The research work presented in this report, concerns the synthesis and the study of the coordination properties of the 64Cu by new acyclic chelators for PET imaging.We have synthesized four ligands (L1-L4) based on a pyridine scaffold, functionnalized by a varying number of methanephosphonate functions. A combination of potentiometry, spectrophotometry and electrospay mass spectrometry was used to study the coordination properties of Cu(II) with this ligands. The kinetic studies of the formation and dissociation of Cu(II) complexes have been carried out with stopped-flow techniques.L1 was shown to display a very high affinity towards Cu(II) and selectivity over Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Ga(III). The chelation of the Cu(II) by the four ligands is fast and efficient and it follows a dissociative Eigen-Wilkins mechanism.The complexes of lanthanides formed with this series of ligands are very stable in physiological conditions in particular those formed with L1. The complexes GdL1, GdL2 and GdL3 show a very high relaxivity which pointed them as potential contrast agents for MRI.The ligand L1 was activated by a side chain containing a reactive NHS carbamate function in the para position of the pyridine. The labeling was further performed on B28-13, a mouse monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing tenascin-C protein in human cancer.
