SYNTHESIS OF 6-[F-18]FLUORODOPAMINE WITH A SYNTHETIC UNIT MADE UP OF PRIMARILY STERILE DISPOSABLE COMPONENTS AND OPERATED BY A MASTER SLAVEMANIPULATOR

A synthetic procedure for the routine preparation of 6-[F-18]fluorodop amine has been developed. The synthesis is based on electrophilic fluo rination of a 6-mercurated dopamine precursor. Fluorodemercuration of the dopamine precursor using [F-18]acetylhypofluorite and hydrolysis b y a mixture of acetic anhydride and HI gave the desired radiopharmaceu tical with a radiochemical yield of 13.7 +/- 0.7% calculated at the en d of synthesis based on five synthetic preparations (without decay cor rection) and also based on the amount of total [F-18]F2 recovered from the target. Radiochemical purity as well as chemical purity were > 98 %. In order to maintain good sterility and pyrogenicity, the synthetic unit is made up of mostly sterile disposable components that are read ily available. The routine operations of the synthetic unit are carrie d out in a closed hot cell, using a Master Slave Manipulator arm. Sinc e no manual handling of radioactivity is involved, the operation of th e synthetic unit is radiation safe and the radiation exposure to the o perator is minimized.