Rapid isolation of 197m,g Hg from proton irradiated Au foils

A new, rapid method for isolating no-carrier-added 197m,gHg from proton irradiated Au foils has been developed based on a commercially available crown ether-containing extraction chromatography resin, Eichrom Pb resin. The separation procedure allows for loading Au dissolved in Aqua Regia directly onto a pre-packed Pb resin column. Under these conditions Hg passes through the column and is isolated with a high separation factor from the Au target material, which is strongly retained on the resin.