Preparation of 18F-fluciclovine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the production of [.sup.18F]-FACBC which has advantages over know such methods. Also provided by the present invention is a system to carry out the method of the invention and a cassette suitable for carrying out the method of the invention on an automated radiosynthesis apparatus.

Claims

1. A system for carrying out a method to prepare 1-amino-3-[.sup.18F]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([.sup.18F]-FACBC) comprising: (a) a solid phase having compound of Formula II adsorbed on its surface ##STR00011## wherein: PG.sup.1 is a carboxy protecting group; and, PG.sup.2 is an amine protecting group; (b) a source of PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent to be reacted with said compound of Formula II; (c) a source of elution solution to be passed through said solid phase to obtain an eluted compound of Formula III: ##STR00012## (d) a source of PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent to be reacted with said compound of Formula III to obtain a reaction mixture comprising [.sup.18F]-FACBC; (e) a reaction container; and, (f) a waste means; wherein said system further comprises means permitting sequential flow from: (i) (e) to (a); (ii) (b) to (a); (iii) (a) to (f); (iv) (c) to (e) via (a); and, (v) (d) to (e).

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said compound of Formula II is a compound of Formula IIa: ##STR00013## wherein PG.sup.1 and PG.sup.2 are as defined in claim 1.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein PG.sup.1 is ethyl.

4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein PG.sup.2 is t-butoxycarbonyl.

5. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said solid phase is a tC18 solid phase extraction (SPE) column.

6. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is NaOH.

7. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is HCl.

8. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said elution solution is water.

9. The system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a hydrophilic lipophilic balanced (HLB) solid phase to purify said 1-amino-3-[18F]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid.

10. The system as defined in claim 9 further comprising a second purification means comprising an alumina solid phase.

11. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system is suitable for use with an automated radiosynthesis apparatus.

12. A system for carrying out said method to prepare 1-amino-3-[.sup.18F]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([.sup.18F]-FACBC) comprising the system as defined in claim 1 and further comprising: (g) a source of a precursor compound of Formula I ##STR00014## wherein: LG is a leaving group; PG.sup.1 as defined in claim 1; and, PG.sup.2 is as defined in claim 1; and, (h) a source of [.sup.18F]fluoride.

13. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said compound of Formula I is a compound of Formula Ia: ##STR00015## wherein LG is as defined in claim 12, PG.sup.1 is as defined in claim 1, and PG.sup.2 is as defined in claim 1.

14. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein LG is trifluoromethanesulfonate.

15. A cassette comprising the system as defined in claim 9 for use on an automated synthesis apparatus.

16. A cassette comprising the system as defined in claim 1 for use on an automated synthesis apparatus.

17. A cassette comprising the system as defined in claim 10 for use on an automated synthesis apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In one aspect the present invention provides a method to prepare 1-amino-3-[.sup.18F]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid ([.sup.18F]-FACBC) wherein said method comprises: (a) providing a compound of Formula II adsorbed to a solid phase:

(2) ##STR00003## wherein: PG.sup.1 is a carboxy protecting group; and, PG.sup.2 is an amine protecting group; (b) reacting said adsorbed compound of Formula II with a PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent; (c) sending the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent to waste following said reacting step (b); (d) passing an elution solution through said solid phase to obtain an eluted compound of Formula III:

(3) ##STR00004## (e) reacting said eluted compound of Formula III obtained in step (d) with a PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent to obtain a reaction mixture comprising [.sup.18F]-FACBC.

(4) The solid phase used in step (a) of the method of the invention is contained within a solid phase extraction (SPE) column. Suitably, said solid phase is one having a hydrophobic functional group such as phenyl, cyclohexyl and alkyl, for example one having a structure comprising a support to which C.sub.2-18 alkyl groups are attached via silicon. In a preferred embodiment, the SPE column is filled with a solid phase having octadecylsilyl groups as functional groups. Moreover, it is preferable to use a column packing having a structure in which the functional groups are not easily detached from the solid phase under aqueous reaction conditions and/or during a long deesterification reaction. In one embodiment the SPE column is a tC18 column.

