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. - Highlights: • First automated radiosynthesizer for electrochemical ¹⁸F-fluorination of organic compounds. • Capabilities for [¹⁸F]fluoride processing, chemical transformations, purification and formulation. • Tailormade computer software for all operations of the system. • Rapid screening of reaction conditions facilitated by back-to-back run capabilities. • Late-stage fluorination capabilities for rapid development of PET-probes difficult to obtain by reagent-based strategies.