Simple and efficient synthesis of 2-[18F]fluoroethyl triflate for high yield 18fluoroethylation

The [18F]fluoroethyl moiety has been widely utilized in the synthesis of 18F-labelled compounds. The aim of this work was the reliable synthesis of [18F]FEtOTf with a novel strategy to increase the reactivity of the commonly used [18F]FEB and [18F]FEtOTos. [18F]FEtOTf and the intermediate [18F]FEtOH were synthesized in high RCY (78% and 85%, respectively) and purified by SPE. The high potency of [18F]FEtOTf was shown by the efficient alkylation of the deactivated nucleophile aniline under mild conditions, as well as by the synthesis of [18F]FEC.