Carboranes as ligands for the preparation of organometallic Tc and Re Radiopharmaceuticals. Synthesis of [M(CO)(3)(eta-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(11))](-) and rac-[M(CO)(3)(eta-2-R-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(10))](-) (M = Re, (99)Tc; R = CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H) from [M(CO)(3)Br(3)](2-).

A new and high yielding method for the synthesis of [M(CO)(3)(eta(5)-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(11))](-) and the bifunctional metal complexes, rac-[M(CO)(3)(eta(5)-2-R-2,3-C(2)B(9)H(10))](-) (R = CH(2)CH(2)CO(2)H), from [M(CO)(3)Br(3)](2)(-) (M = Re, (99)Tc) was developed. The general approach entailed the addition of nido-[(C(2)B(9)H(12))(-)], or the acid substituted analogue, to [M(CO)(3)Br(3)](2)(-) (M = Re, (99)Tc) in the presence of TlOEt in THF. It was also possible to prepare the reported products in water using sodium carbonate in place of TlOEt. The reported approach led to the preparation, and X-ray crystallographic structure determination, of the first Tc-carborane complex reported to date (a = 13.606(17) A, b = 10.685(13) A, c = 15.534(16) A, alpha = gamma = 90 degrees, beta = 111.84(2) degrees). Because of the stabilities of the metal complexes, and the fact that the compounds can be prepared in water, the bifunctional derivatives can be considered as novel synthons for the preparation of organometallic (99m)Tc and (186/188)Re radiopharmaceuticals.