(5) The compound of Formula II is relatively hydrophobic and therefore has a strong affinity for the solid phase and therefore binds to, or becomes adsorbed, to said solid phase by virtue of hydrophobic interactions.

(6) The term protecting group refers to a group which inhibits or suppresses undesirable chemical reactions, but which is designed to be sufficiently reactive that it may be cleaved from the functional group in question to obtain the desired product under mild enough conditions that do not modify the rest of the molecule. Protecting groups are well known to those skilled in the art and are described in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Theorodora W. Greene and Peter G. M. Wuts, (Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2007).

(7) The term reacting refers to bringing two or more chemical substances (typically referred to in the art as reactants or reagents) together to result in a chemical change in one or both/all of the chemical substances. For example, in the present invention, the step of reacting a PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent with an adsorbed compound of Formula II changes said compound of Formula II to a compound of Formula III.

(8) The PG.sup.1 carboxy protecting group is preferably linear or branched C.sub.1-10 alkyl chain an aryl substituent. The term alkyl used either alone or as part of another group is defined as any straight, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 group. term aryl refers to any C.sub.6-14 molecular fragment or group which is derived from a monocyclic or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, or a monocyclic or polycyclic heteroaromatic hydrocarbon. In one embodiment of the method of the invention PG.sup.1 is selected from methyl, ethyl, t-butyl and phenyl. In another embodiment of the PG.sup.1 is methyl or ethyl and in yet another embodiment PG.sup.1 is ethyl.

(9) The PG.sup.2 amine protecting group suitably prevents reaction between .sup.18F and the amino group in the process of providing the compound of Formula II. Examples of suitable amine protecting groups include various carbamate substituents, various amide substituents, various imide substituents, and various amine substituents. Preferably, the amine protecting group is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C.sub.2-7 alkyloxycarbonyl substituents, linear or branched C.sub.3-7 alkenyloxycarbonyl substituents, C.sub.7-12 benzyloxycarbonyl substituents that may have a modifying group, C.sub.2-7 alkyldithiooxycarbonyl substituents, linear or branched C.sub.1-6 alkylamide substituents, linear or branched C.sub.2-6 alkenylamide substituents, C.sub.6-11 benzamide substituents that may have a modifying group, C.sub.4-10 cyclic imide substituents, C.sub.6-11 aromatic imine substituents that may have a substituent, linear or branched C.sub.1-6 alkylamine substituents, linear or branched C.sub.2-6 alkenylamine substituents, and C.sub.6-11 benzylamine substituents that may have a modifying group. In some embodiments of the invention PG.sup.2 is selected from t-butoxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl, phthalimide, and N-benzylideneamine. In other embodiments PG.sup.2 is selected from t-butoxycarbonyl or phthalimide. In one embodiment of the invention PG.sup.2 is t-butoxycarbonyl.

(10) A PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is a reagent capable of removing the carboxy protecting group PG.sup.1 from the compound of Formula II during the reacting step (b). Suitable carboxy deprotecting agents are well-known to the skilled person (see Greene and supra) and may be either an acid or an alkaline solution. The concentration of the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is not limited as long as it is sufficient to remove the carboxy protecting group PG.sup.1 and does not have an effect on the final purity or is incompatible with any container used. Preferably the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is an alkaline solution. In certain embodiments the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is a sodium hydroxide or a potassium hydroxide solution and in a preferred embodiment is a sodium hydroxide solution, for example of 0.5-5.0 M, preferably 0.5-2.0 M. The reacting step is enabled by closing the outlet of the SPE column so that the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is retained therein for a specified amount of time. The temperature and the duration of this reacting step need to be sufficient to permit removal of the PG.sup.1 carboxy deprotecting group. In certain embodiments the reacting step is carried out at room temperature and for a duration of between 1-5 minutes.

