A neutral lipophilic complex of 99mTc with a multidentate amine oxime

Propylene amine oxime, 3,3'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)bis(3-methyl-2-butanone)dioxime, (PnAO) forms a neutral lipophilic complex with 99mTc in greater than 95% yield at room temperature at pH 5-10. The complex can be prepared with generator produced 99mTc using 10(-5) M SnC4H4O6 as the reducing agent at ligand concentrations as low as 3 X 10(-5) M. It is stable in saline solutions for as long as 24 h. [99mTc]PnAO may be useful as an imaging agent which passively diffuses across the blood brain barrier.