Oxidants (e.g., N-chlorosuccinimide) can be used to stabilize &alpha；-particle emitters (e.g., 211 At) in solution, prior to their subsequent reaction to form &alpha；-particle emitter labeled compounds (e.g., a radiolabeled pharmaceutical or a radiolabeled pre-cursor used to prepare it). In particular, the use of an oxidant has been found to maintain the &alpha；-particle emitter in a chemical form that facilitates this reaction, which may involve a number of possible mechanisms including electrophilic substitution, nucleophilic substitution, complexation, exchange, or metallic bonding. Compounds labeled with &alpha；-particle emitters in this manner have wide-ranging therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of cancer.
