Efficient automated synthesis of 2-(5-[18F]fluoropentyl)-2-methylmalonic acid ([18F]ML-10) on a commercial available [18F]FDG synthesis module

[18F]ML-10 (2-(5-[18F]fluoro-pentyl)-2-methylmalonic acid) is a small molecule positron emission tomography (PET) probe for apoptosis imaging. Automated synthesis of [18F]ML-10 was developed by using two different purification methods through a direct saponification procedure on a modified commercial [18F]Fluoro-2-Deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) synthesizer. C18 purification method 1: The final [18F]ML-10 solution containing ethanol was obtained with radiochemical yields of 60±5% (n=5) at the end of bombardment (EOB) and radiochemical purity of 98% in 35 min. Al2O3 and SCX purification method 2: To avoid possible side effects of a conventional ethanol-containing formulation, an new ethanol-free solution of [18F]ML-10 was also developed, the radiochemical yields was 50±5% (n=5, EOB) within 45 min and the radiochemical purity was 98%.