Molecule for functionalizing a support, attachment of a radionuclide to the support and radionuclide generator for preparing the radionuclide, and preparation process

Abstract

Molecule for attaching a radioactive parent nuclide to a support, comprising at least one functional group for attaching the radioactive parent nuclide; and a molecular moiety suitable for establishing a nonpolar bond to the support.

Claims

1. An organic or inorganic support for use as stationary phase, the support comprising: resin or silica gel, and a compound comprising: pyrogallol or catechol, and a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having more than 3 carbon atoms, or a branched or straight-chain alkyl chain having more than 3 carbon atoms.

2. The support of claim 1, where the branched or straight-chain alkyl chain having more than 3 carbon atoms is one of an octyl, decyl or octadecyl group.

3. The support of claim 1, where the compound is dodecyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate or 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene.

4. The support of claim 1, where the support is coated with the compound.

Description

(1) FIGS. 1a, b show the structural formulae of catechol (FIG. 1a) and pyrogallol as compounds having germanium-specific functional groups;

(2) FIGS. 2a, b show the structural formulae of examples of molecules according to the invention such as 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (FIG. 2a) and dodecyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate.

EXAMPLE

(3) A germanium-specific resin was prepared by coating inert silica gel with dodecyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate having the structural formula shown in FIG. 1b. The resin was used for preparing small chromatographic columns. An aqueous solution comprising the radio-nuclide germanium-68 having an activity in the range between 20 and 1250 MBq was then pumped through the columns. During this step, the germanium-68 was adsorbed quantitatively on the columns.

(4) The columns charged with germanium-68 were then used to prepare the short-lived gallium-68. It was possible to repeatedly eluate the gallium-68 generated by the germanium-68 absorbed on the support. The elution of gallium-68 was effected using weak hydrochloric acid solutions (0.05 M HCl) having a low volume of up to 2.5 ml. Leakage of the parent nuclide germanium-68 was in the range 1×10.sup.−4−3×10.sup.−3%. The gallium-68 could be used directly and without further chemical reprocessing for preparing injectable gallium-68 radio-pharmaceutics.

LITERATURE REFERENCES

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