THE SYNTHESIS OF [F-18] FLUOROARENES FROM THE REACTION OF CYCLOTRON-PRODUCED [F-18] FLUORIDE-ION WITH DIARYLIODONIUM SALTS

Diaryliodonium salts have been shown to react with fluoride ion at 80 degrees C in acetonitrile to generate aryl fluorides. The regioselecti vity is controlled electronically and by the bulk of the ortho-substit uents on the rings, with the latter the dominant factor such that elec tron-rich rings can be fluorinated. ortho-Substituted aryl fluorides c an be selectively produced from unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts. Th e process has been used to synthesise [F-18] labelled aromatics by the use of cyclotron generated [F-18]fluoride ion.