SYNTHESES OF 5-FLUORO-D/L-DOPA AND [F-18] 5-FLUORO-L-DOPA

This paper describes the synthesis of 5-fluoro-D/L-dopa and the corresponding [F-18]5-fluoro-L-dopa starting from 5-nitrovanillin via malonic ester synthesis, the Balz-Schiemann reaction and the separation of the racemic mixture [F-18]5-fluoro-D/L-dopa with a chiral HPLC system. The inactive 5-fluoro-D/L-dopa was obtained in an eight-step synthesis with an overall yield of 10%. For a reliable synthesis, the nitro group was reduced with hydrazine hydrate and ruthenium on charcoal.