• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2011

An efficient nucleophilic [$^{18}F$]fluorination has been studied to reduce byproducts and preparation time. Instead of conventional aqueous solution of $K_2CO_3-K_{222}$, several organic solution containing inert organic salts were used to release [$^{18}F$]fluoride ion and anion bases captured in the polymer cartridge, concluding that methanol solution is the best choice. Comparing to azeotropic drying process, one min was sufficient to remove methanol completely, resulting in about 10% radioactivity saving by reducing drying time. The polymer cartridge, Chromafix$^{(R)}$ (PS-$HCO_3$) was pretreated with several anion bases to displace pre-loaded bicarbonate base. Phosphate bases showed better results than carbonate bases in terms of lower basicity. tert-Butanol solvent used as a reaction media played another critical role in nucleophilic [18F]fluorination by suppressing eliminated side product. Consequent [$^{18}F$]fluorination under the present condition afforded fast preparation of reaction solution and high radiochemical yields (98% radio-TLC, 84% RCY) with 94% of precursor remained.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2019

Fluorine-18 is considered to be the radionuclide of choice for positron emission tomography (PET). Thus, the development of small molecule-based radiopharmaceuticals for use in diagnostic imaging relies heavily on efficient radiofluorination techniques. Until the early 2000s, diaryliodonium salts and aryliodonium ylides were widely employed as labeling precursors to yield aromatic PET radiotracers with cyclotron-produced [¹⁸F]fluoride ion. Rapid recent progress in the development of efficient borylation methods has led to a paradigm shift in ¹⁸F-labeling methods. In addition, deoxyfluorination has attracted a great deal of interest as an alternative approach to aryl ring activation with ¹⁸F^-. In this review, methods for radiolabel development are discussed with a specific focus on the progress made in the last 5 years. Other interesting ¹⁸F-based protocols are also briefly introduced. New methods for exploiting ¹⁸F^- are expected to increase the number of ¹⁸F-labeling methods, to allow applications in a range of chemical environments.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2021

Fluorine-18 is by far the most widely exploited radionuclide in PET (positron emission tomography) radiochemistry. The physical half-life of fluorine-18 allows for chemical manipulation within a restricted timeframe, and cyclotron-produced fluoride ion has been widely applied in aliphatic and aromatic nucleophilic radiofluorinations to produce a variety of established radiotracers. Radiotracers have become more structurally complicated to address diverse targets in physiobiological systems. There is therefore an unmet need to complement traditional C-¹⁸F bond-forming radiofluorination with new and efficient radiolabeling techniques to tackle the myriad of possible chemical environments. This review discusses recent advances in organometallic fluorine-18 bond creation in ¹⁸F-radiochemistry. Although not widely employed, new radiolabeling strategies for constructing boron-¹⁸F, silicon-¹⁸F, aluminum-¹⁸F, and other metal-¹⁸F bonds are described in view of their potential use in the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2017

Nucleophilic aromatic fluorination has been one of the most explored methods in fluorin-18 based radiochemistry. Unlike electrophilic $[^{18}F]$fluorination methods, no-carrier-added nucleophilic radiofluorination with cyclotron-produced $[^{18}F]$fluoride ion offers better specific radioactivity which is essential aspect to obtain good quality images from positron emission tomography. Contrary to amenable aliphatic radiofluorination, the development of reliable aromatic $[^{18}F]$fluorination methods has been pursued by many research groups; however, no viable method has yet been established. Recently, hypervalent iodine compound draws increasing attention as versatile radiolabeling precursor for various $[^{18}F]$fluoroarenes, since it bears the capacity to introduce fluorine-18 either on electron-deficient or electron-rich aryl ring with enhanced regiospecificity. Other classes of hypervalent iodine congeners often utilized in radiochemistry are iodylarenes, iodonium ylides, and spirocyclic iodonium ylides. Recently developed spirocyclic iodonium ylides have already been avidly employed to provide various $[^{18}F]$aryl fluorides with high labeling efficiency. This metal-free protocol would afford efficient routes, replacing the traditional approaches to $[^{18}F]$fluoroarenes, from prosthetic labeling synthons to complex PET radiotracers.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2022

