Fast and efficient microscale radiosynthesis of 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine

•[18F]FLT was synthesized on a micro-scale level.•Several factors on [18F]fluorination efficiency were examined.•[18F]FLT was prepared with higher radiochemical yield.•[18F]Fluorination efficiency can be changed by bulky alcohols.

Microscale radiosynthesis on a miniaturized device has been reported as a promising tool for positron emission tomography. Here, we studied miscroscale-level radiosynthetic conditions by examining several microscale reactions that affect the radiochemical yield of 3′-deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT). [18F]FLT was prepared with 3-N-Boc-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-3′-O-nosyl-thymidine using the cartridge purification method. [18F]FLT was prepared with a yield of 71%, and the product's purity was greater than 99%. Our results provide a new guideline for microscale [18F]FLT radiosynthesis.

Graphical abstractNovel microscale radiochemical synthesis of [18F]-3′-deoxy-3′-fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) with an enhanced yield is described.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide