The syn thesis of high specific activity tritium-labeled 4-(acetoxymethylni
tro-samino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone is reported. This compound was prepare
d by tritiation of 4-(acetoxymethylnitrosamino)-1-[3-(5-bromo)-pyridyl]-1-b
utanone (5-BrNNKOAc) in the presence of 10% Pd/C catalyst, yielding a produ
ct with a specific activity of 11.9 Ci/mmol. This pathway represents a majo
r improvement over previously published methods. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wi
ley & Sons, Ltd.