Cu(I)-mediated 18F-trifluoromethylation of arenes: Rapid synthesis of 18F-labeled trifluoromethyl arenes

This report is concerned with an efficient, Cu-I-mediated method for the radiosynthesis of [F-18] trifluoromethyl arenes, abundant motifs in small molecule drug candidates and potential radiotracers for positron emission tomography. Three F-18-labelled radiotracer candidates were synthesised from [F-18] fluoride ions as proof of principle. The new protocol is widely applicable for the synthesis of novel radiotracers in high radiochemical yields.