Improved HPLC purification strategy for [11C]raclopride and [11C]DASB leading to high radiochemical yields and more practical high quality radiopharmaceutical formulations

•We proposed a simplified purification strategy for [11C]raclopride and [11C]DASB.•By using [11C]methyl triflate the amount of precursor could be minimized.•The purification was done using analytical HPLC columns and IV compatible solvents.•By minimizing the purification time we obtained high radiochemical yields.•In addition, the final formulation volume was substantially reduced.

A downscaled analytical HPLC purification strategy for [11C]raclopride and [11C]DASB was proposed to obtain a straightforward produced injectable solution with a substantially reduced volume. Both tracers were radiosynthesized using [11C]methyl triflate, and several analytical columns, in combination with ethanol containing eluents, were examined to optimize the chromatographic resolution. This resulted in a 5 mL solution of [11C]raclopride, obtained after 6 min, and a 7 mL solution of [11C]DASB, obtained after 10 min, using a C16-alkylamide and CN column respectively.