Direct electrophilic iodination of 2-thiouracil using Iodo-Gen

5-Iodo-2-thiouracil (ITU) is of interest due to its ability to bind specifically to the pigment melanin during melanogenesis and is of potential value in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant melanoma. Radioiodinated ITU was prepared directly from 2-thiouracil in a two-phase reaction using Iodo-Gen in 0.05 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0. The identity radiochemical purity and stability of the product were checked by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). ITU labeled with 123I, 125I or 131I has been produced in millicurie amounts and isolated on a semi-preparative reversed-phase HPLC column. Production time was 2-3 h, overall radiochemical yields averaged 80%; the radiochemical purity was greater than 98%. Specific activities on the order of 20 Ci/mmol have been obtained.