The synthesis of a new probe for PET imaging reporter gene HSV1-tk:: 2-amino-6-[18F] fluoro-9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbutyl) purine (6-[18F]fluoropenciclovir)

The one step radiosynthesis of 2-amino-6-[F-18]fluoro-9-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethylbutyl) purine (6-[F-18]fluoropenciclovir) 6 is reported. Radiolabeled product 6-[F-18]fluoropenciclovir 6 was prepared by radiofluorination of compound 4 with [F-18]KF and isolated by a silica Sep-Pak cartridge. The radiochemical yield of compound 6 was 45-55% decay corrected (d.c.) in six runs with radiochemical purity > 98% and the radiosynthesis time was 35-42 min from end of bombardment (EOB). Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.