Synthesis of carbon‐13 labelled 6‐substituted benzo (a) pyrenes

Abstract
Sodium formate‐13C, prepared by hydrolysis of isopropyl formate, was allowed to react with N‐methylaniline hydrochloride to prepare the formylating agent N‐methylformanilide‐1‐13C. Formylation of benzo(a)pyrene with N‐methylformanilide‐1‐13C gave the 6‐13CHO derivative which was reduced to 6‐13CH3 and 6‐13CH2OH benzo(a)pyrenes. 6‐13CH2C1 benzo(a)pyrene was prepared from the 6‐13CH2OH derivative.