(11) The step of sending the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent to waste means that once step (b) is complete (i.e. PG.sup.1 is removed from the compound of Formula II), the PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is allowed to pass through the SPE column and is routed out of the reaction system so that it is no longer part of the reaction mixture. An additional benefit is that any impurities soluble in the deprotection solution are also routed out of the reaction system. The PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent is therefore substantially removed from the reaction mixture for subsequent steps (d) and (e). As used herein, the term substantially refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is substantially enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. For example in the case of removal of the PG.sup.1 deprotecting group, the term substantially removed can be taken to mean in the PG.sup.2 deprotection step (e) that only sufficient PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is required to remove PG.sup.2, i.e. it is not required to add extra ion to counter the level of ion present from the PG.sup.1 deprotecting step (b).

(12) The elution solution of step (d) is suitably one for which the compound of Formula III has more affinity than it has for the solid phase. Suitably, because said compound of Formula III is relatively hydrophilic compared with said solid phase, said elution solution is a hydrophilic solution. In some embodiments of the invention said elution solution is an aqueous solution and in other embodiments said elution solution is water.

(13) The PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is a reagent capable of removing the amine protecting group PG.sup.2 from the compound of Formula III during the reacting step (e). Suitable such amine deprotecting agents are well-known to the skilled person (see Greene and Wuts, supra) and may be either an acid or an alkaline solution. The concentration of the PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is not limited as long as it is sufficient to remove the carboxy protecting group PG.sup.2. Preferably the PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is an acid solution. A suitable acid preferably includes an acid selected from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid, and organic acids such as perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid, e.g. trifluoroacetic acid. In certain embodiments, the PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent is hydrochloric acid, and in other embodiments when HCl is used as PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent it is at a concentration of 1.0-4.0M. Reacting step (e) is preferably carried out with heat to allow the removal of PG.sup.2 reaction to proceed more rapidly. The reaction time depends on the reaction temperature or other conditions. For example, when the reacting step (e) is performed at 60 C., a sufficient reaction time is 5 minutes.

(14) In a preferred aspect, the [.sup.18F]-FACBC is trans-1-amino-3-[.sup.18]-fluorocyclobutanecarboxylic acid (anti-[.sup.18F]-FACBC):

(15) ##STR00005## said compound of Formula II is a compound of Formula IIa:

(16) ##STR00006##
and, said compound of Formula III is a compound of Formula IIIa:

(17) ##STR00007##

(18) wherein PG.sup.1 and PG.sup.2 are as described hereinabove.

(19) Said providing step (a) of the method of the invention may be carried out using methods known in the art, such as for example described by McConathy et al (2003 Appl Radiat Isotop; 58: 657-666).

(20) Suitably, said providing step (a) comprises: (i) reacting a precursor compound of Formula I:

(21) ##STR00008## with a suitable source of [.sup.18F]fluoride; wherein: LG is a leaving group; PG.sup.1 is as defined hereinabove; and, PG.sup.2 is as defined hereinabove; to obtain a reaction mixture comprising the compound of Formula II; (ii) applying the reaction mixture obtained in step (i) to a solid phase so that said compound of Formula II becomes adsorbed to said solid phase, wherein said solid phase is as defined hereinabove.

(22) A precursor compound comprises a non-radioactive derivative of a radiolabelled compound, designed so that chemical reaction with a convenient chemical form of the detectable label occurs site-specifically; can be conducted in the minimum number of steps (ideally a single step); and without the need for significant purification (ideally no further purification), to give the desired radiolabelled compound. Such precursor compounds are synthetic and can conveniently be obtained in good chemical purity.

(23) A suitable leaving group in the context of the present invention is a chemical group that can be displaced by nucleophilic displacement reaction with fluoride ion. These are well-known in the art of synthetic chemistry. In some embodiments the leaving group of the present invention is a linear or branched C.sub.1-10 haloalkyl sulfonic acid substituent, a linear or branched C.sub.1-10 alkyl sulfonic acid substituent, a fluorosulfonic acid substituent, or an aromatic sulfonic acid substituent. In other embodiments of the invention the leaving group is selected from methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, nitrobenzenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, fluorosulfonic acid, and perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid. In some embodiments the leaving group is either methanesulfonic acid, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid or toluenesulfonic acid and in another embodiment the leaving group is trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.

