A method for the manufacture of highly purified .sup.68Ge material for radiopharmaceutical purposes. The invention particularly concerns the production of .sup.68Ge-API (API=Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) solution complying with the Guidelines for good manufacturing practices (GMP). Starting material for the method of the present invention can be a .sup.68Ge stock solution of commercial or other origin as raw material. Such .sup.68Ge containing raw solutions are purified from potential metal and organic impurities originating from production processes. The radiochemical method disclosed is based on a twofold separation of .sup.68Ge from organic and metallic impurities with two different adsorbent materials. During the first separation phase .sup.68Ge is purified from both organic and metallic impurities by adsorption in germanium tetrachloride form, after which hydrolyzed .sup.68Ge is purified from remaining metallic impurities by cation exchange. The final .sup.68Ge-API-product e.g. fulfills the regulatory requirements for specifications of the GMP production of .sup.68Ge/.sup.68Ga generators.

A method for the production of germane includes reacting an oxide of germanium and/or a non-oxide of germanium compound with a borohydride in a base solution. The method permits production of germane from impure germanium-containing starting materials. Catalysts for the reaction include transition metal elements, as well as oxides, hydroxides, halides, and other complexes or compounds of transition metals. Application of heat increases the efficiency of the catalyst. The methods also include production of germane through oxidation of a pure or impure oxide or non-oxide of germanium. The oxidation is effected by contacting the germanium-containing solid phase starting material with an oxidizing solution. The oxidizing solution may be a basic solution comprising a hydroxide or an acidic solution. The oxidation product of the germanium-containing solid phase starting material is converted to germane through an electrochemical or chemical reduction process.

A method for the manufacture of highly purified .sup.68Ge material for radiopharmaceutical purposes. The invention particularly concerns the production of .sup.68Ge-API (API=Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) solution complying with the Guidelines for good manufacturing practices (GMP). Starting material for the method of the present invention can be a .sup.68Ge stock solution of commercial or other origin as raw material. Such .sup.68Ge containing raw solutions are purified from potential metal and organic impurities originating from production processes. The radiochemical method disclosed is based on a twofold separation of .sup.68Ge from organic and metallic impurities with two different adsorbent materials. During the first separation phase .sup.68Ge is purified from both organic and metallic impurities by adsorption in germanium tetrachloride form, after which hydrolyzed .sup.68Ge is purified from remaining metallic impurities by cation exchange. The final .sup.68Ge-API-product e.g. fulfills the regulatory requirements for specifications of the GMP production of .sup.68Ge/.sup.68Ga generators.