The development of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agents has been motivated because coronary artery disease has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide since the 1960s. Several positron emission tomography (PET) MPI agents were developed, and ¹⁸F-labeled phosphonium cations were reported actively among them. In this study, we synthesized novel ¹⁸F-labeled phosphonium cations, (5-[¹⁸F]fluoropentyl)diphenyl(pyridin-2-yl)phosphonium and (2-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethoxy)ethyl)diphenyl(pyridin-2-yl)phosphonium, and evaluated potential as MPI agents. Two labeled compounds were synthesized via nucleophilic substitution reactions of ¹⁸F-fluoride with the appropriate tosylate precursor in the presence of Kryptofix 2.2.2 and K₂CO₃. MicroPET studies were performed in normal rats to evaluate in vivo distribution of radiolabeled phosphonium cations for 60 min. The radiolabeled compounds were synthesized with 5%-10% yield. The radiochemical purity of labeled compounds was > 98% by analytical HPLC, and the specific activity was > 11.8 GBq/µmol. The result of microPET studies of these labeled compounds in rats showed intense uptake in the myocardium at 30 and 60 min. The results suggest that these ¹⁸F-labeled novel phosphonium cations would have potential as promising candidates for myocardial perfusion imaging.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 1994

In order to develop a $^{18}F$-labelled myocardial perfusion agent(flow tracer) for PET, $^{18}F$-labelled organic ammonium cations were synthesized and evaluated in relation to their biodistribution. Five quaternary organic ammonium compounds were labelled with $^{18}F$ in a side chain with moderate to good yields by direct introduction of $^{18}F$-fluoride. Radiochemical yields have been achieved in 30-40min by the precursors (tosylates) in dimethylsulfoxide 15-60% (decay corrected). The reaction was found to be autocatalyzed. A remote controlled procedure was developed in these synthesis. $^{18}F$-Labelling and HPLC-purification of com-pounds needed about 60 min(Yield; 7-20%). Up to now the two compounds N-4-[$^{18}F$]fluorobutyl-pyridinium cation(1) and N, N dibenzyl-4(2-[$^{18}F$]fluoroethyl)piperidinium cation(2) were investigated in relation to their biodistribution in mice. Compound 1 showed at 1 min post injection the high uptake of 19.22% ID/g organ in the myocardium but a following fast decline to 1.12% ID/g organ after 40min. Uptake of compound 2 was after 1min in the heart 5.90% ID/g organ but after 40min at the relative high value of 4.33% ID/g organ. Heart:blood ratio for compound(1) at 1 min was 8.3, at 40 min 2.6 for compound II 2.0(1min) and 15.0(40 min). As data of compound 2 showed greater heart uptake, slower myocardial release, and higher heart: blood ratios, compound 2 is a good candidate for further evaluation.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.145-149
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: ¹⁸F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT) has been proven to be useful in identification of microcalcifications, which are stimulated by inflammation. Blood speckle imaging (BSI) is a new imaging technology used for tracking the flow of blood cells using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We evaluated the relationship between turbulent flow identified by BSI and inflammatory activity of the aortic valve (AV) as indicated by the ¹⁸F-NaF uptake index in moderate aortic stenosis (AS) patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 18 moderate AS patients diagnosed within the past 6 months. BSI within the aortic root was acquired using long-axis view TEE. The duration of laminar flow and the turbulent flow area ratio were calculated by BSI to demonstrate the degree of turbulence. The maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmax, SUVmean) and the total microcalcification burden (TMB) as measured by ¹⁸F-NaF PET/CT were used to demonstrate the degree of inflammatory activity in the AV region. RESULTS: The mean SUVmean, SUVmax, and TMB were 1.90 ± 0.79, 2.60 ± 0.98, and 4.20 ± 2.18 mL, respectively. The mean laminar flow period and the turbulent area ratio were 116.1 ± 61.5 msec and 0.48 ± 0.32. The correlation between SUVmax and turbulent flow area ratio showed the most positive and statistically significant correlation, with a Pearson's correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.658 and a p-value of 0.014. CONCLUSIONS: The high degree of trans-aortic turbulence measured by BSI was correlated with severe AV inflammation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.533-540
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• 1995

Attenuation correction is important in producing quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) images. Conventionally, photon attenuation effects are corrected using transmission measurements performed before tracer administration. The pre-injection transmission measurement approach may require a time delay between transmission and emission scans for the tracer studies requiring a long uptake period, about 45 minutes for F-18 deoxyglucose study. The time delay will limit patient throughput and increase the likelihood of patient motion. A technique lot performing simultaneous transmission and emission scans (T+E method) after the tracer injection has been validated. The T+E method substracts the emission counts contaminating the transmission measurements to produce accurate attenuation correction coefficients. This method has been evaluated in experiments using a cylindrical phantom filled with background water (5750 cc) containing $0.4{\mu}Ci/cc$ of F-18 fluoride ion and one insert cylinder (276 cc) containing $4.3{\mu}Ci/cc$. GE $Advance^{TM}$ PET scanner and Ge-68 rotating pin sources for transmission scanning were used for this investigation. Post-injection transmission scan and emission scan were peformed alternatively over time. The error in emission images corrected using post-infection transmission scan to emission images corrected transmission scan was 2.6% at the concentration of $1.0{\mu}Ci/cc$. No obvious differences in image quality and noise were apparent between the two images. The attenuation correction can be accomplished with post-injection transmission measurement using rotating pin sources and this method can significantly shorten the time between transmission and omission scans and thereby reduce the likelihood of patient motion and increase scanning throughput in PET.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.527-536
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• 1999