(24) In a preferred embodiment, said compound of Formula I is a compound of Formula Ia:

(25) ##STR00009## and said compound of Formula II is a compound of Formula IIa:

(26) ##STR00010## wherein LG, PG.sup.1 and PG.sup.2 are as previously defined herein.

(27) The source of [.sup.18F]fluoride suitable for use in the invention is normally obtained as an aqueous solution from the nuclear reaction .sup.18O(p,n).sup.18F. In order to increase the reactivity of fluoride and to reduce or minimise hydroxylated by-products resulting from the presence of water, water is typically removed from [.sup.18F]-fluoride prior to the reaction, and fluorination reactions are carried out using anhydrous reaction solvents (Aigbirhio et al 1995 J Fluor Chem; 70: 279-87). A further step that is used to improve the reactivity of [.sup.18F]-fluoride for radiofluorination reactions is to add a cationic counterion prior to the removal of water. Suitably, the counterion should possess sufficient solubility within the anhydrous reaction solvent to maintain the solubility of the [.sup.18F]-fluoride. Therefore, counterions that are typically used include large but soft metal ions such as rubidium or caesium, potassium complexed with a cryptand such as Kryptofix, or tetraalkylammonium salts, wherein potassium complexed with a cryptand such as Kryptofix, or tetraalkylammonium salts are preferred.

(28) In some embodiments the present invention additionally includes the further step (f) of purifying said reaction mixture obtained in step (e) to obtain substantially pure [.sup.18F]-FACBC.

(29) The term substantially as used in substantially pure takes the meaning as presented above. The term substantially pure as used in the context of [.sup.18F]-FACBC encompasses completely pure [.sup.18F]-FACBC or [.sup.18F]-FACBC that is sufficiently pure to be suitable for use as a PET tracer. The term suitable for use as a PET tracer means that the [.sup.18F]-FACBC product is suitable for intravenous administration to a mammalian subject followed by PET imaging to obtain one or more clinically-useful images of the location and/or distribution of [.sup.18F]-FACBC.

(30) In one embodiment, step (f) comprises: (i) carrying out a first purification step comprising passing said reaction mixture through a hydrophilic lipophilic balanced (HLB) solid phase; and, (ii) optionally carrying out a second purification step comprising passing said reaction mixture through an alumina solid phase.

(31) In certain embodiments of the present invention said purifying step (f) can be said to consist essentially of the above-defined steps. In particular, the purifying step (f) as used in the present invention does not require that the reaction mixture is passed through an ion retardation column. This is a notable distinction over the prior art methods where this is a required step in order to remove ions and to neutralise the reaction mixture (e.g. as described by McConathy et al, supra, and in EP 2 017 258 A1). As such, the method of the present invention is simplified over the prior art methods and as such is more suitable for automation. In a preferred embodiment the method of the invention is automated, and in this embodiment suitably carried out on an automated synthesis apparatus.

(32) In another aspect of the invention is provided a system for carrying out the method of the invention wherein said system comprises: (a) a solid phase as defined herein for the method of the invention; (b) a source of PG.sup.1 deprotecting agent herein for the method of the invention; (c) a source of elution solution as defined herein for the method of the invention; (d) a source of PG.sup.2 deprotecting agent as defined herein for the method of the invention; (e) a reaction container; and, (f) a waste means; wherein said system further comprises means permitting sequential flow from: (i) (e) to (a); (ii) (b) to (a); (iii) (a) to (f); (iv) (c) to (e) via (a); and, (v) (d) to (e).

(33) The reaction container is any vessel suitable for carrying out an .sup.18F labelling reaction.

(34) The term waste means refers for example to a dedicated vessel into which is sent any components of the reaction that are no longer required, along with associated tubing and valves permitting the transfer of these components away from the reaction.

(35) In particular, the system of the invention does not comprise an ion retardation column.

