is favored by approximately 6 kcal mol(-1), whereas mer and fac isomers are almost isoenergetic in PNP-type complexes. A possible role of noncovalent interactions between the phosphinic phenyl substituents in stabilizing the fac-isomer was also highlighted. The existence of fac-mer isomerism in this class of complexes was attributed to the strong tendency of the two phosphorus atoms to occupy a reciprocal trans-position within the pseudooctahedral geometry. The switching of P atoms between cis- and trans-configurations was confirmed by the observation that the fac isomers, 1f and 2f, were irreversibly transformed, in solution, into the corresponding mer isomers, 1m and 2m, thus suggesting that fac complexes are more reactive species. Theoretical calculations supported this view by showing that the lowest unoccupied orbitals of the fac isomers are more accessible to a nucleophilic attack with respect to those of the mer ones. Furthermore, the large participation of the Cl orbitals to the HOMO, which is a metal-ligand pi* antibonding in the complex basal plane, shows that the Tc-Cl bonds are labile. As a consequence, facial isomers could be considered as highly electrophilic intermediates that were selectively reactive toward substitution by electron-rich donor ligands. Experimental evidence was in close agreement with this description. It was found that fac-[M(N)Cl(2)(PXP)] complexes easily underwent ligand-exchange reactions with bidentate donor ligands such as mercaptoacetic acid (NaHL(1)), S-methyl 2-methyldithiocarbazate (H(2)L(2)), diethyldithiocarbamate sodium salt (NaL(3)), and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (H(2)L(4)) to afford stable asymmetrical heterocomplexes of the type fac-[M(N)(L(n))(POP)](+/0) (5-8) and fac-[M(N)(L(n))(PNP)](+/0) (9-14) comprising two different polydentate chelating ligands bound to the same metal center. In these reactions, the bidentate ligand replaced the two chloride atoms on the equatorial plane of the distorted octahedron, leaving the starting fac-[M(N)(PXP)](2+) (X = O, N) moieties untouched. No formation of the corresponding symmetrical complexes containing two identical bidentate ligands was detected over a broad range of experimental conditions. Solution-state NMR studies confirmed that the structure in solution of these heterocomplexes was identical to that established in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis of the prototype complexes fac-[M(N)(HL(2))(POP)][BF(4)] [M = Tc, 7; Re, 8] and fac-[Tc(N)(HL(2))(PNP)][BF(4)], 11. In conclusion, the novel metal fragment fac-[M(N)(PXP)](2+) could be utilized as an efficient synthon for the preparation of a large class of asymmetrical, nitrido heterocomplexes incorporating a particular diphosphine ligand and a variety of bidentate chelating molecules.

A new labeling approach for incorporating bioactive peptides into a technetium-99m coordination complex is described. This method exploits the chemical properties of the novel metal-nitrido fragment [99mTc(N)(PXP)]2+, composed of a terminal Tc[triple bond] N multiple bond bound to an ancillary diphosphine ligand (PXP). It will be shown that this basic, molecular building block easily forms in solution as the dichloride derivative [99mTc(N)(PXP)Cl2], and that this latter complex selectively reacts with monoanionic and dianionic, bidentate ligands (YZ) having soft, pi-donor coordinating atoms to afford asymmetrical nitrido heterocomplexes of the type [99mTc(N)(PXP)(YZ)]0/+ without removal of the basic motif [99mTc(N)(PXP)]2+. The reactions of the amino acid cysteine was studied in detail. It was found that cysteine readily coordinates to the metal fragment [99mTc(N)(PXP)]2+ either through the [NH2, S-] pair of donor atoms or, alternatively, through the [O-, S-] pair, to yield the corresponding asymmetrical complexes in very high specific activity. Thus, these results were conveniently employed to devise a new, efficient procedure for labeling short peptide sequences having a terminal cysteine group available for coordination to the [99mTc(N)(PXP)]2+ fragment. Examples of the application of this novel approach to the labeling of the short peptide ligand H-Arg-Gly-Asp-Cys-OH (H(2)1) and of the peptidomimetic derivative H-Cys-Val-2-Nal-Met-OH (H2) will be discussed.

A novel class of technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals showing high heart uptake is described. These complexes were prepared through a simple and efficient procedure, and their molecular structure fully characterized. They are formed by a terminal Tc(triple bond)N multiple bond and two bidentate phosphine-thiol ligands [R(2)P-(CH(2))(n)SH, n=2,3] coordinated to the metal ion through the neutral phosphorus atom and the deprotonated thiol sulfur atom. The resulting geometry was trigonal bipyramidal. Biodistribution studies were carried out in rats. The complexes exhibited high initial heart uptake and elimination through liver and kidneys. The washout kinetic from heart was dependent on the nature of the lateral R groups on the phosphine-thiol ligands. When R=phenyl, heart activity was rapidly eliminated within 10-20 min. Instead, when R=tolyl, cyclohexyl, persistent heart uptake was observed. Extraction of activity from myocardium tissue showed that no change of the chemical identity of the tracer occurred after heart uptake. On the contrary, metabolization to more hydrophilic species occurred in liver and kidneys.

New Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals with the ligand (o-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylphosphine have been prepared and their biodistributions evaluated in rats. The monoxo Tc(V) complex [99mTc(O)Cl(PO)2], the Tc(IV) complex [99mTc(OH)2(PO)2], the Tc(III) complex [99mTc(PO)3], and the nitrido Tc(V) complex [99mTc(N)(PO)2] have been characterized by TLC and HPLC chromatography, and their chemical structure elucidated by comparison with the corresponding complexes obtained using the beta-emitting isotope Tc-99g. Biodistribution studies of these complexes have been carried out in rats.