Rhodium-105 tetrathioether complexes: Radiochemistry and initial biological evaluation

(105)Rhodium(III) complexes with three different acyclic tetrathioether lig ands containing pendant carboxylic acid groups have been synthesized and ch aracterized. The complexes were evaluated for stability under physiological conditions and the most promising complexes were evaluated in vivo in norm al mice. The primary route of clearance for these complexes was the renal/u rinary system, consistent with the presence of pendant carboxylate groups. The results indicate that the cis-[Rh(III)Cl-2(2,5,8,11-tetrathiado-decane 1,12 dicarboxylic acid)](+) complex shows the most promising in vivo charac teristics on which to base a potential therapeutic radiopharmaceutical. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.