2-[F-18]FLUOROPHENOL AND 4-[F-18]FLUOROPHENOL FROM BAEYER-VILLIGER OXIDATION OF [F-18] FLUOROPHENYLKETONES AND[F-18]FLUOROBENZALDEHYDES

2- or 4-[F-18]Fluorophenols were isolated with 28-40% radiochemical yi eld (decay corrected, purity > 98%, 35 min synthesis time) from [F-18] fluoroacetophenone and/or [F-18]fluorobenzophenone by a Baeyer-Villige r oxidation using m-chloroperbenzoic acid in the presence of trifluoro acetic acid at 120-130 degrees C for 15 min. This reagent was also abl e to transform [F-18]fluorobenzaldehydes into the corresponding phenol s in 23-25% radiochemical yield (decay corrected, 45 min synthesis tim e). In order to optimize the synthesis of [F-18]fluorophenols, the [F- 18]fluorination of nitrosubstituted benzaldehyde, acetophenone and ben zophenone was studied and the results compared with those previously p ublished. Under similar conditions 4-nitrobenzophenone was shown to be the most reactive substrate compared to nitrobenzaldehyde or nitroace tophenone.