Direct Carbon Isotope Exchange of Pharmaceuticals via Reversible Decyanation

The incorporation of carbon-14 allows tracking of organic molecules and provides vital knowledge on their fate. This information is critical in pharmaceutical development, crop science, and human food safety evaluation. Herein, a transition-metal-catalyzed procedure enabling carbon isotope exchange on aromatic nitriles is described. By utilizing the radiolabeled precursor Zn([C-14]CN)(2), this protocol allows the insertion of the desired carbon tag without the need for structural modifications, in a single step. By reducing synthetic costs and limiting the generation of radioactive waste, this procedure will facilitate the labeling of nitrile containing drugs and accelerate C-14-based ADME studies supporting drug development.

Automated summary

The use of carbon-14 allows for tracking of organic molecules and provides important knowledge on their fate. A new transition-metal-catalyzed procedure enables carbon isotope exchange on aromatic nitriles, reducing synthetic costs and limiting radioactive waste generation. This procedure will facilitate the labeling of nitrile-containing drugs and accelerate C-14-based ADME studies supporting drug development.