Purpose: Radiotracers that bind to the central benzodiazepine receptor are useful for the investigation of various neurological and psychiatric diseases. [C-11]Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, is the most widely used radioligand for central benzodiazepine receptor imaging by PET. We synthesized 3-(2-[F-18]fluoro)flumazenil, a new fluorine-18 ($t_{1/2}$= 110 min) labeled analogue of benzodiazepine receptor imaging agent, and evaluated in vivo for biodistribution in mice. Materials and Methods: Flumazenil (Ro 15-1788) was synthesized by a modification of the reported method. Precursor of 3-(2-[F-18]fluoro)flumazenil, the tosylated flumazenil derivative was prepared by the tosylation of the ethyl ester by ditosylethane. [F-18] labeling of tosyl substitued flumazenil precursor was performed by adding F-18 ion at $85^{\circ}C$ in the hot ceil for 20 min. The reaction mixture was trapped by C18 cartridge, washed with 10% ethanol, and eluted by 40% ethanol. Bidistribution in mice was determined after intravenous injection. Results: The total chemical yield of tosylated flumazenil derivative was ${\sim}40%$. The efficiency of labeling 3-(2-[F-18]fluoro)flumazenil was 66% with a total synthesis time of 50 min. Brain uptakes of 3-(2-[F-18]fluoro)flumazenil at 10, 30, 60 min after injection, were $2.5{\pm}0.37,\;2.2{\pm}0.26,\;2.1{\pm}0.11$ and blood activities were $3.7{\pm}0.43,\;3.3{\pm}0.07,\;3.3{\pm}0.09%ID/g$, respectively. Conclusion: We synthesized a tosylated flumazenil derivative which was successfully labeled with no-carrier-added F-18 by nucleophilic substitution.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2009

Purpose: 2-[$^{18}F$]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([$^{18}F$]FDG) particularly plays as a important role in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging in nuclear medicine. Domestic [$^{18}F$]FDG auto synthesizers are installed in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) at June 2008, these modules were known that it's synthetic yields were guaranteed in average $45{\pm}5%$ so far. To improve yields and convenience of domestic [$^{18}F$]FDG auto synthesizer, numerous trials in reaction time, base concentration, pressure and temperature were performed to increase [$^{18}F$]FDG yields. Materials and Methods: Several synthetic factors (temperature, time and pressure) and shortcoming were corrected based on many evaporation test. Syringe dispensing of tetra-butylammonium bicarbonate (TBAB) was replaced with micro pipette to prepare tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride salt ([$^{18}F$]TBAF). Troublesome refill of liquid nitrogen every 2 hours which was used to protect vacuum system was changed to charcoal cartridge, base guard filter. To monitor the volume of delivered $[^{18}O]OH_2$ from cyclotron by surveillance camera, we set up the volumetric vial on the cover of the module. In addition to, the recovery vial was added in [$^{18}F$]FDG production system to recover [$^{18}F$]FDG loss due to the leak of valve ($V_{13,14}$) in [$^{18}F$]FDG purification process. Results: When we used micro pipette for adding TBAB ($30\;{\mu}L$ in 12% $H_2O$ in acetonitrile), this quantitative dispensation has enabled to improve $5.5{\pm}1.7%$ residual fluorine-18 activity in fluorine separation cartridge compared to syringe adding. Besides, the synthetic yields of [$^{18}F$]FDG has increased $58{\pm}2.6%$ (n=19), $58{\pm}2.9%$ (n=14), $60%{\pm}2.5%$ (n=17) for 3 months. The life cycle of charcoal cartridge and base vacuum was 3 months prior to filling liquid nitrogen every 2 hours and additional side separator can prevent pump corrosion by organic solvent. After setting of volumetric indicator vial, the operator can easily monitor the total volume of irradiated $[^{18}O]OH_2$ from cyclotron. The recovery vial can be used for the stabilizer when an irregular [$^{18}F$]FDG loss was generated by the leak of valves ($V_{13,14}$). Conclusions: We has optimized appropriate synthetic conditions (temperature, time, pressure) in domestic [$^{18}F$]FDG auto synthesizer. In addition to, the remodeling with several accessories improve yields of domestic [$^{18}F$]FDG auto synthesizer with reliable reproducibility.