Design and Synthesis of an 18F-Labeled Version of Phenylethyl Orvinol ([18F]FE-PEO) for PET-Imaging of Opioid Receptors

Abstract

The semisynthetic oripavine derivative phenethyl orvinol (PEO), a full agonist at opioid receptors (OR), is an attractive structural motif for developing 18F-labeled PET tracers with a high degree of sensitivity for competition between endogenous and exogenous OR-ligands. The target cold reference compound 6-O-(2-fluoroethyl)-6-O-desmethylphenylethyl orvinol (FE-PEO) was obtained via two separate reaction routes. A three-step synthesis was developed for the preparation of a tosyloxyethyl precursor (TE-TDPEO), the key precursor for a direct, nucleophilic radiofluorination to yield [18F]FE-PEO. The developed radiosynthesis provides the target compound in relevantly high yield and purity, and is adaptable to routine production.

Keywords

• opioid receptors
• PET
• agonist
• 18F-fluorination
• automated radiosynthesis