Tritium and deuterium exchange‐labeling of aromatic and organometallic compounds in heptafluorobutyric acid

Abstract

Abstract The use of heptafluorobutyric acid (HFBA) as a solvent/reagent for tritiation (or deuteration) or aromatic organic and organometallic compounds is described. Typically the substrate (0.1–1 mmole) and tritium oxide (5–25 μl, 5 Ci/g) are dissolved in 0.3–1 ml HFBA and heated at 130–145° for 4–7 days. Aromatic compounds bearing electron‐donating substituents are tritiated much more readily than those bearing electron withdrawing substituents. Substrate decomposition was minimal, and good to excellent yields of relatively pure tritiated materials are obtained simply by cooling, neutralization, and extraction. Detailed studies of deuterium exchange in HFBA‐d under analogous conditions are also reported.