[C-11] ACETATE AND [C-11] ]METHIONINE - IMPROVED SYNTHESES AND QUALITY-CONTROL

Two C-11-labeled radiopharmaceuticals which are routinely used in clinical PET procedures are [C-11]acetate and [C-11]methionine. In implementing published procedures for their synthesis, modifications of the procedures and chemistry were made to create a more rapid and reproducible production process for routine clinical application. We report simplified methods which allow a single apparatus to be used for all C-11 syntheses which use methyl iodide, Grignard reagents, or acetone as labeled synthetic precursors. A reliable TLC quality control method for [C-11]acetate is also reported.