Synthesis and evaluation of ether containing 99mTc–nitrido dithiocarbamate complexes as brain perfusion imaging agent

In the present study, a series of 99mTc–nitrido dithiocarbamate complexes containing ether linkages have been prepared and their brain perfusion characteristics studied. Two primary dithiocarbamates and two secondary dithiocarbamates were synthesized in >80% yield and were characterized by elemental analyses. The ligands were then labeled using a 99mTc–nitrido intermediate, prepared from sodium pertechnetate using commercially available nitrido kit-vials, at a low ligand concentration of 0.1 mg. The prepared complexes were obtained in more than 95% yield and were characterized by paper electrophoresis and HPLC. All the complexes were found to be neutral and eluted out as a single species in HPLC. Biodistribution studies were carried out in normal Swiss mice. All the complexes showed uptake in the brain. 99mTcN complexes of secondary dithiocarbamates showed higher initial brain uptake (5 min p.i.) than their primary amine counterparts. However, all the complexes exhibited rapid washout from the brain.