ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF NCA (S)-L-([ALPHA-C-11]METHYL)-TRYPTOPHAN

N.c.a. (S)-L-([alpha-C-11]methyl)-tryptophan was prepared by treatment at -78-degrees-C of (2S,3aR,8aS)-1,2-bis(-methoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2, 3-b]-indole with lithium diisopropylamide and [C-11]CH3I. After hydrolysis with HI and HPLC purification, the title compound was isolated with a radiochemical yield of 36% (EOB corrected) within 22 min; e.e. was shown > 97% (n = 20); specific activity was ranging between 0.8 and 1.2 Ci (30-45 GBq)/mu mol EOB.