Synthesis and radiolabeling of a polar [¹²⁵ I]I-1,2,4,5-tetrazine

Pretargeting imaging has gained a lot of prominence, due to its excellent bioorthogonality and improved imaging contrast compared to conventional imaging. A new iodo tetrazine (Tz) derivative has been synthesized and further developed into the corresponding iodine-125 (¹²⁵ I) analog (12), via the trimethylstannane precursor. Radiolabeling with either N-chlorosuccinimide or chloramine-T, in either MeCN or MeOH proceeded with a radiochemical conversion (RCC) of >80%. Subsequent deprotection only proved successful, among the tested conditions, when the radiolabeled Tz was stirred in 6-M HCl_(aq.) at 60°C for 2.5 h. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first H-tetrazine labeled with iodine. In vivo investigations on the pretargeting ability of 12 are currently under way.