Rapid reductive-carboxylation of secondary amines, one pot synthesis of N'-(4-11C-methyl)imipramine.

A new rapid high yield synthesis of radiolabeled N'-(4-11C-methyl)imipramine has been developed using a reductive-carboxylation approach, in which 11CO2 is reacted with either N'-trimethylsilyldesimipramine or N'-lithium derivative of desimipramine, followed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction, to give no carrier added or carrier added 11C-labeled imipramine respectively. The final product is characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods.