Synthesis, radiolabeling and preclinical biodistribution of carbon-11 labeled methacetin

In this study, we have labeled methacetin with carbon-11 [¹¹C] as a PET imaging radiotracer. The radiolabeling was carried out by reacting acetaminophen with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in the presence of a base using [¹¹C]methyl iodide. [¹¹C]methacetin was synthesized via methylation at 70 °C for 5 min with a radiochemical purity of 99.3 ± 0.4 % and radiochemical yield was 34.6 ± 4.7 %. The tissue distribution showed higher uptake in blood pool at 5 min followed by increased uptake in lungs, liver and spleen.