Tetraxetan

Chemical Compound
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Tetraxetan, also known as DOTA, is a chelating agent used in radiopharmaceuticals for medical imaging and cancer therapy. It is a derivative of cyclen, a macrocyclic compound, and is known for its ability to form stable complexes with lanthanide and actinide ions.

Structure and Properties

Tetraxetan is a macrocyclic compound with a tetraaza ring structure. It contains four carboxylate groups that provide high affinity for metal ions. This structure allows it to effectively chelate radioisotopes such as gallium-68, yttrium-90, and lutetium-177, which are commonly used in nuclear medicine.

Applications

Tetraxetan is widely used in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In diagnostic imaging, it is used to label peptides and antibodies with radioisotopes for positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In cancer therapy, tetraxetan is used to deliver radioisotopes directly to tumor cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Synthesis

The synthesis of tetraxetan involves the reaction of cyclen with bromoacetic acid to introduce the carboxylate groups. The resulting compound is purified and characterized using techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

Safety and Handling

As with all chelating agents, proper safety precautions should be taken when handling tetraxetan. It should be stored in a cool, dry place and handled with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid exposure.

See Also

• Chelation therapy
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Nuclear medicine

External Links

• Tetraxetan on WikiMD