Fully automated synthesis module for the high yield one-pot preparation of 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-DOPA

A fully automated one-pot synthesis of 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-DOPA, an important radiopharmaceutical for studies on the presynaptic dopamine metabolism with positron emission tomography,is described. 6-[F-18]Fluoro-L-DOPA was prepared in high radiochemical yield (33 +/- 4%, c.f.d.) and radiochemical purity (> 99%) in 45 min synthesis time by a fluorodestannylation reaction, followed by acidic removal of the protecting groups. CFCl3 was found to be a better solvent for the fluorodestannylation reaction than CHCl3 or acetonitrile. In CFCl3, [F-18]F-2 was a superior fluorinating agent over [F-18]acetyl hypofluorite. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.