The
S and
R isomers of [
18F]-fluoropropranolol (1-[1-fluoro-2-
isopropylamino]-3-naphthalen-1-yloxy-propan-2-ol) have been prepared by reductive alkylation of the appropriate aminoalcohols. The radiosynthesis provides a reasonable yield (
25%) to give products of 99%enantiomeric excess and specific activities of 1–3 Ci/μmol. The dissociation constants for the β
2 adrenergic receptor are 0.5 and 2.5 nM for the
S and the
R isomers, respectively. The biodistribution data in rats show that uptake and egress of the tracer is rapid but that the result of blocking studies and the difference between the
R and the
S isomers suggest receptor-mediated uptake in receptor-rich tissue.