A simple, versatile, low-cost and remotely operated apparatus for [11C]acetate, [11C]choline, [11C]methionine and [11C]PIB synthesis

A simple, efficient and remotely operated synthesis apparatus for carrying out routine [C-11]carboxylation, on-column and bubbling [C-11]methylation was essential for reliable, day-to-day production of [C-11]-labelled PET radiopharmaceuticals. We developed an in-house apparatus specifically applied to the synthesis of [C-11]acetate, [C-11]choline, [C-11]methionine and 2-(4'-N-[C-11]methylaminophenyl)6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([C-11]PIB), where high radiochemical purity (>= 97%) and moderate radiochemical yields (18% for [C-11]PIB, 41-55% for the others) could be achieved. These findings provided evidence that this was a fast, versatile and reliable apparatus suitable for a PET/CT centre with limited financial budget and hot cell space for synthesis of [C-11]-labelled radiopharmaceuticals. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.