Purification of 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose by on-chip solid-phase extraction

Microfluidic devices have shown great potential for the production of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers, but most devices have focused only on the synthesis step of the procedure, typically neglecting the other important steps such as [18F]fluoride pre-concentration and radiotracer purification that could equally benefit from miniaturisation. Here, we demonstrate the development of microfluidic modules for the purification of PET radiotracers, particularly 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG), via the use of on-chip solid-phase extraction (SPE). In these initial tests, the SPE modules were able to yield [18F]FDG with up to 90% radiochemical purity, and methods are proposed for further increasing this value.

► Microfluidic modules were prepared containing solid-phase extraction resin. ► The modules were applied to the purification of [18F]FDG radiotracer. ► [18F]FDG prepared via commercial device and the Radiochemistry-On-Chip platform. ► First example of on-chip [18F]FDG purification, with 86–90% purity achieved.