(36) In another embodiment, the system of the invention further comprises: (g) a source of said precursor compound of Formula I as defined herein; and, (h) a source of [.sup.18F]fluoride.

(37) In a further embodiment, the system of the present invention may also comprise (i) means for purifying said reaction mixture obtained in step (e) to obtain substantially pure [.sup.18F]-FACBC. Said means (i) in certain embodiments may comprise a HLB solid phase and an alumina solid phase.

(38) The system of the invention in one embodiment consists essentially of the above-described features.

(39) [.sup.18F]-radiotracers in particular are now often conveniently prepared on an automated radiosynthesis apparatus. The method of the invention may therefore be carried out using an automated radiosynthesis apparatus. By the term automated radiosynthesis apparatus is meant an automated module based on the principle of unit operations as described by Satyamurthy et al (1999 Clin Positr Imag; 2(5): 233-253). The term unit operations means that complex processes are reduced to a series of simple operations or reactions, which can be applied to a range of materials. Suitable automated synthesiser apparatus are commercially available from a range of suppliers including: GE Healthcare Ltd (Chalfont St Giles, UK); CTI Inc. (Knoxville, USA); Ion Beam Applications S.A. (Chemin du Cyclotron 3, B-1348 Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium); Raytest (Straubenhardt, Germany) and Bioscan (Washington D.C., USA).

(40) Commercial automated radiosynthesis apparatus also provide suitable containers for the liquid radioactive waste generated as a result of the radiopharmaceutical preparation. Automated radiosynthesis apparatus are not typically provided with radiation shielding, since they are designed to be employed in a suitably configured radioactive work cell. The radioactive work cell provides suitable radiation shielding to protect the operator from potential radiation dose, as well as ventilation to remove chemical and/or radioactive vapours.

(41) Preferred automated radiosynthesis apparatus of the present invention are those which comprise a disposable or single use cassette which comprises all the reagents, reaction vessels and apparatus necessary to carry out the preparation of a given batch of radiopharmaceutical. By use of such cassettes the automated radiosynthesis apparatus has the flexibility to be capable of making a variety of different radiopharmaceuticals with minimal risk of cross-contamination, by simply changing the cassette. The cassette approach also has the advantages of simplified set-up and hence reduced risk of operator error; improved GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance; multi-tracer capability; rapid change between production runs; pre-run automated diagnostic checking of the cassette and reagents; automated barcode cross-check of chemical reagents vs the synthesis to be carried out; reagent traceability; single-use and hence no risk of cross-contamination, tamper and abuse resistance.

(42) In a further aspect the present invention provides a cassette for carrying out the method of the invention on an automated synthesis apparatus wherein said cassette comprises the elements as defined for the system of the invention.

(43) For each aspect of the invention, features having the same name have all the same embodiments as described in relation to other aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

(44) Example 1 describes the synthesis of [.sup.18F]FACBC according to the method of the invention.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE EXAMPLES

(45) [.sup.18F]FACBC 1-amino-3-[.sup.18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid K222 Kryptofix 222 MeCN acetonitrile MeOH methanol QMA quaternary methyl ammonium RCY radiochemical yield SPE solid-phase extraction TLC thin layer chromatography UV ultraviolet

EXAMPLES

(46) All reagents and solvents were purchased from Merck and used without further purification. The [.sup.18F]FACBC precursor; Syn-1-(N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy]-cyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester was obtained from GE Healthcare. The Oasis HLB plus cartridge and the Sep-Pak cartridges: QMA light Plus (K.sub.2CO.sub.3 form), tC18 light, Alumina N light were purchased from Waters (Milford, Mass., USA). A Capintec NaI ion chamber was used for all radioactive measurements (model CRC15R). Radio-thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) was performed on a Packard instant imager using pre-coated plates of silica gel (Merck 60F.sub.254).

