Abstract
[11C]methyl iodide was originally produced by using LiAlH4 to reduce [11C]CO2 to [11C]methanol, followed by reaction with liquid hydriodic acid. However, it is difficult to obtain the desired high specific radioactivity of the end-product 11C-methylated tracer because the lithium reagent solution is so easily contaminated by atmospheric [12C]CO2. The introduction of high temperature gas-phase methodologies greatly enhanced the specific activity of 11C-labeled PET tracers by eliminating the lithium reagent entirely. Details for three commercially available gas-phase synthesis modules are provided and discussed with respect to ease-of-operation and preventative maintenance concerns. Lastly, C-11 target performance is discussed with respect to the in-target release of carrier [12C]carbon, the remaining obstacle to ultra-high specific activity for 11C-labeled PET tracers.
Keywords: Automation, Gas-phase production, Methyl iodide, Methyl triflate, Specific activity.
Current Organic Chemistry
Title:Automated C-11 Methyl Iodide/Triflate Production: Current State of the Art
Volume: 17 Issue: 19
Author(s): Bruce H. Mock
Affiliation:
Keywords: Automation, Gas-phase production, Methyl iodide, Methyl triflate, Specific activity.
Abstract: [11C]methyl iodide was originally produced by using LiAlH4 to reduce [11C]CO2 to [11C]methanol, followed by reaction with liquid hydriodic acid. However, it is difficult to obtain the desired high specific radioactivity of the end-product 11C-methylated tracer because the lithium reagent solution is so easily contaminated by atmospheric [12C]CO2. The introduction of high temperature gas-phase methodologies greatly enhanced the specific activity of 11C-labeled PET tracers by eliminating the lithium reagent entirely. Details for three commercially available gas-phase synthesis modules are provided and discussed with respect to ease-of-operation and preventative maintenance concerns. Lastly, C-11 target performance is discussed with respect to the in-target release of carrier [12C]carbon, the remaining obstacle to ultra-high specific activity for 11C-labeled PET tracers.
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Cite this article as:
Mock H. Bruce, Automated C-11 Methyl Iodide/Triflate Production: Current State of the Art, Current Organic Chemistry 2013; 17 (19) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13852728113179990104
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13852728113179990104 |
Print ISSN 1385-2728 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5348 |
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