Synthesis of 123-Iodine Labeled Rofecoxib Analogues: Potential Nuclear Medicine Imaging Agents

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a medical imaging technique which provides three-dimensional images ofliving systems after introduction ofa radiolabeled pharmaceutical. Rofecoxib (4-[ 4-methylsulphonylphenyl]-3phenylfuran-2(SH)-one) is an inhibitor of the cycloxygenase-2 enzyme, an enzyme which has been found to promote cancer cell growth. The synthesis of a no-carrier-added iodine-123 labeled rofecoxib derivative is potentially of value for the detection of cancer utilizing SPECT.

Iodine-123 labeled -(3-Iodophenyl)-4-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-SH furan-2-one, 1, and 3-(4-Iodophenyl)-4-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-5H-furan-2-one, 2, were prepared from the respective potassium organotrifluoroborate salts. The trifluoroborates were prepared from a simple six step pathway.