Radioiodinated p-iodoclonidine: a high-affinity probe for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor.

The chemical synthesis of 2-[(2,6-dichloro-4-iodophenyl)imino]imidazolidine (PIC) and its radioiodinated analogue [125I]PIC is described. PIC was synthesized from 2,6-dichloroaniline in five synthetic steps. This agent displayed a high affinity for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (IC50 = 1.5 nM) in competitive binding assays conducted with purified human platelet plasma membrane fractions. For the synthesis of radioiodinated PIC the triazene intermediate 11 was synthesized from 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline in five synthetic steps. Acid-catalyzed decomposition of 11 with no-carrier-added Na125I afforded high specific activity [125I]PIC. In view of its high affinity for the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor, [125I]PIC is a potentially useful probe for studies in adrenergic pharmacology.