The radiochemical syntheses of 5-[I-125]iodo-3-(2 (S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (5-[I-125]iodo-A-85380, [I-125]1) and 5-[I-123]-iodo-A-85380, [I-123]1, were accomplished by radioiodination of 5-trimethylstannyl-3-( (1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2 (S)-azetidinyl)methoxy)pyridine, 2, followed by acidic deprotection. Average radiochemical yields of [I-125]1 and [I-123]1 were 40-55%; and the average specific radioactivities were 1,700 and 7,000 mCi/mu mol, respectively. Binding affinities of [I-125]1 and [I-123]1 in vitro (rat brain membranes) were each characterized by a K-d value of 11 pM. Preliminary in vivo assay and ex vivo autoradiography of mouse brain indicated that [I-125]1 selectively labels nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with very high affinity and specificity. These studies suggest that [I-123]1 may be useful as a radioligand for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging of nAChRs. NUCL MED BIOL 26;2:175-182, 1999. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.