A PRACTICAL METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF [C-11] ACETATE

For the production of [C-11]acetate a simple method is described, whic h is easy to automate since no solvent extraction or distillation is r equired. The major step is the trapping of [C-11]acetate on a short an ion-exchange column after the chloride ions have been removed with a s ilver column. Organic solvent and radiochemical byproducts such as C-1 1-acetone and [C-11]t-butanol pass this anion-exchange column and are found in the waste. The [C-11]acetate is eluted from the column with a n injectable citrate buffer. A run requires about 15 min to give [C-11 ]acetate ready for injection in a radiochemical yield of 60-65% and a purity of >99%.