Copper-Catalyzed [18F]Fluorination of (Mesityl)(aryl)iodonium Salts

A practical, rapid, and highly regioselective Cu-catalyzed radiofluorination of (mesityl)(aryl)iodonium salts is described. This protocol utilizes [F-18]KF to access F-18-labeled electron-rich, -neutral, and -deficient aryl fluorides under a single set of mild conditions. This methodology is applied to the synthesis of protected versions of two important radiotracers: 4-[F-18]-fluorophenylalanine and 6-[F-18]fluoroDOPA.