Radiosynthesis of SPECT tracers via a copper mediated I-123 iodination of (hetero) aryl boron reagents

A general method for the copper mediated nucleophilic 123I-iodination of (hetero) aryl boronic esters and acids has been developed. The broad substrate scope of this radiosynthetic approach allows access to [I-123] DPA-713, [I-123] IMPY, [I-123] MIBG and [I-123] IPEB that are four commonly used SPECT radiotracers. Our results infer that aryl boronic reagents can now be employed as common precursors for both fluorine-18 and iodine-123 radiolabelling.