SYNTHESIS OF 6-[F-18]FLUORODOPAMINE WITH A SYNTHETIC UNIT MADE UP OF PRIMARILY STERILE DISPOSABLE COMPONENTS AND OPERATED BY A MASTER SLAVE MANIPULATOR

A synthetic procedure for the routine preparation of 6-[F-18]fluorodopamine has been developed. The synthesis is based on electrophilic fluorination of a 6-mercurated dopamine precursor. Fluorodemercuration of the dopamine precursor using [F-18]acetylhypofluorite and hydrolysis by a mixture of acetic anhydride and HI gave the desired radiopharmaceutical with a radiochemical yield of 13.7 +/- 0.7% calculated at the end of synthesis based on five synthetic preparations (without decay correction) and also based on the amount of total [F-18]F2 recovered from the target. Radiochemical purity as well as chemical purity were > 98%. In order to maintain good sterility and pyrogenicity, the synthetic unit is made up of mostly sterile disposable components that are readily available. The routine operations of the synthetic unit are carried out in a closed hot cell, using a Master Slave Manipulator arm. Since no manual handling of radioactivity is involved, the operation of the synthetic unit is radiation safe and the radiation exposure to the operator is minimized.