Synthesis of [C-11]iodomethane by iodination of [C-11]methane

[C-11]iodomethane was synthesized by iodination of[C-11]methane with iodine. The reaction was carried out in a system where [C-11]methane, helium and iodine vapours were mixed and heated. The formed [C-11]iodomethane was continuously removed from the reaction mixture and the unchanged [C-11]methane was recirculated into the reaction chamber by a pump. The decay-corrected radiochemical yield was 83% after a production time of 7 min (from trapped [C-11]methane). The specific radioactivity was better than 550 GBq/mu mol (15 Ci/mmol) at the end of the synthesis. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd