20279-43-0

Magnetic resonance imaging of [1-13C]hyperpolarized carboxylates (most notably, [1-13C]pyruvate) allows one to visualize abnormal metabolism in tumors and other pathologies. Herein, we investigate the efficiency of 1H and 13C hyperpolarization of acetate and pyruvate esters with ethyl, propyl and allyl alcoholic moieties using heterogeneous hydrogenation of corresponding vinyl, allyl and propargyl precursors in isotopically unlabeled and 1-13C-enriched forms with parahydrogen over Rh/TiO2 catalysts in methanol-d4 and in D2O. The maximum obtained 1H polarization was 0.6±0.2 % (for propyl acetate in CD3OD), while the highest 13C polarization was 0.10±0.03 % (for ethyl acetate in CD3OD). Hyperpolarization of acetate esters surpassed that of pyruvates, while esters with a triple carbon-carbon bond in unsaturated alcoholic moiety were less efficient as parahydrogen-induced polarization precursors than esters with a double bond. Among the compounds studied, the maximum 1H and 13C NMR signal intensities were observed for propyl acetate. Ethyl acetate yielded slightly less intense NMR signals which were dramatically greater than those of other esters under study.

A method for preparing pyruvate through catalytic conversion of lactic acid is provided; according to the method, with oxygen or air as an oxidant, alcohol as a solvent, and molybdovanadophosphoric heteropoly acid and/or tungstovanadophosphoric heteropoly acid as a catalyst, and by coupling of a catalytic oxidation reaction and an esterification reaction, lactic acid is converted into pyruvate by one step. The method directly adopts oxygen or air as the oxidant and is green and safe; the used raw material lactic acid is obtained directly from conversion of biomass resources, moreover, the reaction conditions are mild, and the method has important application prospects.