Synthesis and quality control of long‐chain ¹⁸F‐fatty acids

Abstract

Abstract Introduction of fluorine‐18 into various positions of long‐chain fatty acids is described. The potential heart and liver radiopharmaceuticals 16‐ 18 F‐hexadecanoic acid, 17‐ 18 F‐heptadecanoic acid, 2‐ 18 F‐, and (9,10)‐ 18 F‐stearic acid have been prepared by nucleophilic F‐for‐Br exchange in the melt of the corresponding bromofatty acid methylesters in acetamide, followed by alkaline or acid hydrolysis. In the case of 17‐ 18 F‐hepta‐decanoic acid saturation yields of about 30% have been obtained at an optimum reaction temperature of 150 °C and about 1 mg of KF‐carrier.