Simple and efficient synthesis of 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl triflate for high yield (18)fluoroethylation.

Abstract The [ 18 F]fluoroethyl moiety has been widely utilized in the synthesis of 18 F-labelled compounds. The aim of this work was the reliable synthesis of [ 18 F]FEtOTf with a novel strategy to increase the reactivity of the commonly used [ 18 F]FEB and [ 18 F]FEtOTos. [ 18 F]FEtOTf and the intermediate [ 18 F]FEtOH were synthesized in high RCY (78% and 85%, respectively) and purified by SPE. The high potency of [ 18 F]FEtOTf was shown by the efficient alkylation of the deactivated nucleophile aniline under mild conditions, as well as by the synthesis of [ 18 F]FEC.