COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SYNTHESIS OF [F-18] FDG BY THE TETRABUTYLAMMONIUMMETHOD - ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGH-YIELD, PURITY, REPRODUCIBILITY, RELIABILITY, AND SAFETY

We constructed a computer-controlled apparatus of no-carrier-added [F- 18]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F-18]FDG) synthesis for routine clinical use. High yield, high reproducibility, and high quality of the product were achieved. The main step of the reaction is nucleophilic fluorination of the synthetic precursor, acetylated mannose triflate, with an activ ator, tetrabutylammonium bicarbonate. A biologically high quality medi cinal environment (sterile and pyrogen-free) was achieved by employmen t of an inherently pyrodestructive chemical step within the process li ne and the use of pyrogen-free medical goods and heat-sterilized glass ware. [F-18]FDG was obtained in 70 min after EOB with a radiochemical yield of 57.7 +/- 5.7% (decay corrected) and with radiochemical purity of > 99%. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd