George Kabalka Alumni Distinguished Service and       Cole Professor Organic and Medicinal       Chemistry Organoboron chemistry; positron emission tomography; magnetic resonance imaging B.S., University of Michigan (1965) Ph.D., Purdue University (1970)
E-mail: kabalka@ion.chem.utk.edu 611 Buehler Hall   ·   Telephone: 865-974-3260 Representative publications   ·   Biographical sketch Additional professional information

Research

Our research efforts are focused on developing new synthetic methods. We utilize organometallic reagents extensively and have a continuing interest in organoborane chemistry. A special emphasis is placed on reactions which can be utilized to incorporate short-lived, positron emitting isotopes of use in modern medical imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET). In recent years we have developed new, rapid synthetic routes to complex organic molecules containing nitrogen-13 (t_1/2=10 minutes) and oxygen-15 (t_1/2=2 minutes) which are physiologically active. We are currently examining new methods for incorporating carbon-11 (t_1/2=20 minutes) using organoborane reactions involving carbon monoxide as outlined in this reaction scheme.

In many instances, the boron compounds are of interest in their own right. For example, para-boronophenylalanine (BPA) is currently being evaluated as an agent for destroying tumors in a technique known as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). We are preparing the carbon-11 labeled analog for potential use in screening BNCT agents prior to treatment.

We are also interested in the development of physiologically active agents containing NMR active nuclei for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Agents containing carbon-13, fluorine-19, and boron-10 (for BNCT) are being synthesized and evaluated in our laboratories. Agents containing metal ions such as gadolinium are also of interest due to their effect on the relaxation rates of neighboring hydrogen nuclei; our research efforts have been directed at gadolinium analogs of agents such as fatty acids and steroids which are known to accumulate in heart muscle and certain tumors. My research group collaborates extensively with neighboring hospital-based research groups and the national laboratories. This collaboration offers my students an opportunity to carry out a portion of their graduate studies in non-traditional settings.

PET/CT of a normal mouse injected with iodine-123 labeled curcumin (an amyloid imaging agent): 30 minutes post injection

Representative publications

Schuller, Hildegard M.; Kabalka, George; Smith, Gary; Mereddy, Arjun; Akula, Murthy; Cekanova, Maria. "Detection of Overexpressed COX-2 in Precancerous Lesions of Hamster Pancreas and Lungs by Molecular Imaging: Implications for Early Diagnosis and Prevention." Chem. Med. Chem., 2006, 1, 603-610.

Kabalka, G. W.; Venkataiah, B.; Dong, G. "Organic Synthesis in Ionic Liquids Utilizing Organometallic Reagents", In: Ionic Liquids in Organic Synthesis; S. V. Malhotra, (Ed.), American Chemical Society Symposium Series, 2007, 72-82.

Kabalka, G. W.; Zhou, L.-L. Zhou, Naravane, A. "Microwave Accelerated Cross-Coupling Reaction of Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates with Potassium Aryltrifluoroborates." Lett. Org. Chem., 2007, 4, 325-328.

Kabalka, G. W.; Naravane, A.; Zhao, L.-L "Microwave Enhanced Cross-Coupling Involving Alkenyl- and Alkynyltrifluoroborates." Tetrahedron Lett. 2007, 48, 7091-7093.

Kabalka, George W.; Yao, Min-Liang; Borella, Scott; Goins, Laura K. "Iron Trichloride Mediated Allylation of Lithium Alkoxides through an Unusual Carbon-Oxygen Bond Cleavage." Organometal . 2007, 26, 4112-4114.

Kabalka, G. W, Tang, G. Mereddy, A. R. "No-Carrier-Added Radiohalogenations Utilizing Organoborates." J. Labelled Compd. Radiopharm., 2007, 50, 446-447.

Kabalka, G. W. "Isotope Incorporation via Organoboranes." J. Labelled Compd. Radiopharm., 2007, 50, 888-894.

Biographical sketch

Dr. Kabalka earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1965. His graduate studies were conducted at Purdue University under the guidance of Professor Herbert C. Brown and he received the Ph.D. degree in 1970. Dr. Kabalka joined the chemistry faculty at Tennessee in 1970.

Dr. Kabalka also serves as Director of Basic Research for the UT Biomedical Imaging Center of the Graduate School of Medicine. Professor Kabalka is a consultant to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.