An automated synthesizer for electrochemical 18F-fluorination of organic compounds

Electrochemical ¹⁸F-fluorination of organic compounds provides a means to synthesize Positron-Emission-Tomography (PET) tracers difficult to obtain otherwise. Here, the first automated synthesizer that enables radiolabeling through carrier-added electrochemical ¹⁸F-fluorination is described. The system provides capabilities for all necessary operations such as drying of cyclotron derived [¹⁸F]fluoride, electrochemical incorporation of the radioisotope into a precursor molecule, subsequent reactions such as protecting group removals, HPLC-purification and formulation of the final tracer. Demonstrated is the aliphatic electrochemical ¹⁸F-fluorination of methyl 2-(phenylthio)acetate.