Enzymatic synthesis of carbon-11 acetyl coenzyme A

An enzymatic synthesis of [11C]acetyl coenzyme A from [1-11C]acetate is described. 11CO2 was reacted with methyl-magnesium bromide in diethyl ether at 00C. The excess of Grignard reagent was hydrolyzed by adding methanol. After evaporation of the solvents, the residue was redissolved in hydrochloric acid and [1-11C]acetic acid was removed by acid distillation. In the presence of cofactors the [1-11C]-acetic acid was sent over an enzyme reactor containing immobilized acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (Acetate : CoA ligase (AMP forming); EC 6.2.1.1). (author)