Example 1: Synthesis of [18F]FACBC

(47) No-carrier-added [.sup.18F]fluoride was produced via the .sup.18O (p,n).sup.18F nuclear reaction on a GE PETtrace 6 cyclotron (Norwegian Cyclotron Centre, Oslo). Irradiations were performed using a dual-beam, 30 A current on two equal Ag targets with HAVAR foils using 16.5 MeV protons. Each target contained 1.6 ml of 96% [.sup.18O]water (Marshall Isotopes). Subsequent to irradiation and delivery to a hotcell, each target was washed with 1.6 ml of [.sup.16O]water (Merck, water for GR analysis), giving approximately 2-5 Gbq in 3.2 ml of [.sup.16O]water.

(48) All radiochemistry was performed on a commercially available GE FASTlab with single-use cassettes. Each cassette is built around a one-piece-moulded manifold with 25 three-way stopcocks, all made of polypropylene. Briefly, the cassette includes a 5 ml reactor (cyclic olefin copolymer), one 1 ml syringe and two 5 ml syringes, spikes for connection with five prefilled vials, one water bag (100 ml) as well as various SPE cartridges and filters. Fluid paths are controlled with nitrogen purging, vacuum and the three syringes. The fully automated system is designed for single-step fluorinations with cyclotron-produced [.sup.18F]fluoride. The FASTlab was programmed by the software package in a step-by-step time-dependent sequence of events such as moving the syringes, nitrogen purging, vacuum, and temperature regulation. Synthesis of [.sup.18F]FACBC followed the three general steps: (a) [.sup.18F]fluorination, (b) hydrolysis of protection groups and (c) SPE purification.

(49) Vial A contained K.sub.222 (58.8 mg, 156 mol), K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (8.1 mg, 60.8 mol) in 79.5% (v/v) MeCN.sub.(aq) (1105 l). Vial B contained 4M HCl (2.0 ml). Vial C contained MeCN (4.1 ml). Vial D contained the precursor (48.4 mg, 123.5 mol) in its dry form (stored at 20 C. until cassette assembly). Vial E contained 2 M NaOH (4.1 ml). The 30 ml product collection glass vial was filled with 200 mM trisodium citrate (10 ml). Aqueous [.sup.18F]fluoride (1-1.5 ml, 100-200 Mbq) was passed through the QMA and into the .sup.18OH.sub.2O recovery vial. The QMA was then flushed with MeCN and sent to waste. The trapped [.sup.18F]fluoride was eluted into the reactor using eluent from vial A (730 l) and then concentrated to dryness by azeotropic distillation with acetonitrile (80 vial C). Approximately 1.7 ml of MeCN was mixed with precursor in vial D from which 1.0 ml of the dissolved precursor (corresponds to 28.5 mg, 72.7 mmol precursor) was added to the reactor and heated for 3 min at 85 C. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and sent through the tC18 cartridge. Reactor was washed with water and sent through the tC18 cartridge. The labelled intermediate, fixed on the tC18 cartridge was washed with water, and then incubated with 2M NaOH (2.0 ml) for 5 min after which the 2M NaOH was sent to waste. The labelled intermediate (without the ester group) was then eluted off the tC18 cartridge into the reactor using water. The BOC group was hydrolysed by adding 4M HCl (1.4 ml) and heating the reactor for 5 min at 60 C. The reactor content with the crude [.sup.18F]FACBC was sent through the HLB and Alumina cartridges and into the 30 ml product vial. The HLB and Alumina cartridges were washed with water (9.1 ml total) and collected in the product vial. Finally, 2M NaOH (0.9 ml) and water (2.1 ml) was added to the product vial, giving a purified formulation of [.sup.18F]FACBC with a total volume of 26 ml. Radiochemical purity was measured by radio-TLC using a mixture of MeCN:MeOH:H.sub.2O:CH.sub.3COOH (20:5:5:1) as the mobile phase. The radiochemical yield (RCY) was expressed as the amount of radioactivity in the [.sup.18F]FACBC fraction divided by the total used [.sup.18F]fluoride activity (decay corrected). Total synthesis time was 43 min.

(50) The RCY of [.sup.18F]FACBC was 62.5%1.93 (SD), n=4.