Fast and reliable generation of [¹⁸F]triflyl fluoride, a gaseous [¹⁸F]fluoride source

Abstract

A novel strategy for the production of reactive [18F]fluoride has been developed, omitting time consuming azeotropic drying procedures. Gaseous [18F]triflyl fluoride is formed instantaneously at room temperature from hydrated [18F]fluoride, followed by distillation in less than 5 minutes into a dry aprotic solvent, in which dry [18F]fluoride is released in presence of base with >90% radiochemical yield. The reactivity of the [18F]fluoride has been confirmed by reaction with several model compounds and by the synthesis of the PET tracers [18F]fluoroestradiol ([18F]FES) and O-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-l-tyrosine ([18F]FET), providing good isolated radiochemical yields and molar activities of up to 123 GBq μmol-1.