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 [11C]carboxylation, on-column and bubbling [11C]methylation was essential for reliable, day-to-day production of [11C]-labelled PET radiopharmaceuticals. We developed an in-house apparatus specifically applied to the synthesis of [11C]acetate, [11C]choline, [11C]methionine and 2-(4′-N-[11C]methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole ([11C]PIB), where high radiochemical purity (⩾97%) and moderate radiochemical yields (18% for [11C]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 [11C]-labelled radiopharmaceuticals.